Selected Speeches
Dr. Chungserved as the President of SNU from 2002 to 2006. These are selected speeches during his presidency.
Commemorative Address for the 2nd Schofield Memorial Symposium (April 12, 2004)
HIT: 9164
Commemorative Address
by President Un-Chan Chung
On the occasion of the 2nd Schofield Memorial Symposium
Seoul National University
12 April 2004
Thank you and Good Afternoon.
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome you to Seoul National University and thank you for taking the time to be here on this special occasion. It is an honor to have an opportunity once again to address the second Schofield Memorial Symposium. This year's event is even more significant since it is being held in memory of the 34th Anniversary of Dr. Frank W. Schofield's passing.
Dean Lee, may I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to you and the College of Veterinary Medicine for hosting and contributing to the organization of this memorial symposium
As all of you will recall, 2003 represented a year of panic as SARS broke out in China, and then rapidly spread throughout the Asian region. Fortunately, Korea was only very slightly affected. However, the outbreak of the bird flu virus in Korea and in many parts of Asia early this year, raised deep concern about its possible infection of the region's population, led to a sharp decline in the consumption of poultry, and had a severe negative impact on Asian economies.
Likewise, these recent outbreaks of zoonosis, namely, FMD (foot and mouth disease), BSE (mad cow disease), and Brucellosis are threats not only to human health but to Asian economic health as well. In spite of the effort made by governments to eradicate these diseases, cases of zoonosis in particular continue to be reported.
More broadly, the international political environment remains as uncertain as ever. We live in a world threatened by the potential use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Especially in terms of biological threats, the zoonotic viruses can clearly be used as a weapon to inflict massive human and economic destruction. In these dangerous times, we need far greater collaboration between the institutions of veterinary medicine, and the active involvement and support of world governments in encouraging these collaborative efforts.
In this connection, the theme for this year's symposium,"Control of Zoonosis and Bio-Agro-Terrorism - the Role of the Veterinarian", could not come at a more appropriate time.
The challenges we face today cause us to reflect upon, and appreciate once again, Dr. Schofield's contribution as a world-renowned veterinary scientist.
Dr. Schofield's scientific achievements and passion for teaching as a professor of veterinary medicine should serve as model for our young students aspiring to follow in his footsteps.
Dr. Schofield was a devout Christian, and an eternal friend of the Korean people. As the 34th signatory of the March 1st Declaration of Independence, Dr. Schofield spoke out against Japanese repression of human rights in our country, and helped to make the world aware of Korea's plight under Japanese occupation. Our gratitude for his humanitarian contributions and genuine friendship for our people will be a lasting one.
Thank you.
by President Un-Chan Chung
On the occasion of the 2nd Schofield Memorial Symposium
Seoul National University
12 April 2004
Thank you and Good Afternoon.
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome you to Seoul National University and thank you for taking the time to be here on this special occasion. It is an honor to have an opportunity once again to address the second Schofield Memorial Symposium. This year's event is even more significant since it is being held in memory of the 34th Anniversary of Dr. Frank W. Schofield's passing.
Dean Lee, may I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to you and the College of Veterinary Medicine for hosting and contributing to the organization of this memorial symposium
As all of you will recall, 2003 represented a year of panic as SARS broke out in China, and then rapidly spread throughout the Asian region. Fortunately, Korea was only very slightly affected. However, the outbreak of the bird flu virus in Korea and in many parts of Asia early this year, raised deep concern about its possible infection of the region's population, led to a sharp decline in the consumption of poultry, and had a severe negative impact on Asian economies.
Likewise, these recent outbreaks of zoonosis, namely, FMD (foot and mouth disease), BSE (mad cow disease), and Brucellosis are threats not only to human health but to Asian economic health as well. In spite of the effort made by governments to eradicate these diseases, cases of zoonosis in particular continue to be reported.
More broadly, the international political environment remains as uncertain as ever. We live in a world threatened by the potential use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Especially in terms of biological threats, the zoonotic viruses can clearly be used as a weapon to inflict massive human and economic destruction. In these dangerous times, we need far greater collaboration between the institutions of veterinary medicine, and the active involvement and support of world governments in encouraging these collaborative efforts.
In this connection, the theme for this year's symposium,"Control of Zoonosis and Bio-Agro-Terrorism - the Role of the Veterinarian", could not come at a more appropriate time.
The challenges we face today cause us to reflect upon, and appreciate once again, Dr. Schofield's contribution as a world-renowned veterinary scientist.
Dr. Schofield's scientific achievements and passion for teaching as a professor of veterinary medicine should serve as model for our young students aspiring to follow in his footsteps.
Dr. Schofield was a devout Christian, and an eternal friend of the Korean people. As the 34th signatory of the March 1st Declaration of Independence, Dr. Schofield spoke out against Japanese repression of human rights in our country, and helped to make the world aware of Korea's plight under Japanese occupation. Our gratitude for his humanitarian contributions and genuine friendship for our people will be a lasting one.
Thank you.