Seodaemun-gu Mayor Moon Seok-jin Recognized for Contributions Including ▲Hosting France Street Music Festival ▲Granting 'Prangseuro' Honorary Street Name ▲Signing Exchange Cooperation MOU with Paris 13th District ... Seoul Gangseo-gu Mayor Noh Hyun-song Encourages Outstanding Local Scholars
Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu (right in the photo), is receiving the 'Chevalier of the Legion of Honour' medal awarded by the French government from Philippe Lefort, Ambassador of France to Korea.
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, received the Legion d'honneur Chevalier medal at the Embassy of France in Korea (43-12 Seosomun-ro) on the afternoon of the 18th.
This medal is awarded by the French government to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of politics, economy, culture, and more. Mayor Moon was recognized for his efforts in strengthening relations with France.
Previous Korean recipients of the Legion d'honneur include former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, conductor Chung Myung-whun, and film director Im Kwon-taek.
On this day, Philippe Lefort, Ambassador of France to Korea, presented the medal to Mayor Moon on behalf of the French government.
Ambassador Philippe Lefort said, “I sincerely thank Mayor Moon for his dedicated efforts in promoting exchange and cooperation with France for over ten years. I hope this award will open a new horizon in the relationship between Seodaemun-gu and France.” He also added, “We look forward to your continued support and interest in French culture,” and humorously remarked, “It has been a great fortune for the French Embassy that Mayor Moon was elected as mayor,” drawing laughter from the audience.
Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “It is an honor to receive France’s highest distinction,” and added, “Local governments can also conduct diplomatic work through various international events and exchanges, so I hope the cooperative relationship between Seodaemun-gu and France will continue to develop.”
Since 2017 until before the outbreak of COVID-19, Seodaemun-gu has held the ‘French Street Music Festival’ annually in Sinchon. In 2019, an honorary street name ‘Franseuro’ was given to a street near the French Embassy in the district, and last year, an art tile mural was created there.
Additionally, in October last year, Seodaemun-gu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for exchange and cooperation with the 13th arrondissement, one of the 20 districts of Paris, France, continuing various projects related to France.
No Hyun-song, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, attended the ‘2022 First Half (Foundation) Gangseo-gu Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Certificate Award Ceremony’ held at Gangseo Lifelong Learning Center at 5 p.m. on the 19th to encourage the scholarship recipients.
The Gangseo-gu Scholarship Foundation (Chairman Song Jin-su) selected 59 scholarship recipients for the first half of this year and decided to provide a total of about 66 million won in support.
The selected scholarship recipients include 27 high school students and 32 university students, with scholarships of up to 3.5 million won. The foundation selected scholarship recipients in five categories, including the ‘One Heart Scholarship for Residents’ which supports university students for four years, model students, and special talent students with aptitude in arts and sports.
Mayor No Hyun-song said, “Remember that many people care for and support you, and I hope you take pride and confidence as scholarship recipients of Gangseo-gu. I expect you to use this scholarship as a stepping stone to move forward toward your dreams and hopes.”
Established in 2001 under the slogan ‘Gangseo’s talents are the strength of Gangseo people,’ the Gangseo-gu Scholarship Foundation has supported 1,322 students to date. The total amount of scholarships provided reaches 1.77 billion won.
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