Presidential Recognition Highlights Contributions to Enhancing South Korea's Global Cultural Standing

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Soprano Sumi Jo was among 32 individuals awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest cultural honor bestowed by the president of South Korea. These awards recognize outstanding contributions to elevating South Korea's international cultural prominence.

The recognition ceremony, organized by the Culture Ministry, took place at the Modu Art Theater in central Seoul.

Hwang Eul-sun, the intangible cultural heritage holder of royal silk flower making, the late gugak composer Lee Hae-sik, and traditional dance choreographer Jeong Seung-hee were among the recipients of the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit. 

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The Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit was presented to notable figures such as Choi Young-muk, CEO of Light Sound Friends, who played a pivotal role in establishing the Korea International Accessible Dance Festival; Pyo Gallery CEO Pyo Mi-seon, the founder of the Korea International Art Fair; contemporary painter Oh Su-hwan, also a professor emeritus at Seoul Women's University; craftsman Kang Seok-young, a former professor emeritus at Ewha Womans University; and Park Kwang-woong, former chair of the Korean Theater Association.

Recipients of the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit included the late Lee Hyun-joo, former secretary-general of the Korean Library Association; Song Yeong-sook, chair of Hanmi Pharmaceuticals; Park Mun-tae, director of Ulsan Jung-gu Culture Center; the late Oh Seung-cheol, former Jeju branch president of the Korean Writers' Association; Bang Gwi-hee, head of the Korea Disabled Artists Association; and Park Je-yu, CEO of JU Architects and Planners.

The Korea Culture and Arts Award was granted to five individuals: Park Seon-ja, president of the Gangneung Federation of Arts, novelist Yoon Hu-myong, artist Lee Bae, The House Concert CEO Park Chang-soo, and Theater Group ZESH CEO Choi Yong-hoon.

Seven artists received the Today's Young Artist Award, including pianist Lim Yun-chan, who won the Van Cliburn competition, and poet Yoo Hee-kyung. The Good Parent Award was presented to five individuals, including Yoon Soon-mo, the mother of renowned singer Yang Hee-eun, and actor Yang Hee-kyung.

Sayart.net 

Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com