Selection of Exemplary National Veterans
Succession of April 19 Spirit through 30 Years of Commemorative Projects
Contribution to Enhancing the Status of Public Law Organizations
Kim Ki-byeong, Chairman and CEO of Lotte Tour Development, was selected as a model national merit recipient at the government awards ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in honor of the Month of Patriots and Veterans, receiving the Order of Civil Merit, Moran Medal.
Kim Ki-byeong, CEO and Chairman of Lotte Tour Development (right), is shaking hands with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo after being awarded the Moran Medal of the Order of Civil Merit for his contributions to inheriting the spirit of the April 19 Revolution and enhancing the status of public law organizations through the April 19 Revolution commemorative project. [Photo by Lotte Tour Development]
On the 27th, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs awarded government honors to a total of 27 people, including 21 exemplary patriots and veterans and 6 external contributors who led the spread of patriotic culture. Chairman Kim was recognized for his contributions over the past 30 years in inheriting the revolutionary spirit through the April 19 Revolution commemorative projects and enhancing the status of public law organizations.
During the April 19 Revolution in 1960, while attending Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Kim served as the chairman of the National Student Order Restoration Committee (elected by the nationwide student council leaders) and was awarded the Order of Founding of the Nation in 1963 as a contributor to the April 19 Revolution.
He later served as the executive chairman of the 50th anniversary commemorative project for the April 19 Revolution and as chairman of the 60th anniversary commemorative project. Since last year, he has been active as the chairman of the April 19 Revolution Public Law Organizations Federation (including the Democratic Revolution Association, Victims’ Families Association, and Contributors’ Association), contributing to the inheritance of the noble spirit of the April 19 Revolution.
Notably, he contributed to widely promoting the April 19 Revolution by installing commemorative markers in eight regions nationwide and publishing the history of the April 19 Revolution, distributing it to libraries of educational institutions and public organizations across the country.
He has also carried out various commemorative projects such as enhancing the cultural welfare of veterans, supporting military unit consolation funds, sponsoring scholarships, sports, culture, and arts, thereby inheriting the spirit of April 19 and elevating the status of public law organizations.
Meanwhile, the Order of Civil Merit is awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the welfare of the people and national development in the fields of politics, economy, society, education, and academia in the Republic of Korea. It is classified into five grades: the highest grade Mugunghwa Medal, second grade Moran Medal, third grade Dongbaek Medal, fourth grade Mokryeon Medal, and fifth grade Seokryu Medal.
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