Lotte Distribution Group Awards the 6th Sangjeon Distribution Academic Award... Grand Prize to Professor Lee Jeonghee of Chung-Ang University

Academic Award Named After Lotte Founder Ho 'Sangjeon'
45 Million KRW Awarded to 27 Recipients Through Last Year

Lotte Distribution Group and the Korea Distribution Science Association held the ‘6th Sangjeon Distribution Academic Awards’ ceremony on the 19th at Signiel Seoul in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

The ‘Sangjeon (象殿) Distribution Academic Award’ was named after the pen name ‘Sangjeon’ of the late Shin Kyuk-ho, Honorary Chairman of Lotte Group, in 2019 to discover and nurture researchers who have driven the development of the distribution industry. Since the first awardee in 2019, a total prize money of 450 million KRW has been awarded to 27 scholars who contributed to the advancement of distribution-related research and policy fields up to last year.

This year, a total prize money of 100 million KRW will be awarded to six recipients: one Grand Prize winner, four recipients of the Best Academic Research Award across three categories including academic, policy, and logistics, and one recipient of the New Scholar Research Award.

The Grand Prize goes to Professor Lee Jeong-hee of Chung-Ang University. During her tenure as president of the Korea Distribution Science Association, Professor Lee emphasized that coexistence among large corporations, small and medium enterprises, and small business owners leads to increased consumer benefits. She was also recognized for leading the development of the distribution industry by acting as a bridge between industry and academia through various seminars and forums. Professor Lee has consistently engaged in educational activities, including establishing and operating distribution-related majors to nurture talent in the distribution field.

The Best Academic Awards in the academic category are awarded to Professor Park Jeong-geun of Hanyang University and Professor Lee Ho-taek of Keimyung University. Professor Park has contributed to the advancement of distribution studies by publishing over 140 research papers in domestic and international academic journals and numerous papers in internationally influential marketing journals. He also performs educational and advisory roles in various companies alongside his extensive academic research activities. Professor Lee, vice president of the Korea Distribution Science Association, has published a total of 126 papers, including many in-depth studies related to online distribution standardization and improvement measures. He has also contributed to the development of distribution studies by participating in projects promoting franchise business.

Professor Jang Myung-gyun of Hoseo University was selected for the Best Policy Award. Professor Jang has been actively involved in distribution industry and government policy development through committee activities at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Customs Service, and various local governments. Notably, he has conducted 29 research projects related to distribution policy and sales channel policy and consistently published numerous research papers on distribution industry development plans.

Professor Park Min-young of Inha University received the Best Award in the logistics category. Through logistics research projects, Professor Park contributed to promoting digital transformation in manufacturing, distribution, and logistics companies and establishing a foundation for living logistics services. Currently serving as vice president of the Korea Logistics Society, she participates in academic research, policy research, and advisory activities for public institutions related to logistics policies such as digital logistics services.

Finally, the New Scholar Research Award was given to Professor Ji Sun-young of Shingu University. Professor Ji has been highly evaluated for her continuous interest in innovating online and offline distribution channels using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and for demonstrating the necessary capabilities as a new researcher by conducting research related to distribution and strategy formulation for various brands.

Meanwhile, the award ceremony was attended by six representatives from the distribution group, including Kim Sang-hyun, Vice Chairman and General Representative of Lotte Distribution Group, Jung Jun-ho, CEO of Lotte Department Store, and Kang Sung-hyun, CEO of Lotte Mart & Super. Kim Sang-hyun, Vice Chairman and General Representative of Lotte Distribution Group, said, “In a situation where domestic demand stagnation has prolonged, policy proposals and academic research by scholars serve as a focal point presenting the future vision and alternatives for distribution.” He added, “We hope that the Sangjeon Distribution Academic Award will serve as a catalyst for interest and active research in distribution studies and promote the development of the distribution industry both domestically and internationally.”