Lee Sanghae, Professor Emeritus at Sungkyunkwan University, Among Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit Recipients for National Heritage Protection

Kim Sungyul, Holder of Suyeong Yaryu, and Park Munyeol, Holder of Duseokjang
Park Hojun, Holder of Gungsi-jang, to Receive the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit

Isanghae, Honorary Professor at Sungkyunkwan University

Kim Sungyul, holder of the Suyeong Yaryu, Park Munyeol, holder of the Duseokjang, and Lee Sanghae, Professor Emeritus at Sungkyunkwan University, will receive the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit.

The Cultural Heritage Administration will hold a ceremony to commemorate "National Heritage Day" at 2:00 p.m. on December 9 at the National Heritage Center’s Folk Theater Pungnyu, where it will present awards to individuals who have contributed to the protection of national heritage. The awards include five Orders of Cultural Merit, one Cultural Medal, five Presidential Citations, and one Prime Minister's Citation, totaling twelve recipients.

Kim Sungyul, recipient of the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, was recognized for his contributions to the preservation of Suyeong Yaryu and the revitalization of traditional culture in the Busan region. Park Munyeol has devoted himself to the repair and restoration of traditional metal artifacts such as furniture fittings and locks. Professor Emeritus Lee Sanghae was highly praised for his expertise in the inscription and management of World Heritage sites, raising the value of Korean heritage in the international community.

The Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit will be awarded to Park Kangcheol, Director of the Jeonnam Cultural Heritage Research Institute, and Park Hojun, holder of the Gungsi-jang (traditional bow and arrow craftsman). Director Park has contributed to the systematic preservation of architectural and buried cultural heritage, while Park Hojun has led the succession and development of traditional arrow-making techniques.

The recipient of the Cultural Medal is Lee Sangkil, Director of Hangang Tree Hospital. Over 37 years, he has treated more than 1.12 million natural heritage trees and authored "100 Selected Natural Monuments (Plants)," making significant efforts in the preservation of forest and natural heritage.

The Presidential Citations will be awarded to three individuals and two organizations: Bang Hwaseon, holder of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Intangible Heritage Fan-Making Craft; Jo Jeonghwa, Director of the Baekje Ancient Capital Research Institute; Sato Takao, Chief Monk of Godeokwon; as well as the Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum of the Korea Ceramic Foundation and the Yanggu County Musk Deer & Musk Center.

The Prime Minister's Citation will be presented to Kim Hantae, Head of the Heritage Media Team at the National Heritage Center. He contributed to the dissemination of national heritage through digital media, including operating the YouTube "National Heritage Channel," which has attracted 1.95 million subscribers.

About 200 people, including Heo Min, Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, and the award recipients, will attend the ceremony. The event will feature a pansori performance by French singer Mapo Laure and her teacher, master singer Min Hyesung, followed by a media art performance titled "Byeolseojeongwon."

National Heritage Day was established to commemorate the inscription of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, and Jongmyo Shrine as Korea's first UNESCO World Heritage sites on December 9, 1995.

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