13 July 2026 — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) mourns the passing of Prof. Wan Kyoo Cho, one of IVI’s founders and a longstanding champion of vaccine science and global health. During his distinguished career, Prof. Cho played a pivotal role in advancing the vision that led to the establishment of IVI in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and helped lay the foundation for an institution dedicated to protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations from infectious diseases.

Prof. Helen Rees, Chair of the IVI Board of Trustees, said, “Today, we remember Prof. Wan Kyoo Cho, one of the founders of IVI and a visionary whose leadership helped lay the foundation for the institute. On behalf of the IVI Board, I extend our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Prof. Cho’s commitment to science, education, and global health shaped IVI’s mission and continues to resonate throughout the institute’s work today. I join the entire IVI community in paying tribute to his extraordinary legacy, which continues to inspire our efforts to improve global health through vaccines.”

As a distinguished biologist, educator, and one of IVI’s founders, Prof. Cho, together with Prof. Seung Il Shin, the late Prof. Sang Dai Park, and the late Prof. Barry Bloom, championed a vision of international collaboration in vaccine research and development for global public health.

Prof. Wan Kyoo Cho, former Minister of Education and President of Seoul National University, served as Chair of the Korea IVI Organizing Committee, which spearheaded efforts to establish IVI in the Republic of Korea. After Korea became IVI’s host country in 1994, he served on IVI’s founding Board of Trustees and helped establish the Korea Support Committee for IVI in 1998. Through these roles, he played a vital part in the institute’s establishment and growth over the past three decades as the first international organization headquartered in the Republic of Korea, while remaining a steadfast supporter, advisor, and advocate for IVI and its mission.

Prof. John D. Clemens, IVI’s current Senior Scientific Advisor, said, “Professor Cho’s leadership, vision, and hard work were critical to bringing IVI to Korea in the late 1990s, and his sustained commitment to the combined scientific and humanitarian mission of IVI nurtured the development of the institute thereafter. As the founding Director General of IVI, I had the privilege of working closely with him during my 12 years of service, and benefited immensely from his wisdom and friendship. I will miss him greatly.”

Dr. Jerome H. Kim, Director General of IVI, said, “Prof. Wan Kyoo Cho was a visionary leader whose commitment and dedication helped make IVI possible. His belief in science, international cooperation, and public service continues to inspire our work today. On behalf of all of us at IVI, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.”

Today, IVI honors Prof. Cho’s life, service, and contributions. His vision helped shape an institution that continues to protect vulnerable populations from infectious diseases, and his legacy will be remembered with deep gratitude and respect.