President Yoon Awards Sports Merit Blue Dragon Medal to Son Heung-min at Seoul World Cup Stadium

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol personally awarded the Cheongryong Medal to Son Heung-min (30, Tottenham), who became the first Asian player to win the England Premier League (EPL) Golden Boot on the 2nd.

On the same day at 6:50 p.m., President Yoon visited the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where a friendly match between the South Korean and Brazilian national football teams was held, and personally presented the Cheongryong Medal to Son Heung-min. While it is generally customary for the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to award the Cheongryong Medal to athletes, President Yoon exceptionally awarded it to Son Heung-min this time.

The government decided at the Cabinet meeting on the 26th of last month to award the Cheongryong Medal in recognition of Son Heung-min’s achievement as the first Asian player to win the EPL Golden Boot (2021?22 season), which elevated South Korea’s prestige.

Dressed in a suit with a black tie, Son Heung-min appeared at the stadium about an hour before the match and waited for President Yoon. Around 6:52 p.m., President Yoon entered the stadium and pinned the Cheongryong Medal directly onto Son Heung-min’s chest. When President Yoon extended his hand for a handshake, Son Heung-min bowed in response.

Then, Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan, key figures in South Korea’s 2002 World Cup semifinal run, also joined for the commemorative photo.

The Presidential Office stated, "Son Heung-min has contributed to the development of South Korean football by setting the record for the most goals scored by a national team player in the World Cup and winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. In particular, as the first Asian to surpass 100 goals in a major European league, winning the Premier League Player of the Month award three times, and becoming the Premier League Golden Boot winner, he has not only elevated the nation’s prestige but also brought great inspiration and pride to the people during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic."

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