Koo Chang-hoe, Chairman of the Jincheon District Council of the Ministry of Justice Crime Prevention Committee, January 8, 2012
“Children who do not receive care from society are also victims.”From the very beginning of the new year, the media is dominated by the reality of schools stained with various forms of violence that are difficult to even imagine.Adolescents, during a highly sensitive period, experience emotional fluctuations that are hard to control on their own. An immature ego blurs even the judgment of right from wrong, and the aimless wandering of children who have not set goals is bound to lead to deviance.There is someone who takes the hand of these teenagers, who have lost their way and are in confusion, and guides them.This is the story of Gu Chang-hoe (66), Chairman of the Jincheon District Council of the Ministry of Justice's Crime Prevention Committee.Although he is better known as the CEO of Nongkyung Co., Ltd., a specialized manufacturer of potting soil, he has a special interest in youth issues.Chairman Gu first became involved with teenagers as a Crime Prevention Committee member in June 2006. For a considerable period of five years and six months, he has been meeting with children referred to as "problem kids."Thanks to dedicating himself solely to work in his youth, his business is firmly established, and he lacks nothing—enough to enjoy a comfortable retirement now. However, he readily accepted a friend's recommendation to become a Crime Prevention Committee member because, as a father raising children himself and as a senior in life, his heart felt particularly heavy whenever he saw teenagers ruining their entire lives with a single momentary mistake.Fortunately, Jincheon County has a relatively low rate of juvenile crime compared to other cities and counties. Children entrusted for guidance receive instruction from Crime Prevention Committee members for six months to a year. Of course, they also receive separate professional training.Most of the children entrusted come from broken homes. Although this is a critical time for them to decide their life paths and they are at an age where they need parental attention, most adolescents from broken families have nowhere to turn for support or confide in, even when they have problems.This makes Chairman Gu's heart ache even more. Whileofficial meetings are held only once a month, it is only natural that he is much more concerned.Children branded as troublemakers for a momentary mistake must once again experience the painful coldness of society. At that age, they often act without even realizing that their actions constitute a crime.Furthermore, despite being children at a stage where they are vulnerable to momentary temptations, society mercilessly scratches at the wounds of those who have clearly paid the price for their crimes, and those whose wounds deepen eventually give up on themselves.Society is far too cruel to adolescents who are not yet adults. Chairman Gu emphasizes that these children, who have not received care from society, are also victims.Children who already have deep distrust of adults are not easily opening their hearts just because they are members of the Crime Prevention Committee.Chairman Gu does not try hard to find quick answers from the children. He demonstrates that while sharing meals and everyday moments, he can also be a good conversational partner, and he selects good books that the children can read and reflect upon deeply.And there is one more thing. What he considers most important in guiding youth is the positive role of peers.For children at that age, a single word from a friend who spends more time by their side resonates more deeply than ten words from parents or teachers.Therefore, it is also Chairman Gu's responsibility to help the students he guides meet friends and make good friends.To date, eight children have formed a connection with him in this way. Sincerity always prevails. Having witnessed his sincerity, the children opened their hearts, and they are all now leading healthy lives. Chairman Koo is actually grateful to such children.Given Chairman Koo’s passion, having devoted 30 years to a handful of soil, how much more so would it be for a person?I once read an article in which a scholar researching potting soil mentioned Chairman Koo. It is said that when Chairman Koo asked him to research potting soil, he remarked, “Potting soil, the foundation where young and tender sprouts must be nurtured, must be created with a heart of reverence for nature.”Deeply moved by these words, the scholar has been researching potting soil for decades to this day.Chairman Koo’s office is located in the research building. He has dedicated 30 years to potting soil research, spending over 20 of those years building Nongkyung Co., Ltd.—which started in a vinyl greenhouse on barren land—into Korea’s leading company specializing in potting soil.From potting soil development to company management, he continues to work tirelessly to this day.Chairman Koo’s management philosophy is encapsulated in the phrase "Wealth is as equal as water, and people are as upright as a scale." Thisphrase reflects his character, which places great importance on honesty and trust.Whether dealing with soil or with people, he always devotes his whole heart to the task. This is also the reason why the hearts of the children he mentors, as well as those who know him whether business or personal, naturally open up.Chairman Koo, who has two daughters and one son with his wife, Lee Young-bun, reportedly visits the mountains with her to maintain both his health and peace of mind.
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