[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Gang-wook] The 5th Financial Day commemorative ceremony was held on the 27th at the 63 Convention Grand Ballroom Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, with about 50 attendees including Eun Sung-soo, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, Yoon Seok-heon, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, and recipients of the Financial Development Merit Awards.
This year’s ceremony was scaled down compared to previous years in consideration of social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Recipients who could not attend the venue participated in real-time online through a non-face-to-face system established for the event.
On this day, the Financial Development Merit Awards were presented to a total of 194 people across three categories: 'Savings & Investment,' 'Innovative Finance,' and 'Inclusive Finance.' The awards consisted of 2 Order of Industrial Service Merit, 5 Commendations, 18 Presidential Citations, 27 Prime Minister Citations, 124 Financial Services Commission Chairman Citations, and 18 Financial Supervisory Service Governor Citations.
Financial Day is a statutory commemorative day established to raise public interest in finance and to encourage those working in the financial sector, marking its 5th anniversary this year.
The Order of Industrial Service Merit (Cheoltap Medal) in the Innovative Finance category was awarded to Kim Bok-gyu (Executive Vice President of Korea Development Bank), and the Order of Civil Merit (Seokryu Medal) in the Inclusive Finance category was awarded to Lee Dong-hoon (Manager at the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund Central Association).
Executive Vice President Kim Bok-gyu was recognized for his contributions to stabilizing the financial market and resolving corporate funding difficulties during COVID-19, including overseeing the establishment of the Infrastructure for the Industrial Stability Fund and managing Korea Development Bank’s COVID-19 financial support programs. Manager Lee Dong-hoon introduced numerous special guarantee products to support small business owners and self-employed individuals and contributed to the swift delivery of policy funds to these groups in response to COVID-19.
In the Innovative Finance category, Lee Soo-il (Senior Specialist at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance) received an award; in the Inclusive Finance category, Lee In-ho (Manager at the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency) and Kim Yong-woo (Manager at the Credit Recovery Committee) were honored; and in the Savings & Investment category, Bae Nam-gyu (self-employed) and Kim Jae-bong (ophthalmology clinic director) were recipients.
Presidential Citations were awarded to Jo Yoon-seop (Deputy General Manager at Korea Credit Guarantee Fund), Lee Dong-han (Chairman of a social welfare corporation), Jung Yun-ho (stage name Yunho, singer), Cheon Sang-hee (elementary school teacher), and 14 others.
Additionally, Prime Minister Citations were awarded to the Army Mobilization Command (group award), Kwak Young-geun (Deputy Branch Manager at KB Kookmin Bank), Heo Jeong-yoon (professor at Kookmin University), Ko So-young (actress), and 23 others; Financial Services Commission Chairman Citations to Lee Ji-hyun (manager at Korea Inclusive Finance Agency), Choi Hwan-yo (deputy general manager at Shinhan Bank), Kang Ji-eon (hospital director), and 121 others; and Financial Supervisory Service Governor Citations to Hwang Yong-joo (senior researcher at NICE Credit Rating), Jeon Seong-yong (senior investigator at Korea Specialized Credit Finance Association), and 16 others.
In his congratulatory speech, Eun Sung-soo, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, stated, "Due to the economic crisis triggered by COVID-19, increased demand for non-face-to-face services, and expanded financial market volatility caused by the low interest rate environment, the role of finance has expanded beyond supplying funds appropriately to include enhancing consumer convenience through innovation and stabilizing financial markets. The innovation and inclusion of finance in response to the changes brought about by post-COVID life are important."
He also said, "The spread of COVID-19 has accelerated the transition to the digital era and deepened social polarization. Today’s Financial Day ceremony is deeply meaningful in that it embraces not only savings but also innovation and inclusion together."
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