An Seyoung to Receive Republic of Korea Sports Award... Archery Coach Park Chaesoon Awarded Cheongryong Medal

Sports Development Merit Awards and Republic of Korea Sports Awards Ceremony
9 Sports Awards, 53 Sports Orders of Merit, 7 Sports Medals

An Seyoung, who won a gold medal in the women's singles badminton event at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics-the first in 28 years-will receive the Competition Award at the 2025 Republic of Korea Sports Awards.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold the "2025 Sports Development Merit Awards and the 63rd Republic of Korea Sports Awards Ceremony" at the Westin Chosun Seoul on the afternoon of the 21st.

This year, a total of 69 individuals will be honored, including 9 recipients of the Republic of Korea Sports Awards, 53 recipients of the Sports Order of Merit-including 12 recipients of the Cheongryong (Blue Dragon) Medal- and 7 recipients of the Sports Medal.

Established in 1963, the Republic of Korea Sports Awards are presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and promotion of national sports. This year, nine sports figures-including athletes and referees-were selected in seven categories. Each recipient will receive a certificate of commendation, prize money, and additional rewards.

Badminton player An Seyoung [Photo by Yonhap News]

The Republic of Korea Sports Awards are divided into five Presidential Commendations and four Ministerial Commendations from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The Presidential Commendations will be awarded to An Seyoung (Competition Award), badminton player Lee Yongdae, coach Choi Yongho who discovered An Seyoung (Coaching Award), Kim Hwangtae, who became the first Korean to compete in the paratriathlon at the 2024 Paris Paralympics (Para-Athlete Award), Ko Kwangman, Vice President of the Yeoju City Disabled Sports Association, who contributed to organizing inclusive sports events for people with and without disabilities (Para-Sports Award), and Jang Inseong, Head Referee of the Korea Swimming Federation, who served as a diving referee at numerous domestic and international competitions (Referee Award).

The Ministerial Commendations from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will be presented to Park Euiseon, a teacher at Daejeon Hosudon Girls' Middle School (Coaching Award), Park Sukja, Principal of Seongbok Middle School (Merit Award), and Seo Jeongguk, a member of the Cheongdo County Federation of Disabled Persons' Triathlon (Para-Athlete Award). Hwang Kyungseon, the father of national swimming team member Hwang Sunwoo, will receive the special "Distinguished Parent of an Athlete Award."

The "Sports Development Merit Award," established in 1973, is the highest honor in the field of sports, presented to athletes, coaches, and others who have elevated the status of sports and contributed to the development of national sports. It is divided into two categories: athletes and coaches who have won awards at international competitions, and contributors to national sports development. Recipients are determined based on their achievements, scores according to event-specific evaluation criteria, and whether they meet the international competition standards for each medal grade.

This year, a total of 56 athletes and coaches will receive honors. The highest grade, the Cheongryong (Blue Dragon) Medal, will be awarded to Park Chaesoon, coach of the Korea Archery Association; Choi Eunjong, coach of Gyeonggi Provincial Government (Modern Pentathlon); Jeong Jaeheon, coach of Daegu Jung-gu District Office (Archery); Lee Nayoung and Kang Heewon, athletes of the Korea Bowling Association; Kim Beomjun, athlete of Mungyeong City Hall (Soft Tennis); Kim Donghyun, teaching assistant at Korea National Sport University (Weightlifting); Jeon Yongseong, teacher at Samil High School (Weightlifting); Ju Youngdae and Kang Oejeong, athletes of the Gyeongnam Disabled Sports Association (Table Tennis); Im Cheongyu, athlete of the Busan Disabled Lawn Bowls Federation; and Yoon Bokja, athlete of the Jeonnam Disabled Lawn Bowls Federation-a total of 12 recipients.

The Maengho (Fierce Tiger) Medal will be awarded to 16 recipients, including Kim Seongmin, Senior Police Officer at the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency (former national judo athlete), and An Seongjo, athlete of the Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Association (Bowling). The Geosang (Giant Elephant) Medal will be awarded to 14 recipients, including the late Ryu Jehyeong, former athlete of the Korea Bodybuilding Association, and Sim Seonhwa, athlete of Seoul City Hall (Goalball). The Baekma (White Horse) Medal will go to 7 recipients, including Lee Sunmin, Chief of the Korea Shooting Federation (former national shooting athlete). The Girin (Giraffe) Medal will be awarded to Ahn Hyogi, coach at Korea Water Resources Corporation (Rowing), and the Sports Medal will go to 6 recipients, including Jang Sewook, coach at the Royal Oman Police (Taekwondo).

In the National Sports Development Contributor category, there are four recipients. The Maengho Medal will be awarded to the late Choi Sangyoung, former President of the Korean Residents Union in Japan, and Lim Chaeil, President of the Ulsan Cycling Federation. The Geosang Medal will go to Lee Bongyoung, President of the Yeongam County Sports Council, and the Sports Medal will be presented to Park Jeongmok, President of the Busan Seo-gu Football Association.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwiyeong stated, "I would like to thank the sports figures who have inspired and instilled pride in our people," adding, "The Ministry will spare no effort in providing policy support so that athletes can focus solely on training in a fair and safe environment."

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