Former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok and Three Others Inducted into Suwon Hall of Fame

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Late former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok and the late Dr. Woo Jang-choon, Dr. Heo Mun-hoe, and Dr. Hyun Shin-gyu, who made significant contributions to modern agricultural development, have been inducted into the 'Suwon Hall of Fame.'

Suwon City held the 'Second Suwon Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony' in the City Hall Grand Auditorium on the 23rd, inducting four figures: former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok (1939-2009), world-renowned horticulturist and plant breeder Dr. Woo Jang-choon (1898-1959), 'the father of Tongil rice' Dr. Heo Mun-hoe (1927-2010), and silviculturist and Korea's first doctor of forestry Dr. Hyun Shin-gyu (1911-1986). With this induction, the number of figures honored in Suwon's Hall of Fame has increased to 12.

The city enacted the 'Suwon Hall of Fame Installation and Operation Ordinance' in 2017 to discover and commemorate individuals and organizations that have brought honor to Suwon. Subsequently, the city solicited candidate nominations, conducted deliberations, and inducted eight figures in August 2018: independence activists Kim Se-hwan, Lee Seon-gyeong, Im Myeon-soo, and Kim Hyang-hwa; bibliographer Lee Jong-hak; entrepreneurs Choi Jong-gun and Choi Jong-hyun; and peace activist Grandmother Ahn Jeom-soon.

The induction ceremony proceeded with a video introduction of the inductees and a commemorative address by Mayor Yeum Tae-young. Descendants, relatives, and scholars of the inductees attended and shared their thoughts.

Following the induction ceremony, an unveiling event for the Hall of Fame, installed on the wall of the City Hall main lobby, was held. The Hall of Fame features bronze plaques engraved with photographs and brief biographies, careers, and accomplishments of the inducted figures.

In his commemorative address, Suwon Mayor Yeum Tae-young stated, "The four individuals inducted today became seeds of progress for Suwon City and the Republic of Korea through their exceptional wisdom, capabilities, and righteous sense of mission," and added, "It is meaningful to especially honor these figures who made a mark on modern agriculture as we look forward to the opening of the National Agricultural Museum in the latter half of next year."

He continued, "It is our descendants' duty to remember and honor Suwon's pride," and said, "Efforts and achievements to revive the noble aspirations of these individuals will accumulate as Suwon's historical and cultural assets."

■Former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok - 'Mr. Toilet,' 'Master Administrator'
Former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok (1939-2009) served as mayor during the first and second popularly elected terms (1995-2002) and took the lead in transforming Suwon into a 'quality restroom city,' demonstrating his profound love for Suwon.

Known by the nickname 'Mr. Toilet,' Shim showed exceptional interest in restrooms. During his tenure as Suwon mayor, he promoted the 'Beautiful Restroom Culture Movement,' raising Suwon's public restrooms to the nation's highest standards.

During his tenure, he left numerous accomplishments including the UNESCO World Heritage designation of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, restoration of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, development of the Suwon Stream as an ecological waterway, year-round opening of Kwanggyo Mountain, and attracting 2022 World Cup matches, earning him the title 'Master Administrator.'

Moreover, through active communication with residents, he built essential facilities such as a crematory (Yeonhwajang), garbage incinerator, and sewage treatment plant—typically unpopular facilities—thereby establishing the foundation for Suwon citizens' livelihoods.

■Dr. Woo Jang-choon - World-Renowned Horticulturist and Plant Breeder, Buried at the Base of Yeogi Mountain in Suwon
Dr. Woo Jang-choon was a world-renowned horticulturist and plant breeder who devoted his life to seed improvement. Born to a Korean father and Japanese mother, Woo graduated from Tokyo Imperial University's Faculty of Agriculture and received his doctorate in 1935 from Tokyo Imperial University for his groundbreaking paper on 'species synthesis,' which marked a pivotal moment in the history of genetics.

After liberation, the 'Committee to Promote the Return of Dr. Woo Jang-choon' was established, and in March 1950, Woo entered Korea alone and assumed the position of inaugural director of the Korean Agricultural Science Research Institute.

