Background and Purpose of the 2026 Centennial Commemoration of Kim Chansam

At the request of the Kim Chansam Memorial Committee, the Great Geographic Society (GGS)—a non-profit academic and educational organization—will take responsibility for education, research, and international cooperation initiatives to carry forward the spirit of Kim Chansam.

Beginning in 2025, GGS will implement a long-term project spanning the next ten years to honor his legacy and to help shape the future of education in Incheon and the Republic of Korea.

Kim Chansam was Korea’s first global traveler and a pioneering geographer and educator. His intellectual journey began in Incheon, continued through Seoul National University, and ultimately extended across the world. He dedicated his life to expanding geographical imagination and global awareness through education.

In this spirit, GGS is establishing the Kim Chansam Academy with the following objectives:

To systematically document and preserve Korea’s educational and geographical heritage

To expand student-centered global education and global citizenship education

To re-position Incheon as a symbolic starting point for world geography education

Key Initiatives for the 2026 Centennial Year

Marking the 100th anniversary of Kim Chansam’s birth in 2026, GGS will undertake the following education, research, and international cooperation initiatives:

Systematic archiving of Kim Chansam’s educational and geographical legacy

Development of student-participatory commemorative education models in partner schools

Expansion of global education models linking world travel, environment, and geography

Establishment of a sustainable, AI-based education and research platform led by GGS

Through the operation of the Kim Chansam Academy, GGS will continue to re-examine Kim Chansam’s life and achievements as a geographer and educator, ensuring that his spirit and vision are passed on to future generations.

Mandate Entrusted to GGS by the Kim Chansam Memorial Committee

The responsibilities entrusted to GGS include:

Strengthening the historical identity of education in Incheon and Korea

Transforming Kim Chansam’s legacy into educational assets for future generations

Presenting tangible outcomes in public diplomacy and international education for Incheon and local governments

Establishing a sustainable foundation for educational programs beyond the centennial year

The year 2026 will mark the starting point of this long-term journey.