KOREA WHO
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Chairman of the School Board, Dongduk Women’s University
Cho Won-young
Returns as board chairman after resigning as president, pursuing educational innovation ahead of coeducation
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Last Updated on Sep 24, 2026
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Chairman of the School Board, Dongduk Women’s University
Copy Url : https://www.koreawho.com/profile/ChoWonyoung- Life Summary
Biography
Cho Won-young is chairman of the Dongduk Women’s Educational Foundation, which operates Dongduk Women’s University.
He was born in Seoul on October 17, 1949, to Cho Yong-gak, former chairman of the Dongduk Educational Foundation, and Lee Eun-ju, a former board director.
He graduated from Gyeongbok High School in Seoul and earned a degree in business administration from Yonsei University.
He joined Dongduk Women’s University as a professor and served as head of its planning office.
After serving as vice president, he became president in 1996.
He stepped down as president in 2003 amid allegations of embezzlement and falsified academic credentials.
He has chaired the Dongduk Women’s Educational Foundation since 2015.
He also served as secretary-general of the Korean Association of University Presidents.
Cho Won-young is chairman of the Dongduk Women’s Educational Foundation, which operates Dongduk Women’s University.
He was born in Seoul on October 17, 1949, to Cho Yong-gak, former chairman of the Dongduk Educational Foundation, and Lee Eun-ju, a former board director.
He graduated from Gyeongbok High School in Seoul and earned a degree in business administration from Yonsei University.
He joined Dongduk Women’s University as a professor and served as head of its planning office.
After serving as vice president, he became president in 1996.
He stepped down as president in 2003 amid allegations of embezzlement and falsified academic credentials.
He has chaired the Dongduk Women’s Educational Foundation since 2015.
He also served as secretary-general of the Korean Association of University Presidents.
- Life Summary
- Career Highlights & Challenges
- · Im Se-jin appointed president ahead of 2029 coeducation transition
- · Building an education platform focused on Central Asia
- · Government-backed projects strengthen professional talent development
- · Shared campus inaugurated with Jeju National University
- · Expanding future-oriented educational infrastructure
- · International College opens as a global education hub
- · Top ratings in 2025 university innovation evaluation
- · Deliberative body launched to discuss coeducation
- · Supporting the revitalization of local businesses
- · Selected to lead Seoul’s 2025 RISE projects
- · Employment declines after leading Seoul women’s universities
- · Turkic studies institute gains academic and diplomatic recognition
- · Appointment as board chairman
- · Weak financial stability and foundation accountability
- · The history of Dongduk Women’s University
- Vision and Goals
- Market and Social Evaluation
- Notable Incidents & Legal Affairs
- - Students face trial over campus spray-painting protests
- - Renewed controversy over police decision not to refer chairman
- - Sharp decline in regular and early admission applicants
- - Conflict reignites over 2029 coeducation transition
- - Student dies after being struck by campus garbage truck
- - Family occupancy of educational property sparks controversy
- - Education Ministry audit identifies neglected assets and waste
- - Dispute over the university’s founders
- - Strong opposition to Cho’s return to the board
- - Controversy over Cho Dong-sik’s pro-Japanese collaboration
- - President Son Bong-ho dismissed and reinstated twice
- - Resignation as university president
- Professional Timeline
- Educational Background
- Family & Personal Connections
- Awards & Recognitions
- Additional Information
- Notable Quotations
- Infographic & Photos