Jae Kim
I am very saddened by the news that Professor Pyun passed away.Professor Pyun was an old friend of my late father’s, going back to the time of the Korean War when they were military officers. I remember meeting him (as a kid) vividly when he visited my family in Seoul in the 1970’s. My parents also visited him and his family in Memphis in the 80’s. They welcome my parents like their family, and my parents brought back wonderful photos with them in Memphis. Professor and Mrs Pyun again visited us in Sydney when our family moved to Australia.I have not met with him in person since then, but it must not be a coincidence that I myself became a professor of finance after 20 odd years later. Perhaps, he has been my role model without me knowing. He must have touched my life although I have not met him since my younger years.Around 2005, as a junior academic in Australia (I was an econometrician then), I was working on the variance ratio test. Noticing that Professor Pyun had written several important papers in this area, I sent an email to him attached with my working paper on the application of variance ratio test to financial markets. I was not sure if he would remember me. But he did, to my surprise. He was kind enough to be a joint author of the paper, and elevated the paper to a much higher level. This initial research inspired me further and I have subsequently written a series of papers on the variance ratio test and its applications to financial markets. Since then, my academic career took a big leap. I still thank him sincerely for his help, guidance and encouragements. Without them, I would not be where I am in my professional career now.I sent him emails from time to time to say hello and he always replied with good humour and jokes. I could feel his energy and positive attitudes towards life. I was a bit worried though, when my last email earlier this year was not answered.Professor Pyun! Rest in peace. Congratulations to your successful life. I cannot thank you enough for your help. It was an honour to work with you as an academic. I picture you and my late father together in heaven, which gives me a smile.Our sincere condolences to Pyun family, from all of Kim’s in Australia and Korea.God bless you and Professor Pyun.Jae Hoon Kim, Melbourne, Australia