Obituary
Prof. Dr. Chong Jong-ryol – In Our Thoughts

Prof. Chong with Dr. Seliger in front of Korea University, Tokyo, 2013

Prof. Chong, from Korea University in Tokyo, was a close partner and friend of Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea and one of the initiators of the first wetland inventory in the DPRK in 1995. Prof. Chong emphasized his research on habitats of Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) and Black-faced Spoonbills (Platalea minor), which he had been studying for decades. Prof. Chong has dedicated many of his years to the restoration of Crane habitants in the wetlands of the DPRK and ROK.

Prof. Chong with Dr. Seliger in Korea University, Tokyo, 2013

The Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office has shared great memories with Prof. Chong in the field of nature conservation for many years. In 2013, the representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Dr. Seliger visited Korea University in Tokyo to meet Prof. Chong. They looked around the campus and exchanged views on the importance of nature conservation for our environment.

Prof. Chong with Mr. Simba Chan and Dr. Seliger at BirdLife International Asia, 2016

In 2016, Prof. Chong, Dr. Seliger and Mr. Simba Chan at BirdLife International Asia had a meeting to share ideas and make international cooperation with INGOs. Prof. Chong Jong-ryol contributed to creating ‘Threatened Birds of Asia: The BirdLife International Red Dara Book’ as a principal compiler and data contributor.

Prof. Chong was explaining birds from the DPRK to Dr. Seliger, 2016

In addition to this, through the many activities in his lifetime, Prof. Chong and Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea have been working towards the implementation of goals and plans aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in the DPRK.

Prof. Chong at the meeting in Samilpo (Mt. Geumgang), 2017

In 2017 A Seminar about wetlands and the Ramsar convention was held in Samilpo (Geumgangsan). Prof. Chong shared his special experience and research on the ecology of birds in the DPRK through decades.

Prof. Chong at 2018 International Crane Workshop in Cherwon.

In 2018, Prof. Chong visited South Korea to attend the 2018 International Crane Workshop in Cherwon. At the workshop, he shared the restoration efforts of Crane habitats in Anbyon, DPRK including current survey results in Anbyon.

The passionate work of Prof. Chong will remain with us.

His extraordinary dedication, expertise, and work in the field of bird and environmental protection will never be forgotten. He leaves a gap that will be impossible to fill.

Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this time of sorrow.