Funeral
Address to the deceased Dr. Sanghee Rhee
(IP
News, published by the Korean Patent Attorneys Association on Sep. 22, 2023)
Myung Shin Kim, Past President
The Korean
Patent Attorneys Association
The chairman always emphasized a
creative life and was passionate about everything!
As President of
the Korea Space Boys Association, you instilled creative spirit and hope in
young dreamers and dreamed of Korea's limitless future as a science and
technology country.
The chairman led
us on our difficult path and inspired us to be incredibly gratified while
working diligently for the development of Korea's science and technology and
patent attorney field.
You promised to
meet me three days ago, but you got so busy that you left me alone.
After obtaining a doctorate in
pharmacy from Seoul National University and a Patent Attorney qualification,
you lived as a significant pillar of Korea's science and technology field and a
standout in the patent attorney field throughout your life.
In the early
1980s, when you were a four-term lawmaker and minister of the Ministry of
Science and Technology, you were able to save 400 billion Won a year by
developing a localized vaccine that treated 12 percent of hepatitis patients in
Korea, while getting help from the head of the U.S. FDA and reducing the cost
of the vaccine from 30,000 ~ 40,000 Won to 3,000 Won.
In 1998, when our juniors, including
me, launched a campaign to establish a Patent Court by revising the Court
Organization Act, we succeeded because you gave us a lot of advice and encouragement.
You have been able
to lay the foundation for Korea to become a scientific and technological
country by enacting the Aerospace Industry Promotion Act, establishing the
Korea Aerospace Research Institute, creating a world-renowned bio-industry
research complex in Gwangju, establishing the Life and Science Institute,
enacting the Ocean and Fisheries Development Framework Act, the Basic Act on
the Development, Use and Promotion of New and Renewable Energy, the Special Act
on E-Commerce, the E-Learning Industry Development Act, the Basic Science
Research Support Act and the Small Size Atomic Energy Power Plant.
In particular,
calling for a science and economy president in the 2002 presidential race and
the military camp composed of 100,000 computer experts in preparation for
cyberwar is still a big echo for us.
We will forever remember the
achievement that the Korean Patent Attorneys Association (KPAA) restored from a
voluntary organization to a public entity. The KPAA could play its role in the
public interest after serving three times as the President of the KPAA,
according to the eager wishes of many patent attorneys.
To reorganize the
intellectual property system as a national survival strategy of Korea, which
has no natural resources, you and I obtained the approval of a juristic
qualification from the National Assembly Secretariat as co-representatives of
the Intellectual Property Forum. We combined the bill signed by 102 lawmakers
with another governmental bill prepared by the Heads of 13 Ministries and
Agencies to enact and implement the Intellectual Property Framework Act.
As such, we were
able to set up the three five-year plans for national intellectual
property policy and received massive financial support for those who have
suitable technologies but could not do business because they did not have
money. Additionally, we were able to shorten the period of patent infringement
litigation dramatically in our country by concentrating the courts in charge of
patent infringement cases. We will remember all your outstanding achievements. Just
as there are the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies and the
Federation of Korean Artistic Organizations, you asserted that we needed the
Federation of Intellectual Property Organizations in Korea.
So, in April 2007,
you and I held an inaugural meeting inviting 64 organizations related to
industrial property and copyrights. After that, in 2010, the Federation of
Intellectual Property Organizations was finally established as a corporation
with the approval of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Information and
Communication. In May 2013, you founded the International Association of Korean
Intellectual Property Experts and served as the first President. Regarding
these results, I thank you for your dedication and persistent efforts to
develop Korea's intellectual property system.
Further, we will
remember your dedication and service as Chairman of the Science, Technology,
Information and Communication Committee of the National Assembly, Chairman of
the Science and Technology Foundation, Chairman of the National Advisory
Council on Science and Technology, President of the Korea Invention Promotion
Association, Chairman of the World Federation of Social Sports, Chair Professor
of Gachon Medicine and Science University, Director of the Gwacheon National
Science Museum, Chair Professor of Pukyong National University, Chairman of the
Green Life Knowledge Institute, and Chairman of the National Science and
Technology Advisory Council under the Korea Parliamentarians' Society.
I reported to you
that the lawmakers of the Legislation and Judicial Committee, the National
Assembly, who qualify lawyers, continued to violate the Conflict of Interest
Prevention Act by Public Officer and the National Assembly Act and proposed to
meet you to prepare a countermeasure, but you went to heaven without hearing
about the patent attorney's right
to act as an agent of a patent infringement lawsuit.
But now we will
work hard to develop the national interest and intellectual property system,
following your belief, courage, and wisdom who dreamed of becoming an
intellectual property country.
Now, let all your
worries go, and I pray you will continue to fulfill your dreams by our side in
the next life. I pray for your peace and rest in peace.
September 16, 2023
