Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Awards Meritorious Persons Contributing to Eliminating Family Discrimination and Enhancing Welfare

Chun Namsuk, Former Director of Salvation Army Duri Home, Awarded National Medal of Magnolia

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will hold the '2021 Family Policy Meritorious Government Awards Ceremony' on the afternoon of the 14th at the Bankers Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, in celebration of Family Month.

From January to March, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family received recommendations for individuals and organizations who have worked hard to promote family welfare in the field and local communities, and selected 15 government awards and 70 ministerial citations respectively.

Former Salvation Army Duri Home Director Chu Namsuk will receive the National Medal of Magnolia. Former Director Chu was recognized for her contributions to protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of marginalized women by working with women at counseling centers, prostitution facilities, domestic violence shelters, and single-parent facilities for 29 years.

Former Director Chu contributed to developing a foundation at Duri Home where unmarried mothers could raise their children directly for 13 years, transforming Duri Home from 100% adoption to a 90% parenting rate.

Professor Song Hyerim of Ulsan University will receive the Order of Service Merit. She was recognized for her contributions to policy development and project activation in the family sector by researching the Basic Plan for Healthy Families and developing programs for various family types including single-person households.

In addition, Kang Bokjeong, Head of the Korea Healthy Family Promotion Institute, Do Geunhee, Director of Gumi City Healthy Family and Multicultural Family Support Center, Choi Eulyong, Director of Pyeongtaek City Healthy Family and Multicultural Family Support Center, the Healthy Family and Multicultural Family Support Center of Icheon City, and the Dongwon Yukyoung Foundation will receive the Presidential Citation.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has held commemorative events every May for Family Month, but this year, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government awards ceremony will be held simply without a separate commemorative event.