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Nami Island's Leadership
The Visionary
Mr. Minn Byeong-do, the original owner and founder, is now nearly ninety years
old. Despite his age and the more than four decades that have passed since
he acquired the island, his memories of planting trees on Nami Island are
still quite vivid. On visits to Nami Island he rises at dawn and along,
with cane in hand, makes several trips from the southern to northern parts of
the island. He offers advice on which trees to prune saying
"It's good for the scenery and good for the tree."
Even today Mr. Minn is busy making sure Nami Island continues to grow--both
literally and in the hearts of visitors.
In 1964 Mr. Minn Byeong-do was in his late forties.
Although he was serving as the Governor of the Bank of Korea, he found himself
in a serious dispute with the Korean government regarding the influx of loans
from Europe. Although he tried to maintain the bank's independence,
he found he could not and resigned. After that he developed an interest in
landscape gardening and looked for a place where he could cultivate this
interest. He discovered Nami Island and declared that it offered
"an escape from the world where one could start a new life by bringing
a wasteland under cultivation."
With that thought in mind he began to transplant small trees onto the island,
for at that time it is said that the only things on Nami Island were a few
scattered chestnut trees, popular trees, and mulberry trees on the fringes of
a small peanut farm. The journey that began 40 years ago has now become the
lushly wooden Nami Island we know today.
Even today, Mr. Minn visits Nami Island and recalls the time when the trees
were first planted, yet he there are still glimpses of his youthful sense of humor,
in comments such as "Transplant this tree and then how about digging a canal
that will transverse the island?" Nami Island is a physical representation
of the concept of creating a "Fairy Tale Song Island" where not only do nature
and culture come together but also where the love of nature and the spark of
new dreams come together for the benefit of future generations.
The Chairman
Mr. Minn Woong-kih, eldest son of the founder, is currently chairman of
Nami Island, Inc.
He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hwimun Euisook Educational
Foundation.
Mr. Minn is a graduate of California State University at Fresno and received his
MBA at Northern Illinois State University.
The CEO
Mr. Kang Woo-hyun,
president of KBBY (Korean Board on Books for Young People)
and a world-renowned illustrator and graphic designer,
joined Namisum, Inc. as president and CEO in 2001.
Since then, he has passionately pursued his vision to create an island
of fantasy and fairy tales, where people, arts and Mother Nature meet.
In addition, he is currently the Chief Director of the Institute of
Asian Cultural Interaction and Exchange, a trustee for the Korean Juvenile
Education Association and the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement.
He is also an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Design at Kyoungwon
University and a guest lecturer at many other universities in Korea.
2005-current; Professor, Graduate School of International Tourism,
Hanyang University
2005-current; Member of the Board of Directors. Korean Committee for UNICEF
2001-current: President and CEO, Nami Island Inc. (Nami-Island)
2000-current: President, KBBY (Korean Board on Books for Young People)
2000-2000t: Adjunct Professor, School of Visual Design, Kyoungwon University
* 1999-2000: Committeeman, National Animation Academy of Korea
* 1998-1998: Judge, NOMA Picture Book Original Illustration Concours
* 1998-1998: Private exhibition: "Multi-Character Exhibition by Kang Woo-Hyon"
* 1996-1998: Editor-in-Chief, UNESCO COURIER (Korean Version)
* 1994-1998: President, Korean Publishing Arts Association
* 1992-2000: Lecturer, Asian-Pacific Literacy International
(ACCU - Asia/Pacific Cultural Center for UNESCO)
* 1992-2003: Advisory Committee Member of Ministry of Culture & Tourism,
Seoul Metropolitan Government and YMCA Seoul
* 1991-1991: Founder, "Association of 'To Be Good Fathers'"
* 1989-current: Chairman, Cross Cultural Center for Asia (CCCA)
* 1988-1998: Organizer, International Picture Book Original Paintings
Exhibition, Korea
* 1981-current: Illustrator, Character-Designer
* 1981-2004: Work submissions to domestic and foreign illustration
/graphic design exhibitions
* 1981-2003: Guest Lecturer, Hongik University, Konkook University,
Kyounghee University, Dongduk Women's University,
Sookmyoung Women's University.
Awards & Designations
* 2000: Minister of Culture & Tourism Prize of the Korean Children's
Book Award, Creative Picture Book "The Candle Ghost"
* 1999: Prime Minister Prize of the Korea Designer's Award, Korea
* 1999: Commendation from the Minister of Culture & Tourism for
Distinguished Services on Cultural Development, Korea
* 1999: The New Intellectual, Ministry of Culture & Tourism
* 1999: The 100 People for Next Generation of Korea, Internet Broadcasting
* 1998: The 51st CANNES FILM FESTIVAL Poster Designer
* 1998: Commendation from the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Energy
for Distinguished Services on Design Development, Korea
* 1998: The 50 People for Next Generation of Korea, The Korean Daily
* 1996: The 100 People for Next Generation of Korea, Monthly JoongAng
* 1995: Grand Prix of the Korea Children's Culture Award, Korea
* 1994: 50 Next Generation Leaders of Asia, The Asahi Daily of Japan
* 1993: Commendation from the Prime Minister for Distinguished Services
on Life Culture Movement, Korea
* 1993: Award for Environmental Cultural Art, Korea
* 1992: Award for the Designer of the Year, Korea
* 1989: Award for Picture Book, the 20th KODANSHA Culture of
Publication Award, Japan
* 1989: Gold Medal of the Biennale in Illustrations Bratislava, Czech
* 1987: Grand Prix, the 5th NOMA Picture Book Original Illustration
Concours, Japan
Publications
* Picture Books: "A Dinosaur in the Desert," "Six-Colored Rainbow" and 8 others.
* Essays: "Spring Water and a Dipper," "I Live on Nami-Island," and 2 others.
* Technical Books: "Multi-Character Design," "Computer Graphic Design Techniques"
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