Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) invited Lee Sung Woo, former president of Kookmin University, to speak at the 672nd Thursday Special Lecture held on the afternoon of Thursday, October 8, in the Academic Conference Hall. On that day, former President Lee delivered a lecture titled “Peering into the Mysteries of the Universe and Life,” introducing the secrets of the universe and life that humanity has uncovered over the past century or so. Drawing on the latest knowledge in astronomy and life sciences, he discussed the relationship between the universe and humankind, as well as the origin and sustainability of life.
 
Former President Lee explained that the elements comprising human beings originated from stars in the universe, illustrating how the universe and life are closely interconnected. In particular, he emphasized that the substances constituting living organisms—including oxygen, a major element in our bodies—were formed in the universe, and examined the principles underlying life processes through the structure and role of DNA, which carries genetic information. He went on to explain that human life is the result of the universe’s long history and the evolutionary process of matter, stating that understanding the universe and life is, in essence, the process of understanding human existence.
 
He then introduced the structure and evolutionary process of the universe as uncovered by humanity through various examples of astronomical observations. He explained how Hubble’s observations revealed the existence of countless galaxies beyond our own Milky Way, leading to the scientific discovery that the universe is constantly expanding. He also examined the history of the universe, spanning approximately 13.8 billion years, through major astronomical phenomena such as black holes, supernovae, and cosmic background radiation, emphasizing that “in the vast universe, humans are no more than insignificant specks of dust.” He added that scientific exploration to understand the universe encourages us to reflect on human existence and adopt a humble attitude toward nature.
 
Finally, he addressed the challenges facing humanity by highlighting the impact of changes in Earth’s environment on the survival of life. He explained mass extinctions caused by past asteroid impacts and climate fluctuations resulting from changes in Earth’s orbit and axial tilt, and warned that recent global warming and glacial retreat could lead to rising sea levels and shifts in ocean currents, thereby threatening ecosystems and human survival. He also introduced the possibility of extraterrestrial life and humanity’s exploration efforts to uncover it, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an attitude of curiosity toward the as-yet-unrevealed mysteries of the universe and life. Former President Lee concluded his lecture by urging students to gain new insights through scientific discoveries and, based on these, grow into talented individuals who contribute to society and humanity.
 
Kookmin University’s Thursday Special Lectures—the first and longest-running regular lecture series at a Korean university to feature weekly guest speakers—have hosted approximately 670 speakers from various fields, including politics, society, science, and the arts, over the past 30 years. Notable figures who have taken the podium include former President Roh Moo-hyun, Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan, author Ryu Si-min, film director Park Chan-wook, National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun, and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark William Lippert.