Recognized for Dedication to Children's and Youth Theater
Yoo In-chon: "Meaningful Achievement... Respect for Passion and Devotion"
The Korea branch of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ) announced on the 30th that former chairperson Kim Sook-hee received a merit award at the ASSITEJ World Congress held on the 28th (local time) in Havana, Cuba. This honor is given to theater practitioners dedicated to the field of children and youth theater. It is the first time in 19 years since Korean director Kim Woo-ok received the International Children and Youth Arts Award in 2005 that a Korean has been recognized by ASSITEJ.
Former chairperson Kim was selected as the awardee in recognition of her contributions to the development of the children and youth performing arts field, including founding the Children’s Culture and Arts School in 1997. She majored in French language and literature at Ewha Womans University, studied in France, and earned her master's and doctoral degrees in drama. In 1997, she established a professional cultural arts education organization for children and youth and produced numerous performances such as "Grandfather’s Pocket." She has worked tirelessly to promote culture and the arts, receiving awards including the Presidential Award of the Korea Culture and Arts Awards, the Seoul Children’s Theater Award, the Children’s Media Protection Award, the Korea Culture and Arts Organization Award, and the Special Award of the Lee Hae-rang Theater Awards.
Beyond the theater, former chairperson Kim led the revival of children and youth theater by serving as president of the Korean Educational Theater Association and chairperson of the Korea branch of ASSITEJ. She currently serves as vice president of the Seoul Catholic Theater Association and president of the International Environmental Arts Association.
Founded in France in 1965, ASSITEJ is a non-governmental international organization with participation from eighty-seven countries. It operates programs such as international performance exchanges to promote the development of children and youth performances. The World Congress is held every three years.
On the same day, Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, sent a congratulatory message to former chairperson Kim, celebrating her award. He said, "It is a meaningful achievement that has made known on the international stage that Korea has a children and youth theater performance planner who has devoted her life and achieved outstanding accomplishments." He added, "I sincerely express my respect for the passion and dedication poured into achieving today’s results." He also encouraged, "I sincerely hope that the journey ahead will make the lives of children and youth in our country even more valuable and enriched."
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