1970s - 1980s
The Himalayan mountaineering spirit and a great beginning
Honesty and patience learned amidst fierce winds
Starting with activities in the high school mountaineering club, I became active as a professional mountaineer, completing over 300 Himalayan climbs and volunteer work. It was a period when I began to physically learn humility in the face of nature and how to endure eons of time.
Key Records and Achievements
Early 1970s: Participated in high school mountaineering club and began as a professional rock climber
Mid-1970s: Began participating in major expeditions to climb 8,000-meter Himalayan peaks.
Mid-1980s: Began collecting and exchanging local Himalayan antiques from Nepal, India, and other regions.
1981: Founded a company specializing in 'Himalayan climbing equipment and local products'
1990s
The Genesis of an Aesthetic Perspective on Eastern and Western Ancient Art
In Search of Objects Imbued with the Breath of Time
Beyond the mountaineering equipment business, we have expanded our scope into the world of collectibles imbued with the breath of time. We have accumulated a professional eye for a wide range of items, from Western phonographs, manual cameras, and watches that capture the light of bygone days, to Western antiques, Asian ceramics, and ancient art.
Key Records and Achievements
1991: Began collecting European and Oriental classic antique appliances in earnest.
Mid-1990s: Establishment of the first archive of Western phonographs, rare cameras, and manual-winding luxury watches
1998: Laying the foundation for the identification of Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and Sino-Korean Buddhist artifacts
2000s - 2010s
Opening of 'Cheongbowon' in Insa-dong and Academic Leap
The house where a clear and pure true treasure resides (Cheongbowon)
He established 'Himalaya Cheongbowon' in Insa-dong and systematized approximately 10,000 rare Chinese and Korean antique art pieces. To ensure academic verification, he majored in Buddhist art history in depth at the graduate school of Dongguk University, building absolute trust within the antique art industry.
Key Records and Achievements
2002: Opening of 'Himalaya Cheongbowon' Gallery in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
2005, Major in Buddhist Art History, Graduate School, Dongguk University (Academic Systematization of Artifact Appraisal)
2010: Completion of an archive of over 10,000 items, including Chinese ceramics from the Song and Yuan dynasties, Goryeo celadon, and Joseon white porcelain.
2015: Introduction of Global Auction Provenance Verification Process
2009 - present
Choa's Service, the Miracle of a Lost Smile
Returning the value of ancient art to humanity
Based on Rotary International District 3650, we have been steadfastly practicing humanitarian medical service for 17 years, bringing bright smiles back to marginalized children who would have spent their entire lives in hiding. It is the culmination of the spirit of sharing taught by the Himalayas.
Key Records and Achievements
2009: Planning/Support for the project to provide free surgeries for 100 children with cleft lip and palate in Hanoi, Vietnam
Early 2010s: Jointly contributed to the global medical volunteer foundation 'Operation Smile Korea'
2010 - Present: Support for the construction of local elementary schools in Nepal and participation in the establishment of pediatric wards.
As of 2026: Supported surgeries for over 4,000 cleft lip and palate children over 17 years and achieved a fund of 400 million KRW
