UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | Park Jang-sun, chairman of Today Art Co., Ltd., has pledged an additional 1 billion won to Korea Aerospace University's development fund, bringing his cumulative donations to the university to 2 billion won following an initial gift of 1 billion won in September 2024.

Korea Aerospace University held an opening ceremony on the morning of September 3 for the "Park Jang-sun Lounge," a newly renovated student space on the first floor of the university's Academic Information Center, named in recognition of the chairman's contributions.

A Multi-Purpose Space for Students

Funded by Park's 2024 donation, the lounge was created by remodeling the building's first-floor lobby into a multi-purpose facility that includes a study zone for group work, a lounge area with beanbag seating, and a dedicated space for job interview preparation.

The ceremony included congratulatory remarks from university President Heo Hee-young, a response from Chairman Park, and remarks of gratitude from Student Council President Hong Seok-dam, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, plaque unveiling, and presentation of certificates of appreciation. Attendees subsequently toured the "Today Art Hall," established through Park's earlier donation, as well as trees planted on campus last year to commemorate his honorary doctorate.

The event drew a range of guests, including Today Art Vice President Lee So-yoon and Director Park Min-jae, along with leaders from several regional printing cooperatives and business federations. University representatives in attendance included Chair Professor Hong Nam-ki, Professor Shin Dong-sik, Graduate School Dean Ahn Jun-sun, and other senior administrators.

A Relationship Dating to 1998

In his remarks, Park recounted his long-standing relationship with Professor Shin Dong-sik, which began in 1998 when Park, then seeking financing to expand his business, approached Shin, who was working at the time as a manager at the Korea Small Business & Venture Corporation.

"I was walking a path where I couldn't see the way forward, but thanks to your trust, I was able to secure a loan of 1.8 billion won," Park said, describing the loan as the foundation that allowed him to launch the business he leads today. Over the following three decades, Park expanded into the printing industry and helped pioneer the domestic market for K-POP albums and merchandise, growing Today Art into a leading printing company specializing in the sector.

Park said that after Shin later joined Korea Aerospace University, he sought a way to repay the support he had received years earlier and ultimately decided to donate to the university's development fund. "While contemplating how to repay this kindness, I decided to donate to the school," Park said, adding that his connection to the university "does not end here" and that he intends to continue giving back as a businessperson.

University and Student Reactions

President Heo Hee-young praised Park's decision, noting the difficulty of building a company from the ground up while also choosing to give back to society. Heo also pointed to the transformation of the Today Art Hall, which he said has become a space visited daily by children within a year of its renovation, and expressed hope that the new lounge would similarly benefit students and that Park's example would inspire giving beyond the university.

Student Council President Hong Seok-dam thanked Park on behalf of the student body, noting that student feedback had shaped the lounge's design to include both relaxation areas and space for interview practice. "I hope the students who prepared their dreams here will grow into outstanding individuals who can share their warm hearts with others," Hong said.

A Growing Partnership

The relationship between Park and the university formally began in September 2024, when his initial 1 billion won donation funded the renovation of the auditorium at the SME Venture Support Center into the Today Art Hall, which now hosts a regular children's musical featuring the university's official mascot, "Mach," and serves as an educational and cultural venue for local youth.

In July 2025, the university awarded Park an honorary doctorate in business administration in recognition of his contributions to technological innovation in the domestic printing industry, the globalization of K-POP, and his ongoing philanthropic work. The opening of the Park Jang-sun Lounge in September 2026 marks the third milestone in his relationship with the university, following the establishment of Today Art Hall and the conferral of his honorary doctorate.

Park founded Myungjin Art Co., Ltd., the predecessor to Today Art, in 1997, and has been credited with pioneering the market for K-POP album and merchandise packaging while introducing smart factory systems and eco-friendly printing processes. He received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit at the 2025 Korea Small and Medium Business Conference.

He currently serves as vice chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and chairman of its Cultural Content Promotion Committee, as the 24th president of the Korea Printing Cooperative Federation, and as chairman of the Jung-gu Talent Development Scholarship Foundation, in addition to leading the general assembly for the 2026 World Printing Congress. He is also a member of the Honor Society Seoul, a philanthropic association of high-net-worth donors.