Kim Jaebong, Chief Director of Gwangju Shinsegae Eye Clinic, Awarded the 'National Medal'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] “Having worked as an ophthalmologist for over 20 years, I have always viewed my consistent donations and volunteer activities as a way to gradually repay the love I have received from the local community. I am very grateful to receive such a prestigious award. I will continue to provide medical services for the local residents as well as maintain my commitment to donations and volunteer work.”

On the 27th at 11 a.m., Kim Jaebong, Chief Director of Gwangju Shinsegye Ophthalmology, received the National Medal in the Savings category from Eun Sungsoo, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, at the ‘5th Finance Day’ ceremony held at the 63 Convention Center in Seoul.

The National Medal is an award higher than the Presidential Citation and is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the welfare of the people.

Finance Day, established to raise public interest in finance, marked its 5th anniversary this year, awarding a total of 194 people across three categories: ‘Savings & Investment,’ ‘Innovative Finance,’ and ‘Inclusive Finance.’

Notably, only five people, including Chief Director Kim Jaebong, were honored with the National Medal.

Kim Jaebong, Chief Director of Gwangju Shinsegye Ophthalmology, has practiced a steady spirit of saving and last year donated 100 million won to the Gwangju Community Chest of Korea, joining the Honor Society.

He also provides annual scholarships and free surgeries such as SMILE, LASIK, LASEK, cataract, and strabismus to students under the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. Additionally, he established the ‘Stairs of Love for Health’ at the Gwangju Sangmu Station subway stairs, where each step taken contributes to donations, and he delivers donation funds annually.

For young people unable to serve in the military due to poor eyesight, he supports free vision correction surgeries, helping a total of 14 individuals enlist in active duty. Over the past 20 years, he has contributed to spreading the spirit of sharing by supporting scholarships and surgery costs.

Director Kim said, “As a doctor, I am always thinking about how to contribute to society in various ways. Having received such a great award, I will continue to provide the best medical services and strive to contribute to the local community.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju Shinsegye Ophthalmology, founded by Chief Director Kim Jaebong in 2009, has won the ‘Korea Consumer Satisfaction Index No. 1’ for five consecutive years and has become the leading ophthalmology clinic in the Honam region by performing the highest number of SMILE surgeries and presbyopia and cataract surgeries in the Gwangju and Jeonnam areas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.