Mother of Oikos University President Dr. Jong-In Kim, Evangelist Joong-Sung Huh, Enters Heavenly Rest at Age 97

Heavenly Farewell Worship Service and Interment Ceremony Held at Goesan National Cemetery… Condolences Pour In from Around the World

[March 5, 2026] The Heavenly Farewell Worship Service and interment ceremony for the late Evangelist Joong-Sung Huh (aged 97), mother of Dr. Jong-In Kim, President of Oikos University in the United States, was solemnly held at Goesan National Cemetery in Chungcheongbuk-do Province, South Korea, on Wednesday, March 5.

The interment was conducted as an official state ceremony in accordance with the protocols of Goesan National Cemetery. Grandson Sam-Yul Kim presented the ceremonial floral tribute on behalf of the bereaved family. The remains of the late Evangelist Huh were laid to rest beside her husband, the late Pastor Je-Hong Kim.

A Son’s Final Journey — “She Waited to See His Face”
The late Evangelist Joong-Sung Huh was called home to the Lord at 8:13 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at a senior care facility in Tongjin-eup, Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province.

Upon receiving news of his mother’s critical condition, President Jong-In Kim immediately boarded a flight from the United States and rushed to the care facility upon arriving in Korea. In a deeply moving final moment, the late Evangelist Huh saw her son’s face, shared a brief and heartfelt conversation with him, and peacefully passed away approximately ten minutes later — a poignant farewell that has deeply touched all who heard the account.

Funeral Proceedings
The funeral was held at the Honors Hill Hospital Funeral Hall (VIP Room 3), located at 320-10 Heungsin-ro, Tongjin-eup, Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province. The body was received at 1:00 p.m. on March 3 (Tuesday), the encasement ceremony took place at 3:00 p.m. on March 4 (Wednesday), and the funeral procession departed at 7:00 a.m. on March 5 (Thursday). The cortege proceeded first to the Seongnam City Funeral Culture Service Center before arriving at Goesan National Cemetery for the final interment.

Condolences from Religious Leaders, Academics, and Communities Worldwide
News of the passing of Evangelist Huh prompted an outpouring of condolences from Christian leaders, academic figures, and communities both in South Korea and abroad.

Pastor Jung-Ho Kim, Director of the Acts Pastoral Research Institute, offered his prayers, saying, “May God’s comfort be with the family.” Pastor Eui-Chun Hwang, Former Moderator of the UPCA General Assembly, expressed his heartfelt condolences, stating, “We offer our deepest sympathies on the passing of your beloved mother.”

President Yo-Han Seo of Imperial University, the International Expository Preaching Research Institute, and the President of a Canadian Theological Seminary also sent messages of comfort and remembrance. The Chunggu Christian Fellowship sent a collective tribute on behalf of its members, and Jangan Central Church extended condolences on behalf of the congregation.

Professor Rae-Hyun Cho wrote, “May God’s comfort rest upon President Jong-In Kim and the entire bereaved family.” Professor Myung-Jun Ahn offered, “May the hands of the Lord, who is the Resurrection and the Hope, be with the family through every step of this journey.”

Pastor Chang-Won Seo, Ms. Soon-Ok Kang, Ms. Woo-Sook Seo, Mr. Gap-Heon Lee, Ms. Kyung Jin, and numerous other friends, colleagues, and fellow servants in ministry also sent floral arrangements and messages of condolence, honoring the life and faith of the departed.

Ms. Soon-Ok Kang wrote in her tribute, “I mourn the heavenly entrance of our beloved Mother of Faith, Joong-Sung Huh, and pray that she rests peacefully in the arms of Jesus.”

Surviving Family
The late Evangelist Huh is survived by her son, President Jong-In Kim; daughter-in-law, Kyung Chung; daughter, Sung-Sook Kim; grandson, Sam-Yul Kim; granddaughters, Eun-Ae Kim and Shin-Ae Kim; granddaughter-in-law, Yoon-Mi Kim; grandsons-in-law, Mu-Rim Lee and Samuel Song; maternal grandson, Moon-Ki Jang; maternal granddaughter-in-law, Min-Jung Kim; and maternal granddaughter, Yeon-Jin Jang. The entire family accompanied the late Evangelist on her final journey, professing the hope of resurrection amid their profound grief.

A Life of Faith Spanning Nearly a Century
The late Evangelist Joong-Sung Huh was widely known as a devoted mother of unwavering faith. Together with her late husband, Pastor Je-Hong Kim, she lived a life of dedicated service to God and to others. Having lived nearly a full century — 97 years filled with faith, love, and devotion — her legacy of spiritual dedication will be remembered by all whose lives she touched.