Landscape Architect Youngsun Jung Wins "Pony Chung Innovation Award"
by Choi Seoyoon
Published 15 Apr.2026 10:29(KST)
Korea's First Female Landscape Architect
Prize Increased from 200 Million to 300 Million Won This Year
The Pony Jung Foundation announced on April 15 that it has selected Youngsun Jung, CEO of Seoan Landscape Architecture and Korea's first female landscape architect, as the recipient of the 20th “Pony Chung Innovation Award.”
Since becoming the first woman in Korea to obtain the National Land Development Technical Engineer license in landscape architecture in 1980, CEO Jung has designed some of the country's most prominent landscape spaces for over half a century, including Seonyudo Park, Saetgang Ecological Park, Seoul Botanic Park, and the Seoul Arts Center. In 2023, Jung became the first Korean to receive the Geoffrey Jellicoe Award, the highest honor in the field of landscape architecture, and has been recognized for presenting a new paradigm in linking nature and humanity through landscape design.
Hyungyu Chung, Chairman of the Pony Jung Foundation, stated, “Landscape architect Youngsun Jung is someone who has proven that ‘age is just a number,’ constantly taking on new challenges and delivering innovative concepts. She has presented beautiful spaces throughout Korea that harmonize with the surrounding landscape while uniting nature and humanity, thereby setting a new paradigm for landscape architecture.”
The Pony Chung Innovation Award was established in 2006, named after the late Seyoung Chung, Honorary Chairman of HDC Group and nicknamed “Pony Chung.” To mark the 20th anniversary this year, the foundation has increased the prize money from 200 million won to 300 million won. The awards ceremony will be held on May 28 at Pony Chung Hall, I-Park Tower, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
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