‘Jukyungyadok’ Pukyong National University Student Receives 8th Republic of Korea Civil Servant Award and Okjo Geunjeong Medal

Park Daeyoung, a second-year student in the Department of Public Safety Police at Pukyong National University, was selected as the recipient of the 8th Korea Civil Servant Award and is taking a commemorative photo after receiving the Order of Okjo Geunjeong.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] Park Dae-young, a sophomore in the Department of Public Safety Police at Pukyong National University, was recently selected as the recipient of the 8th Republic of Korea Civil Servant Award hosted by the Ministry of Personnel Management and received the Okjo Geunjeong Medal.

Park, aged 44, is a "late bloomer" university student who enrolled at Pukyong National University in 2021 and currently serves as a lieutenant in the Special Rescue Team of the Central Maritime Special Rescue Unit under the Korea Coast Guard.

He was recognized as a civil servant who has made outstanding contributions through dedication and service to the nation and its people and proactive work performance, and was finally selected as the highest award recipient among the Republic of Korea Civil Servant Awards. He is the first Korea Coast Guard officer to receive this medal.

Since his appointment as a coast guard officer in 2002, he has been active for 20 years as a rescue worker saving lives at maritime accident sites.

He received the medal in recognition of his achievements such as establishing a nationwide underwater search and rescue cooperation system among civilian, government, and military sectors, inventing special equipment for the initial containment and recovery of oil spilled from damaged ships, and filing patents.

Before his appointment, due to difficult circumstances, he was unable to complete his studies, but more than 20 years later, he recently enrolled at Pukyong National University through the lifelong learner admission track and achieved these results while balancing work and studies.

Park Dae-young said, "I received great encouragement by being awarded while challenging myself to return to studies, thinking that completing my unfinished education and studying would further help my activities as a rescue worker. I am grateful to everyone who recognized my consistent efforts."

Professor Ham Hye-hyun of Pukyong National University's Department of Public Safety Police said, "Many students balance work and studies, but especially Park Dae-young stands out with his perseverance and sincerity, dedicating himself to his studies and serving as a role model to those around him."

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