World-Renowned Vocalist Jo Sumi Awarded Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit for Cultural and Artistic Development

"Enhancing South Korea's Prestige and Instilling Pride in the People"
Craftsman Hwang Eulsun, Late Professor Lee Haesik Awarded Silver Crown Cultural Medal

World-renowned vocalist Sumi Jo will receive the Geumgwan (Gold Crown) Cultural Medal. On the 27th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced thirty-two individuals honored for their contributions to the development of culture and arts. Among them are fifteen recipients of the Cultural Medal, five recipients of the Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Award (Presidential Citation), seven recipients of the Young Artist Award of the Day (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Citation), and five recipients of the Honored Parents of Artists Award (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Plaque of Appreciation). The awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the Modoo Arts Theater in Chungjeongno, Seoul.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The honorees for contributions to the development of culture and arts are cultural artists who have contributed to the advancement of culture and arts in the Republic of Korea. The government has selected and awarded them annually since 1969. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official stated, "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Medal, established in 1973," adding, "The significance of the awards is greater than in any other year."

Sumi Jo, who receives the highest honor, is a pioneer of K-Classic. She debuted on the international opera stage in 1986 and has been active for 38 years, achieving the unprecedented feat of winning seven international competitions as the first East Asian and conquering the world's five major opera stages. She also served as a promotional ambassador for events such as the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup and the 2030 Busan Expo, contributing to national prestige and the development of culture and arts. The Ministry explained, "Her achievements have been recognized for elevating the status of the Republic of Korea and instilling pride in its people."

The Eun-gwan (Silver Crown) Cultural Medal is awarded to traditional crafts artist Hwang Eul-sun, the late Professor Lee Hae-sik, Honorary Professor at Yeungnam University, and Jeong Seung-hee, a member of the National Academy of Arts of Korea. Hwang is a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Property for royal court floral painting. For about 60 years, she researched and restored the rituals of the Joseon Dynasty, which exist only in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. She founded the Korean Royal Court Flower Museum and organized domestic and international exhibitions such as the special exhibition for the APEC Summit, contributing to the development of Korean culture and arts. The late Professor Lee was a gugak (traditional Korean music) artist who collected Korean folk music materials and engaged in composition and writing for about 40 years. He donated over 8,000 sound and photographic materials recorded and created across the country to the National Gugak Center's Gugak Archive, contributing to the sharing and research of musical heritage and the activation of public cultural resources. Jeong is a traditional dancer who has devoted her life to dance. She has preserved traditional dances such as Seungmu, Salpuri, and Taepyeongmu and expanded the realm of creative dance. She has performed in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, and other countries, leading the development of culture and arts.

The Bogwan (Bronze Crown) Cultural Medal goes to Choi Young-mook, CEO of Bitsori Friends; Pyo Mi-seon, CEO of Pyo Gallery; Oh Soo-hwan, Honorary Professor at Seoul Women's University; Kang Seok-young, former Honorary Professor at Ewha Womans University; and Park Kwang-woong, former Chairman of the Korea Theater Association. CEO Choi was a key figure in promoting Korean arts worldwide through cultural performances such as "Coexistence" at the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Opening Ceremony. He also contributed to the development of arts for people with disabilities by founding the Korea International Dance Festival for the Disabled. CEO Pyo has operated an art gallery for 42 years, fostering artists and expanding the art market base. She also contributed to the globalization of Korean contemporary art by establishing the Seoul Arts Foundation and the Korea International Art Fair (KIAF). Professor Oh is a pioneer of abstract painting that interprets Eastern painting techniques and philosophy through Western oil painting methods. He has been actively creating works for about 50 years, broadening the horizons of modern painting and promoting the globalization of Korean art. Professor Kang is a ceramic artist who proposed a new direction for Korean contemporary ceramics. He completed unique production methods and techniques, leading the global spread of Korean crafts. Chairman Park is an actor who has appeared in over 150 plays for about 60 years. He has participated in international theater festivals, promoting the excellence of Korean culture and arts.

The Ok-gwan (Jade Crown) Cultural Medal is awarded to the late Lee Hyun-joo, former Secretary-General of the Korea Library Association, who contributed to the promotion of library culture; Song Young-sook, Chairwoman of Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group, who expanded the horizon of photographic culture through the opening of the Hanmi Photo Museum; Park Moon-tae, Director of Ulsan Jung-gu Cultural Center, who developed and disseminated local culture and organized various folk festivals; the late Oh Seung-chul, former Chairman of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province branch of the Korean Writers' Association, who expanded the literary base of Jeju through about 42 years of sijo (traditional Korean poetry) creation; Bang Gui-hee, CEO of the Korea Disabled Artists Association, who has consistently developed policies for artists with disabilities; and Park Je-yu, CEO of JY Architects, who designed numerous artistic buildings including the Sejong Center Chamber Hall.

Park Sun-ja, Chairwoman of the Gangneung Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations; novelist Yoon Hu-myeong; writer Lee Bae; Park Chang-soo, CEO of The House Concert; and Choi Yong-hoon, CEO of the theater company Jageun Sinhwa (Small Myth), received the Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Award. Yu Hee-kyung, CEO of Wit & Cynical; craft artist Jeong Da-hye; Kang Woo-hyun, CEO of Archihood Architects; pianist Lim Yoon-chan; senior member of the National Gugak Center Creative Orchestra Ahn Eun-kyung; Lee Cheol-hee, CEO of the theater company Cornerstone; and Kim Jeong-hoon, CEO of See to Dance Company, received the Young Artist Award of the Day.

The Honored Parents of Artists Award goes to Kwak Shin-sook, Min Gyeom-sik, Seo Chun-ja, Yoon Soon-mo, and Jang Hyun-sil. Kwak is the mother of Lee Ji-won, the first person with developmental disabilities to inherit the National Intangible Cultural Property of Gyeonggi Minyo (folk songs). Min is the father of Min Jun-ho, CEO of the performance delivery service Ganda. Seo is the mother of singer Wi Il-cheong and traditional artist Wi Hee-kyung. Yoon guided singer Yang Hee-eun and actress Yang Hee-kyung as artists, and Jang led developmental disabled artist Jung Eun-hye as an artist.

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