Jeong Deokhwan Wins HD Hyundai Honor Award Grand Prize for 40 Years of Leading Disability Self-Reliance

HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation Announces 3rd Award Winners
Achievements in Vocational Rehabilitation and Building a Self-Reliance Ecosystem for People with Disabilities
Total Prize Fund of 350 Million Won
Top Individual and Group Awards, Plus 1% Sharing Award

The HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation has selected Jeong Deokhwan, founder of the Eden Welfare Foundation, as the grand prize winner of the 3rd HD Hyundai Honor Award. He was recognized for his contributions over more than 40 years in expanding the foundation for self-reliance and social participation among people with disabilities.

On November 21, the HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation announced the winners of the 3rd HD Hyundai Honor Award, including Mr. Jeong, through its official website. Mr. Jeong, a former national judo athlete, faced the reality of discrimination against people with disabilities after being diagnosed as a level 1 quadriplegic due to an injury. In 1983, he established Eden Rehabilitation Center (now Eden Welfare Foundation), creating a self-reliance model that encompasses vocational training, employment, and settlement. To date, the foundation has created 1,303 jobs and has operated dormitories, building a sustainable self-reliance ecosystem.

Mr. Jeong Deokhwan (photo) was selected as the grand prize winner of the 3rd HD Hyundai Honor Award by the HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation in recognition of his efforts over more than 40 years to expand social participation for people with disabilities and to establish a self-reliant 'productive welfare' model. HD Hyundai

Mr. Jeong also participated in the legislative process for the enactment of the “Special Act on Preferential Purchase of Products Made by Severely Disabled Persons,” leading to the establishment of relevant systems. In 2019, he launched the “Happy Job Movement Headquarters” and expanded his activities through the “Eco-Fare” campaign, which combines eco-friendly initiatives with self-reliant welfare.

The top group award was jointly given to the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation, which supports children and adolescents with cancer and rare diseases, and Raphael Clinic, which has provided assistance to migrant workers and refugees with limited access to healthcare. The Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation was also named as a recipient of the “1% Sharing Award,” which is selected through a vote by HD Hyundai employees.

The top individual award went to Father Kim Hajong, who operates “Anna’s House,” providing meals for the homeless, connecting them to self-sufficiency programs, and counseling at-risk youth. Father Kim introduced a mobile counseling bus called “Agit,” establishing a support system that directly reaches out to street youth.

Kwon Ohgap, Chairman of the HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation, stated, “We pay tribute to those who have brought about real change,” and added, “We hope more people will join the journey of sharing.”

The awards ceremony will be held on December 9 at the HD Hyundai Global Research & Development Center (GRC Center) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation, established in 2011 through 1% salary donations from employees, operates various programs such as “Dream Place” for improving outdated facilities and “Masterpiece Studio” for art education for people with disabilities.

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