1. Life
1.1. Birth and Family
Lee Jang-Moo was born on May 14, 1945. He comes from a family with a notable presence in academia and culture. His grandfather was Lee Byeong-do, a prominent historian. His paternal uncle, Lee Gi-ryeong, was a molecular biologist, and his father, Lee Chun-nyeong, served as a former Dean of the College of Agriculture at Seoul National University. His brother, Lee Geon-mu, previously held the position of Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea. Other paternal uncles include Lee Tae-ryeong and Lee Dong-nyeong, the latter being a nuclear physicist. The acclaimed artist Jang Uk-jin was his aunt's husband, and Lee Eo-ryeong, a respected intellectual and former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is his 9th degree uncle. According to the Ubong Lee clan genealogy, Lee Jang-Moo is a descendant of Lee Ju, who was the younger brother of Lee Gyo, the 16th great-granduncle of Yi Wan-yong, a controversial figure in Korean history.
1.2. Education
Lee Jang-Moo completed his secondary education at Gyeonggi High School. He then pursued his higher education at Seoul National University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He continued his studies in the United States, obtaining both a Master's degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering from Iowa State University. In recognition of his significant contributions and achievements, he has also been awarded honorary Doctor of Engineering degrees from international institutions, including Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania and Hokkaido University in Japan.
2. Career
Lee Jang-Moo's career spans decades of dedicated service in academia, educational administration, and national science policy. He has held numerous influential positions, demonstrating his leadership and expertise across various sectors.
2.1. Academic Career at Seoul National University
Lee Jang-Moo dedicated a significant portion of his academic career to Seoul National University. He served as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from July 1976 to August 2010. During this period, he also took on administrative responsibilities, serving as the Dean of the College of Engineering at Seoul National University from February 1997 to May 2002. Following his retirement from active professorship, he was appointed an Honorary Professor at Seoul National University in September 2010, a position he continues to hold.
2.2. Presidency of Seoul National University
Lee Jang-Moo was appointed the 24th President of Seoul National University, serving a four-year term from July 20, 2006, to July 19, 2010. He succeeded Chung Un-Chan in this prestigious role and was later succeeded by Oh Yeon-Cheon. During his presidency, he was responsible for leading one of South Korea's most prominent higher education institutions.
2.3. Leadership in Academia and Science Policy
Lee Jang-Moo has held an extensive array of leadership roles in various academic societies and has made significant contributions to national science and technology policy through his involvement in governmental and research bodies.
In academic societies, he served as the President of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering from January 1996 to December 1999, and as the President of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers from January 2000 to December 2000. He also led the Korean Society for New and Renewable Energy as its President from July 2004 to July 2006. Furthermore, he was the Vice President of the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies from March 2005 to February 2007 and the 13th President of the Korean Council for University Education from April 2007 to April 2008. From July 2014 to July 2020, he was a member of the Natural Sciences Division III of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Korea, serving as its Vice President from August 2020 to March 2021, and has been its President since April 2021.
His contributions to national science and technology policy include serving as the President of the National Council of Deans of Engineering Colleges from April 1998 to April 2000. He was a member of the National Science and Technology Advisory Council from May 1998 to May 1999 and chaired the University Education Subcommittee of the Education, Science and Technology Ministry from November 1998 to October 2000. He was also the Chairman of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation and Planning from June 1999 to June 2005 and a member of the Science and Technology Management Committee under the Education, Science and Technology Ministry from June 1999 to May 2003. Other key roles include Chairman of the National Science Museum Promotion Committee from November 2001 to August 2006, Chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Major Business Evaluation Committee for the Education, Science and Technology Ministry in 2002, and Chairman of the Technology Impact Assessment Committee for the same ministry from July 2003 to June 2004. He chaired the Supreme Court Justice Nomination Advisory Committee from July 2008 to July 2009. More recently, he served as the Private Sector Chairman of the National Science and Technology Council from July 2013 to 2017, and then as its Chairman from July 2014 to July 2017. From November 2013 to April 2020, he chaired the Board of Trustees for the KAIST.
Beyond these, he was the Chairman of the Climate Change Center from April 2010 to November 2015 and currently serves as an Advisor to the center. He has also been the Chairman of the Kyung-Ahm Academic Award Committee since September 2010 and an Advisor to the Seoul National University Alumni Association.
2.4. International Engagements
Lee Jang-Moo's professional activities have extended internationally. He served as a visiting researcher at the MIT in the United States from December 1982 to December 1983, engaging in collaborative research and academic exchange. More recently, he assumed the role of President of the Asian Academic Conference in May 2021, further solidifying his influence and connections within the global academic community.
3. Books
Lee Jang-Moo is the author of a notable academic publication titled Mechanical Vibration (기계진동학Gigye Jin-dong-hakKorean). This book reflects his expertise in the field of mechanical engineering and serves as a foundational text for students and researchers.
4. Awards and Honors
Throughout his distinguished career, Lee Jang-Moo has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his significant contributions to mechanical engineering and scientific research. These include:
- Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers Academic Award (1985)
- Korean Society of Automotive Engineers Academic Award (1996)
- Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies Excellent Paper Award (1996)
- Korean Society of Precision Engineering Grand Prize (2004)
- 50th National Academy of Sciences Award (2005)
5. Evaluation
Lee Jang-Moo's career is widely recognized for his profound academic achievements, his effective leadership as an educational administrator, and his substantial contributions to the advancement of science and technology in South Korea. As a mechanical engineer, his work has been acknowledged through prestigious awards, reflecting his scholarly impact. His tenure as Dean of the College of Engineering and later as the 24th President of Seoul National University demonstrates his capability in managing complex educational institutions, fostering academic excellence, and guiding strategic development. His leadership extended beyond Seoul National University, as evidenced by his presidency of the Korean Council for University Education and chairmanship of the KAIST Board of Trustees, indicating his broader influence on the national higher education system. His long-standing involvement in various governmental committees and advisory roles, including the National Science and Technology Council and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, underscores his critical role in shaping national science and technology policy. His current position as President of the National Academy of Sciences further solidifies his standing as a leading figure in the scientific community, indicative of his lifelong dedication and the high regard in which he is held.
6. Impact
Lee Jang-Moo's influence has been multifaceted, leaving a significant mark on the field of mechanical engineering, South Korea's higher education system, and the nation's scientific and technological progress. His research and leadership in academic societies like the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Korean Society of Precision Engineering have contributed to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge within mechanical engineering. As Dean and President of Seoul National University, he played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of one of South Korea's premier universities, impacting curriculum development, research initiatives, and institutional governance. His leadership in organizations such as the Korean Council for University Education and the KAIST Board of Trustees has had a broader systemic impact on higher education, influencing policies and standards across the country. Furthermore, his extensive involvement in national science and technology policy bodies, including the National Science and Technology Advisory Council and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology committees, has directly contributed to the strategic planning and implementation of initiatives aimed at fostering scientific innovation and technological growth in South Korea. His work with the Climate Change Center also highlights his engagement with critical global issues, extending his impact beyond purely academic and technical domains.