PSY performs at the "2012 LOTTE NIGHT PARTY" held at the Lotte Hotel in Busan, South Korea, on October 6, 2012. [Lee Hye-ji/10Asia]
International star PSY and Venice-winning director Kim Ki-duk will be awarded a state order of cultural merit in this year alongside eight other winners.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said in a statement Monday that the "Gangnam Style" singer will receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the fourth highest medal among five grades of orders of cultural merit.
The officials explained the government has decided to confer the medals on PSY and the “Pieta” makers because of their contribution to enhancing the world's awareness of K-pop and Korea.
Other winners include legendary scenarist Kim Soo-hyeon, singers Song Chang-shik, Geum Sa-hyang and veteran actress Na Moon-hee.
Cho Min-soo (left) and Lee Jung-jin (right) portray a mother and son in a Venice-winning film "Pieta," which opened in local theaters on September 6, 2012. [NEW]
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