Recognized for Contributions to Spreading Financial Knowledge Through Broadcasting
The 9th Financial Day ceremony was held on the 29th at the FKI Tower in Seoul. Financial Services Commission Chairman Kim Byung-hwan is presenting the Presidential Citation to singer Kim Jong-kook.
Singer Kim Jong-kook received a presidential citation for his contribution to raising awareness about the importance of saving.
On the 29th, the Financial Services Commission awarded a total of 191 people, including Kim Jong-kook, Lee Junho of the group 2PM, and actress Chae Soo-bin (real name Bae Soo-bin), at the 9th 'Finance Day' ceremony held at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul.
Kim Jong-kook was honored with the presidential citation in recognition of his efforts to promote thorough saving practices and the importance of financial management to the public, as well as spreading financial knowledge through broadcasting.
Finance Day is a legally designated commemorative day established to increase public interest in finance and to encourage workers in the financial sector. In his congratulatory speech, Kim Byung-hwan, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, emphasized, "Although the meaning of saving is expanding to include investment, saving?meaning accumulating assets by setting aside small amounts of spare funds?remains important."
Known as the "national penny-pincher," Kim Jong-kook has shown his frugal lifestyle through variety shows such as SBS's "My Ugly Duckling" and "Running Man." He named soap and tissue as the birthday gifts he most wanted and lived thriftily by, for example, washing and reusing wet wipes. Recently, he said he did not turn on the air conditioner even once this year, adding, "It feels really rewarding to get through the summer without using the air conditioner. It makes me feel like I endured this year as well."
Meanwhile, Lee Junho received the Prime Minister's citation for his continuous volunteer work and various donations through World Vision. Chae Soo-bin received the Financial Services Commissioner's citation for practicing sharing activities in various social fields, including serving as an ambassador for the Community Chest of Korea.
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