The Father of Bacchus, Kang Shin-ho, Rests Eternally.

Kang Shin-ho, the honorary chairman of Dong-A Socio Group, renowned as the "Father of Bacchus," known for his significant contributions to the South Korean economy and the pharmaceutical industry, passed away at the age of 96 on the 3rd of this month. Kang Shin-ho was the key figure behind the development of Bacchus, a major pharmaceutical brand in South Korea, and his achievements have been widely recognized both domestically and internationally.

 

Kang Shin-ho will be remembered as a figure who made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and corporate management, leaving a lasting impact both nationally and internationally.

 

Born in 1927 in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Kang Shin-ho was the son of Kang Jung-hee, the founder of Dong-A Socio Group. He graduated from Seoul National University's medical school and later obtained a doctoral degree from the University of Freiburg in Germany. He began contributing to the pharmaceutical industry when he joined Dong-A Pharmaceutical in 1959.

 

Kang Honorary Chairman's most notable work was the development of Bacchus, a fatigue-relieving medicine, in 1961. Bacchus achieved significant success in both domestic and international markets, establishing Dong-A Pharmaceutical as a leading player in the domestic pharmaceutical industry for an extended period.

 

Moreover, Kang Honorary Chairman obtained approval for the anti-cancer drug 'DA-125,' a derivative of Adriamycin, for the first time in South Korea in 1994. He also led the development of 'Zydena,' the first domestically developed treatment for erectile dysfunction and 'Sugar Non,' a diabetes treatment, which contributed to the advancement of domestically produced pharmaceuticals.

 

Furthermore, in 1985, Kang Honorary Chairman inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, becoming the first in the industry to receive certification for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). In 1977, he established the industry's first corporate research institute, contributing to the transformation of Dong-A Pharmaceutical into a comprehensive healthcare group.

 

Kang Honorary Chairman showed great interest in talent development, founding an Institute for Talent Development in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, making him the first in the domestic pharmaceutical industry to institutionalize employee education. This initiative aimed to enhance the capabilities of the individuals working alongside him.

 

Additionally, Kang Honorary Chairman incorporated the word 'Socio,' meaning 'society,' into the company name by renaming Dong-A Socio Group in 1994, signifying the company's commitment to social responsibility.

 

In 1987, he appeared on the television program 'Sajae' and established the Soo Cultural Foundation, supporting scholarship programs and lifelong education efforts, benefiting more than 1,900 scholarship recipients. He also served as the chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, becoming the first pharmaceutical industry executive to hold that position.

 

In 2017, despite retiring from the frontline of business, Kang Honorary Chairman continued to support technological development in the industry, earning the Grand Cordon of the Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest honor in the field of science and technology, in 2002.

 

Kang Honorary Chairman is survived by his children, Jeong-seok, Moon-seok, Woo-seok, In-gyeong, Yeong-rok, and Yun-gyeong. His funeral hall is located at Seoul National University Hospital's Funeral Hall 1, and the funeral is scheduled for 6:30 AM on the 5th.

 

Kang Shin-ho will be remembered as a figure who made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and corporate management, leaving a lasting impact both nationally and internationally. His dedicated efforts and achievements greatly contributed to the development of South Korea's pharmaceutical industry. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Kang Honorary Chairman's family and friends, and with deep respect, we conclude this article, honoring his everlasting dedication and accomplishments.