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Elderly Korean Man Wants to Help Chinese Students
The Dongyun Education Foundation of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is planning to set up a special fellowship for Chinese students from poor families to accomplish their university study.
"We are contacting the Chinese on the issue and the fellowship is expected to be set up soon," said Lee-Seung Kyu, legal representative of the foundation.
Lee, 73, is a long-time lover of Chinese culture. "My interest in Chinese culture began as early as 50 years ago," Lee said, adding that the two countries are deeply linked in history and culture.
Lee's "China Dream" came to true in 1995, when he made his first tour to China, three years after the two countries established diplomatic ties. Since then, Lee began to study the Chinese language in a local university in Seoul.
Two years ago, a Chinese girl, Lu Aihui, caught the attention of Lee and many ROK people who are interested in the Chinese culture. Lu beat 300 others to win first place in a lecturing contest performed in the Korean language in Beijing.
Lee wrote a letter to the Chinese girl. "I never thought that an old Korean man could write such a beautiful handwriting," recalled Lu.
They became pen-friends. Last July, with the help of Lee and other ROK friends, Lu paid a month-long visit to the neighboring country. "During my stay in ROK, I could always feel the Korean people's friendly feelings toward the Chinese people," she wrote in an article after the trip.
Recently, Lee and Han-Zuil, the 78-year old founder of the foundation, came to Beijing to attend the graduation ceremony of their "Chinese granddaughter".
Lee plans to study in the Beijing Languages and Culture University next year, if it is possible for his health. Meanwhile, his Chinese "granddaughter" also plans to continue her study of Korean language in Seoul.
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