Setting 'improvement of Chinese cabbage and radish seeds' as his top priority, Woo devoted himself to research and succeeded in mass-producing new varieties of radishes and Chinese cabbages that were large, crisp, and resistant to pests and diseases. In 1957, he distributed various vegetable seeds nationwide and dedicated efforts to improving vegetables and fruits widely consumed by the public, including cabbage, squash, cucumber, watermelon, tomato, eggplant, leek, onion, and chili pepper. Woo also promoted quality seed potatoes and mandarin oranges.

In 1954, the U.S. military stationed in Korea, distrustful of Korean food, requested that the government 'provide clean vegetables through hydroponic cultivation.' Woo established hydroponic facilities in Suwon and cultivated vegetables, which became popular despite their high price.

In 1959, he underwent three surgeries for gastric and duodenal ulcers, but his condition did not improve and deteriorated rapidly. While hospitalized, Woo received the 'Order of the Republic of Korea,' and tearfully rejoiced, saying, 'The homeland has recognized me.' He passed away in August 1959 at the age of 61 and was buried at the base of Yeogi Mountain in Suwon.

■Dr. Heo Mun-hoe - Developed 'Miracle Rice Seeds' Tongil Rice to Resolve Food Shortage
Dr. Heo Mun-hoe was a world-renowned plant breeder who developed Tongil rice, called 'miracle rice seeds' due to its far superior yield compared to existing varieties, and played a major role in resolving Korea's food shortage.

Heo graduated from Suwon Agricultural and Forestry Vocational School (currently Seoul National University College of Agriculture) and earned master's and doctoral degrees in agriculture from Seoul National University's College of Agriculture. In 1960, he became a professor at Seoul National University's College of Agriculture and contemplated solutions to Korea's food problem. In 1964, he was commissioned as a special researcher at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines and studied rice breeding techniques.

At the time, he continuously attempted to crossbreed 'japonica' varieties cultivated in Korea with 'indica' varieties from tropical regions that had high yields, discovering that 'hybrid sterility' disappears after several generations of crossing. During the research process, he also revealed that 'three-way hybrid crossing' (Bridge Cross) could overcome hybrid sterility.

Heo attempted three-way hybridization of the cold-hardy 'Yukara' variety and high-yielding indica varieties, obtaining approximately twenty rice seeds on March 20, 1966. This variety is 'Tongil rice.' From 1974, Tongil rice was cultivated nationwide, and that year rice production surpassed 30 million seok for the first time. Tongil rice remained a precious existence that relieved the people's hunger to such an extent that its image was featured on the reverse of a 50-won coin.

■Dr. Hyun Shin-gyu - Developed 'Silver Suwon Poplar' from Silver Poplar and Suwon Aspen
Dr. Hyun Shin-gyu was a silviculturist who greatly contributed to Korea's rapid forest restoration. He graduated from Suwon Higher School of Agriculture and Forestry, completed his studies in forestry at Kyushu Imperial University, worked at the Seoul Hongneung Forestry Experiment Station, and after retiring, entered Kyushu University's Graduate School.

After returning to Korea in 1945, he was appointed as associate professor at Seoul National University's College of Agriculture. He completed his dissertation, which he had begun at Kyushu University's Graduate School, and obtained his doctorate in forestry in July 1949, becoming the first Korean to earn a doctoral degree in forestry.

Subsequently, after working at the U.S. Forest Genetics Research Institute, he returned to Korea in 1953, assumed the position of department chair of forestry at Seoul National Agricultural University, and established the 'Institute of Tree Breeding Research' in October of that year. He planted loblolly pine seeds obtained through artificial crossbreeding at experimental cultivation sites nationwide.

He focused on developing poplar hybrids. He discovered that hybrid varieties of silver poplar and Suwon aspen grew well even on steep slopes and had five times faster growth than aspen, and named the new species 'Silver Suwon Poplar.' Silver Suwon Poplar was designated and distributed as a recommended species by the Korea Forest Service from 1967.

At the 8th UN-affiliated FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Asia-Pacific Forestry Committee meeting held in Seoul in 1969, Hyun served as chair and was recognized as a world-renowned silviculturist. After spending 32 years as a professor at Seoul National University's College of Agriculture cultivating students, Hyun retired in 1977 and established the 'Hyangsan Scholarship' named after his pen name to support the studies of future scholars.