'Those Who Brightened Chungnam'... This Year's Proud Chungnam Award Recipients Confirmed

9,645 Hours of Volunteer Service, 31 Years of Unpaid Dedication, and Preservation of Traditional Culture
Outstanding Commitment in Various Fields Stands Out

From the left in the photo, Jae-Taek Jung, Myung-Ja Cho, Ae-Rang Park, Bon-Kwon Koo, Geum-Sung Park, and Joong-Cheol Cha received the Proud Chungnam Person Award in 2025.

Six individuals who have quietly dedicated themselves to Chungnam have been confirmed as the recipients of this year's Proud Chungnam Award.

Established in 1995, this is the highest honor in Chungnam Province, recognizing individuals who have served as exemplary figures for residents in various fields such as volunteer work, women's rights, agriculture, and cultural heritage preservation.

The Chungnam Provincial Government announced on the 26th that it held the 2025 Proud Chungnam Award Merit Review Committee and finalized the selection of this year’s six awardees.

The Proud Chungnam Award is the province’s most prestigious honor, given to those who serve as role models for residents through their dedicated activities in their respective positions.

Since its establishment in 1995, a total of 215 people have received this award as of last year.

This year’s recipients are: Jae Taek Jeong, Chairman of the Cheonan Citizens’ Committee for Livestock Breeding Station Relocation and Development; Myung Ja Cho, Director of Nanum Plus Cheonan Regional Headquarters; Ae Rang Park, Director of the Women’s Rights Promotion Facility; Bon Kwon Koo, President of Asan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative; Geum Sung Park, Chief Monk of Sudeoksa Temple; and Jung Cheol Cha, Head of the Geumsan Folk Performance Preservation Association.

Chairman Jae Taek Jeong was highly commended for 31 years of full-time, unpaid volunteer service, uniting local residents and leading the relocation of the Cheonan Livestock Breeding Station, which played a key role in the site’s final selection as a national industrial complex candidate in 2023.

Director Myung Ja Cho contributed to community welfare with a total of 9,645 hours of volunteer work over 15 years. She strengthened the foundation of social care by operating a free meal center, supporting welfare counseling, and running a “one-stop laundry” service for low-income families in cooperation with towns, townships, and neighborhoods.

Director Ae Rang Park has worked for 20 years to protect victims of domestic violence and promote women’s rights.

In particular, she provided comprehensive support for the settlement and recovery of victims through the expansion of housing support in 2017 and the enhancement of a 24-hour protection system in 2018.

President Bon Kwon Koo has contributed to the advancement of agriculture in Asan since taking office in 2010 and being re-elected for four consecutive terms. Through innovative management, such as introducing a smart shopping system, he played a major role in helping Asan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative Hanaro Mart surpass 80 billion won in sales in 2023.

He has also consistently supported rural labor through a sisterhood partnership with the Navy’s Second Fleet.

Chief Monk Geum Sung Park of Sudeoksa Temple led large-scale temple improvement projects, including the construction of the Daeungjeon Hall and the renovation of monks’ quarters during his tenure at Seogwangsa Temple. He also contributed to local tourism and cultural heritage preservation by establishing the “Bowonsa, Ganwolam, Seogwangsa” pilgrimage tour route.

Jung Cheol Cha, Head of the Geumsan Folk Performance Preservation Association, has preserved the region’s unique culture by teaching traditional Nongak (farmer’s music) in 10 towns and townships in Geumsan for over 30 years.

He led the Geumsan Ginseng Festival street parade and was recognized for his efforts in promoting the region nationwide by distributing more than 500 traditional kite-shaped fans at the 2017 Geumsan World Ginseng Expo.

The Chungnam Provincial Government plans to officially present these awards at the “Chungnam Honorees Awards Ceremony,” which will be held in the provincial government’s main conference hall on the 29th of next month.

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