Imagine a place where future financial titans once roamed these halls. This is Duksoo High School. Once known as Duksoo Commercial High School it holds a special place in South Korea’s history.
Duksoo High School opened as a public school in 1910. It was in the Seongdong District of Seoul. Duksoo High School quickly became the school of choice. Students with superior grades but low incomes flocked here. Many graduates directly entered the finance world. They bypassed college.
From the 1960s to the 1980s Duksoo High School was a golden ticket. It was a guaranteed path to finance jobs. Principal Lee Sang-won noted about half the graduates went straight to banks. Many balanced night college with their demanding jobs.
Duksoo High School boasts an impressive alumni network. Around 4000 of its 49000 graduates work in finance. Numerous alumni rose to become bank presidents. These include Lee Baek-soon of Shinhan Bank. Also Kim Dong-soo of Export-Import Bank of Korea and Heo Chang-gi of Jeju Bank. Kim Kyo-sung vice chairman of Industrial Bank of Korea is an alumni. So is Park In-chul Woori Finance Holdings Co. executive director and Son Keun-sun Woori Bank’s synergy creation team head.
The school’s influence extends beyond finance. Alumni have thrived in law politics and industry. Lee Jong-nam former chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection is a graduate. So is Ban Jang-shik former vice minister of planning and budget. Hur Yong-suk former head of the Korea Customs Service attended Duksoo High School. About 100 Duksoo alums have led major conglomerates. These include Samsung Hyundai and SK.
The Duksoo High School alumni network is remarkably tight-knit. Established in 1935 the alumni association thrives. It has 17 regional associations. There are five overseas groups. Thirteen groups are divided by university. The Duksoo Forum meets monthly attracting around 100 alumni.
In 2007 Duksoo High School transitioned. It shifted from a commercial high school to a comprehensive high school. Before that commercial schools focused on business skills. They did not focus on college preparation. Now Duksoo aims to be a top school. It offers courses in digital business management and digital marketing.
To celebrate its centennial Duksoo held an art fair. Current and former students displayed their works. Proceeds supported the school’s centennial celebration. Kim Sang-yeol a regional alumni head expressed pride. He noted alumni contributions to the finance sector and Korean industry.
Duksoo High School stands as a symbol of opportunity. It embodies hard work and the power of education. Its legacy shapes Korea’s financial landscape. It fosters a strong community for its graduates.