Contributed to Korea’s fighting against hepatitis B by developing substances for the hepatitis B vaccine
Succeeded in separating out hepatitis C virus out of serum for the first time in the world
Established Korea Liver Research Foundation and SNU College of Medicine Liver Institute, and supported junior scholars for research activities
(Late) Professor Chung Yong Kim (1935~2016)
Honorary Professor, Seoul National University
- Academic background
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1959
Bachelor of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Seoul National University
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1961
Master of Medical Science, Internal Medicine, Graduate School, Seoul National University
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1966
M.D., Graduate School, Seoul National University
- Professional career
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1971~2000
Professor, Seoul National University
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1988~1992
President, Asia Pacific Gastroenterology Society
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1996~1997
President, Korea Internal Medicine Society
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2005
Member, Natural Science 4th Division, National Academy of Sciences
- Award
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1983
Republic of Korea Science Award
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1984
Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal
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2011
Order of Civil Merit, Rose of Sharon Medal
Professor Chung Yong Kim was a clinical medicine doctor who worked to control the hepatitis B prevalence rate in Korea and greatly contributed to the public health via research on hepatitis B virus, and by developing a preventive vaccine against it. He developed ‘Hepavax B’, the first Korean vaccine and succeeded to separate hepatitis C virus from human serum for the first time in the world, which made him a global authority in hepatitis research.
Born in Hamgyeongnam-do, he moved to Mokpo, South Korea just before the break out of the Korean war and finished his high school. In 1953, he entered Pre-med, College of Liberal Art & Natural Sciences, Seoul National University. He graduated from the College of Medicine in 1959 and entered the Graduate School to receive masters degree with the thesis of “A Study on Serum Protein Fractions Distribution by Electrophoretic Analysis in Hepatobiliary Diseases” and doctor’s degree with the thesis of “Studies on the Serum Proteins in Hepatobiliary Diseases” in 1961 and 1966, respectively. After receiving an M.D. degree, he had the opportunity to study in the USA.
He studied at the Medical School, Harvard University, which provided him a good research environment, and began hepatitis research on the recommendation of Professor Davidson of the school. The research in the USA trained him of the handling method of serum which contains antigen. Through the process, he was able to obtain vaccine substances. In 1979, he published via a paper that he developed a very effective vaccine substance for the prevention of hepatitis B. The achievement was critically needed for Korea, which had the dishonor of being known as a hepatitis country because hepatitis B was so prevalent.
He did not just stop with proving the effect of the developed vaccine substance in the laboratory level but he proceeded with commercialization. He tried to produce vaccine via an agreement with Green Cross Corporation. However, he could not get the permission from the Ministry of Public Health and Society as there did not exist a standard procedure to review the vaccine in Korea. At the time, the hepatitis B vaccine was produced in France and the US. Finally the Ministry of Public Health and Society granted permission for the product based on the summary paper of those vaccines. As a result, Korea was able to produce ‘Hepavax B’, the third hepatitis B vaccine in the world. Hepavax B has the merit that it allows mass production in a short time and its price was much lower, 1/10th of the vaccines produced in USA and France. With the competitive vaccine developed and applied in Korea, the country could slash the mortality from liver disease.
He established Korea Liver Research Foundation in 1984 and Liver Institute at the College of Medicine, SNU, his alma mater, in 1986. These were funded with the profits from the development of Hepavax B and with his personal funds. In addition, he contributed funds for the support of research activities for internal medicine classes at the College of Medicine, Seoul National University so that the junior researchers can continue the research on gastrointestinal disease, including liver disease.
He made great achievements in the research of hepatitis C as well, not just hepatitis B. In 1999, he succeeded in separating the hepatitis C virus out of serum for the first time in history. Using a total of 19 steps of separation methods such as precipitation, electrophoresis deposition, enzymatical procedure, etc., he succeeded to separate the virus out of hepatitis C patient’s serum and discovered the biological characteristics of the virus such as structure, molecular weight, density, electrophoretic characteristics, etc. He established the basis of developing hepatitis C vaccine by publishing the research on international journals.
He also worked actively for the public to raise awareness of the nature of hepatitis as well as carrying on research activities in a laboratory. This led some to call him the “hepatitis preacher” as he diligently worked for the promotional activities to prevent hepatitis, informing the public of the categories and causes of liver diseases. He led the liver disease prevention activities by informing the public of every day rules such as using disposable razors, tableware sterilizing at a restaurant, prohibition of private drug abuse, etc.
Recognized of these merits, he had the honor of winning Academy Award by Korean Medical Association in 1973, ROK Science Award in 1983, Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal in 1984, Hoam Award in 1995, and Order of Civil Merit, Rose of Sharon Medal in 2011. ‘Doctor Liver’ Chung Yong Kim contributed to the great decrease of Korea’s hepatitis prevalence rate when he succeeded to develop hepatitis B vaccine and made the achievement of separating hepatitis C virus out of serum for the first time in history, which made him clinical doctor who devoted the life for the research of liver diseases.
