Dong-A University Department of Korean Language and Literature Awards ‘Sarnae Choi Nakbok Scholarship’

Choi Nakbok Honorary Professor Receives 100 Million Won for Appearance... Six Students Awarded Total of 5 Million Won

The Department of Korean Language and Literature at Dong-A University (headed by Jeong Gyusik) recently held the "3rd Salnae (Sagyeong) Choi Nakbok Scholarship Award Ceremony," the university announced on the 17th.

The Salnae Scholarship was established with a 100 million KRW department development fund donated in 2021 by Choi Nakbok, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Korean Language and Literature. "Salnae" is Professor Choi's pen name, derived from his hometown, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do.

The scholarship award ceremony, held on the 14th at the College of Humanities, Seunghak Campus, Dong-A University, was attended by Professor Emeritus Choi Nakbok, Department Head Jeong Gyusik, Professors Park Suchun, Kim Youngsun, Kwon Myunga, Lee Gukhwan, Heo Jeong, and the scholarship recipients.

At the event, six students from the Department of Korean Language and Literature?Jang Seyoon (4th year), Jeong Yujin (3rd year), Lee Dahyun (2nd year), Jeon Nuri (2nd year), Jeon Hyo-in (1st year), and Ha Tae-ung (1st year)?received a total of 5 million KRW in scholarships.

At the ceremony, Professor Emeritus Choi stated, "I donated the development fund with the hope that by gathering seed money little by little, it would help future students and allow them to live in a better environment," and added, "I hope that a frugal lifestyle and consideration for others will spread among students so that they may grow into healthy members of society."

The scholarship recipients expressed their gratitude, saying, "We are happy to receive such a meaningful scholarship from our department, and we sincerely thank Professor Emeritus Choi Nakbok for donating the development fund that made this valuable scholarship possible."

Professor Choi served as the Director of the Seokdang Academy at his alma mater, Dong-A University, and nurtured future scholars until his retirement in 2013. He is currently serving as a council member of the Hangul Society.

Over more than 30 years, he authored seven books, including "A Study of Joo Sigyeong's Grammar," and wrote over 50 papers, earning recognition for his contributions to the study of Korean grammar during the Enlightenment period. In 2016, he received the "Joo Sigyeong Academic Award" from the Hangul Society, and in 2021, he was awarded the Prime Minister's Commendation on the 575th Hangul Day for his dedication to the advancement of Hangul and the Korean language.