Studying has no age limit and anyone who wishes to learn can do so if one puts his or her mind to it. At least this is what one former SNU professor demonstrates he believes.

CHUNG Han-taek, former professor of psychology at SNU, entered the Korea National Open University (KNOU) to major in English at the age of 90.

KNOU was established in 1972 and is Korea's first distance education university, with the mission of making higher education more available to the general public.

Although others have expressed their doubts and concerns whether Chung will be able to follow and complete all the coursework required, Chung replied,"Age doesn't matter when it comes to studying. I don't worry. Studying itself is my ultimate goal."

Others are surprised but respect the professor, like fellow 19-year-old classmate JEON Ji-Eun who said,"His attitude and willingness to learn is amazing."

Pofessor Chung grew up in a poor family in a village in North Chungcheong Province and could not attend a normal public school. Instead he attended an agricultural school, and in 1939 he entered a teacher-training institute. He began working but with the beginning of World War II, watching Korea under Japanese colonial rule, Chung felt empowered to continue studying."I saw my people suffering discrimination and persecution. I felt that in order to not be persecuted, I needed to study to make Korea a stronger nation", said Chung.

The following year he entered as an undergraduate Gyeonsong Education College, the predecessor of the current SNU College of Education. Upon graduating he began teaching in an elementary school. Over the following 60 years he held various teaching positions in middle and high schools, and was also a professor of psychology at SNU.

Holding a textbook titled"Current English" Professor Chung states,"It seems like my whole life has been about learning and teaching."

But even after leaving his teaching position, Professor Chung has never stopped being an avid learner. He frequently visits his local Culture Center where he learns English and computing.

Another reason for entering KNOU as an English major is his desire to become fluent in English so that he may read English texts without difficulty."If there is something I wish to do, I do not fret over my age and just start doing it. In ten years from now, even when I am 100 years old, I want to continue learning new things", said the professor.

When asked what his favorite English quote is, Chung smiled and answered,"I can do it".

Written by OH Jung Eun, SNU English Editor, josefinaoh@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com