The 13th Korea Regional Development Awards Ceremony Held on the 2nd at Jeonil Building, Gwangju

Selected in a Total of 8 Categories Including National and Regional Development Contribution Policies and Society

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The 13th Korea Regional Development Awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on the 2nd at Jeonil Building 245 Multipurpose Auditorium.

The event is hosted by the Regional Development Policy Research Institute (Chairman Joo Daegyu) and sponsored by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to strengthen national competitiveness based on balanced regional development.

Now in its 13th year, the Korea Regional Development Awards selects winners in eight categories targeting individuals and organizations with significant contributions or high potential for development in various social fields such as policy, society, volunteer work, media, sports, culture, organizations, and regions.

Policy category winner Lee Seung-kwon is a professor in the French Language Department and Graduate School of Cultural Studies at Chosun University, having served as director of the International Culture Research Institute and head of the 4th Industrial Convergence Research Institute, recognized for his contributions to cultural and arts policy through various policy projects.

Social category winner Lee Sang-min, managing the Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, was recognized for his creative marketing efforts such as hosting the National Youth Golf Tournament to nurture young golf talents, contributing to spreading regional news nationwide.

Volunteer category winner Wi Seong-sik, a member of the Gangjin County Council, has contributed to welfare improvement through various activities supporting the independence of people with disabilities, overcoming discrimination and prejudice, and donating all legislative activity expenses in 2014.

Media category winner Chae Jeong-hee contributed to establishing citizen participatory journalism by providing space for civic values, ensuring editorial independence, and operating a citizen reporter system, with exemplary activities as a journalist upholding integrity and truth.

Sports category winner Yoo Jong-sang, a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, has carried out activities to gather various agendas of the local community, including hosting the first-ever open elementary school soccer club MOU signing ceremony nationwide in 2022.

Culture category winner Park Gyu-sang, a local theater artist with over 40 years of experience and numerous acclaimed performances, contributed to regional cultural development by working as a host during the launch of TBN Gwangju Traffic Broadcasting.

Organization category winner Park Gu was recognized for his activities since opening a boxing gym in Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do, a region barren of boxing, in 2006, including winning the first boxing gold medal at the National Sports Festival in 2012 and a gold medal at the 2017 World Youth Championships.

Regional category winner Kim Aram, a site manager at Jeil Construction, was acknowledged for contributing to the prevention of widespread safety negligence in our society by practicing both physical site safety and emotional safety.

A representative of the Regional Development Policy Research Institute said, “As the Korea Regional Development Awards continues its thirteenth event, it has produced results confirming various concerns of our society and alternatives to them,” adding, “All of this is thanks to the passion and dedication shown by the awardees.”