LX Group Fellowship Shapes Next June Huh

A New Initiative to Support Future Scientific Talent

LX Group has launched a unique scholarship program called the "LX Science Fellowship," aimed at students from Seoul National University’s College of Natural Sciences. The initiative will see an investment of 700 million Korean won over the next five years, starting this year. This effort was spearheaded by Koo Bon-jun, chairman of LX Group, who has always been passionate about the basic sciences. His vision is to create an environment where another "June Huh" could emerge—referring to the first Korean recipient of the Fields Medal, often called the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics."

Professor June Huh, now at Princeton University, is an alumnus of Seoul National University’s College of Natural Sciences and a junior of Chairman Koo. This connection played a significant role in shaping the new scholarship program.

Building on a Legacy of Excellence

On the 26th of last month, LX Group formalized its partnership with Seoul National University in a ceremony attended by key figures, including Koo Bon-jun, chairman and CEO of LX Holdings, and Yoo Hong-lim, president of Seoul National University. The collaboration was influenced by Koo’s academic background as a graduate of the Department of Computational Statistics at Seoul National University. He also shares a personal connection with Professor June Huh, as one of his long-time colleagues is Emeritus Professor Myeong-hoi Huh, the father of Professor Huh and a former professor at Korea University.

This relationship led to Koo visiting the United States to support Professor Huh even before he received the Fields Medal. Their interactions have continued over the years, further reinforcing Koo’s commitment to nurturing scientific talent.

Inspiration from a Media Interview

One of the key moments that influenced the creation of the LX Science Fellowship was a media interview given by Professor Huh after winning the Fields Medal. In the interview, he highlighted the importance of the Clay Fellowship, a U.S.-based program that has supported seven Fields Medalists, including himself. He mentioned how the fellowship provided unconditional support for five years, including housing and a monthly salary, which allowed him to focus fully on his research.

This experience deeply resonated with Koo, who saw the value of such an environment for young scientists. It inspired LX Group to establish a similar program tailored for students at Seoul National University.

Expanding Opportunities for Students

Under the LX Science Fellowship, the group will support 10 graduate students from Seoul National University’s College of Natural Sciences over five years, providing approximately 200 million Korean won. These students, including those who have completed their coursework, will be able to focus more steadily on their research. Additionally, each year, 40 undergraduate students will receive internship opportunities in their desired research fields, along with research scholarships.

A Commitment to the Future of Science

Chairman Koo expressed his belief that supporting students from his alma mater is a meaningful endeavor. He emphasized that the program aims to enhance research capabilities in the basic sciences, which form the foundation of scientific and technological competitiveness. He hopes it will help secure and nurture outstanding talent for the future.

President Yoo Hong-lim of Seoul National University praised the donation, stating that it would give courage and pride to students and researchers who dedicate themselves quietly to their studies. He described it as a warm encouragement that will inspire them to continue their work in science and technology.