The cover of the book published by Chairman Suh Kyung-bae of AmorePacific with the title of “Flying Higher to See Far Away.”

AmorePacific Group Chairman and CEO Suh Kyung-bae published a book titled “Flying Higher to See Far Away” on Feb. 27.

While announcing the establishment of the Chairman Suh Kyung-bae Science Foundation last September, he said, “I wish to do my part to contributing to making an honorable society and nation with all birds, be they birds flying higher or birds flying faster, crossing the seas and the word.” Suh disclosed an ambitious dream to create a creative and challenging research environment to nurture Korean scientists winning Novel prizes by supporting prominent young scientists specializing in basic research in life science. 

Chairman Suh said his dream is to cultivate basic science devoted to humanity, not for his company. He added that he wished to devote himself to society. 

“I want to give dreams and hope to young scientists who cannot continue to study due to a lack of money,” said Chairman Suh, 54. He expressed hope that, by investing in basic science, Korean scientists will be nurtured 10 to 20 years down the road. Chairman Suh plans to donate shares worth about 300 billion won to the science foundation with the goal of raising its assets to 1 trillion won.

His latest book is a story about the long-held dreams, convictions and several experiences of Chairman Suh, who has managed to transform AmorePacific Group into a global beauty company doing business across the world. It is also a message designed to root for youth who live in a harsh society by ensuring that they may open their own precious way without giving up their dreams.

No one would have imagined that a Korean beauty company could grow into a company beloved by people in many parts of the world. When many in Korea considered cosmetics to be a declining industry, Chairman Suh dreamed an ambitious dream by wishing for people around the world to carry AmorePacific lipsticks in their handbags. 

“Only questions make people great,” Chairman Suh said. He has lent an ear to the views of door-to-door sales people and delivered a message of trust. He also presented the biography “Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China” to executives working in China as a gift, giving them words of encouragement. 

Chairman Suh, who has never stopped dreaming, would always ask a question “Where is your life heading?”

Quoting British poet Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” Chairman Suh spoke about “my own life,” not other’s. 

When the late AmorePacific founder Suh Sung-whan flew to Paris on July 6, 1960, he had the aim of obtaining technology from his business partner, Coty Inc. The French company gave Suh information about the ingredients of cosmetics, but not the core technology on the mixture of each ingredient. 

On his way back to Korea, the late senior Suh had made up his mind to enter the French market with homegrown technology. That’s why the founder devoted his whole life to nurturing technology and manpower.

He influenced Current AmorePacific Chairman Suh, who took over the company from his father, greatly while growing up. Chairman Suh said his father’s obsession with technology was the legacy he left behind. And now the senior Suh’s dream has come true. Under the stewardship of the junior Suh, AmorePacfic has gone from strength to strength to become a global cosmetics company.

Chairman Suh Kyung-bae of AmorePacific Co. delivers a speech at a meeting on Sept. 1, 2016 held at the Press Center in Seoul to set up the Suh Kyung-bae Science Foundation. (Photos: AmorePacific)