Kim Jin Young, President of Yeongju International Exchange Association, Selected for 'Korea Seonbi Award' by Yeongju City

Recognized for 35 Years of Practicing the Seonbi Spirit and Contributing to Local Community Development

Yeongju City announced on the 17th that Kim Jinyoung (86 years old), President of the Yeongju International Exchange Association, has been selected as the final recipient of the 7th Korea Seonbi Award.

The recipient was chosen through the evaluation of the Korea Seonbi Award Steering Committee, chaired by Kim Deokhwan. Kim Jinyoung was honored with the award in recognition of his 35 years of practicing the Seonbi spirit and his dedication to the development of the local community, having served as a member of the 13th National Assembly and as the first and second elected mayor of Yeongju City.

He took the lead in branding Yeongju, the home of Confucian culture, as the "City of Seonbi," and spearheaded projects such as the sanctification of Sosu Seowon, the establishment of Seonbichon and Sosu Museum, and the creation and regularization of the Korea Seonbi Culture Festival. These efforts greatly contributed to the systematic preservation and modern succession of Confucian cultural assets.

Such efforts are regarded as having made a significant impact not only on establishing the region's cultural identity but also on spreading spiritual culture nationwide. He also achieved tangible results in various fields such as education, agriculture, economy, and culture, and earned deep trust from citizens through his integrity and exemplary public service during his tenure.

Since 2018, when Yeongju City became the first in the nation to enact the "Korea Seonbi Award Ordinance," it has annually discovered and honored individuals or organizations who have inherited and practiced the Seonbi spirit. This year, a public call for candidates was held from January to the end of February, resulting in a total of seven applications (six individuals and one organization). After a three-stage evaluation process?document review, on-site inspection, and final assessment?the final recipient was selected.

The award ceremony will be held at the opening ceremony of the "2025 Yeongju Korea Seonbi Culture Festival" on May 3, where the Seonbi Award trophy and a prize of 10 million won will be presented.

Lee Jaehun, Acting Mayor of Yeongju, said, "I sincerely congratulate the recipient of the 7th Korea Seonbi Award," and added, "I hope you will continue to practice the Seonbi spirit and contribute to the development of the local community."

The Korea Seonbi Award has been presented annually since 2019 to individuals and organizations who have inherited and practiced the Seonbi spirit, starting with the first recipient, Jeong Beomjin, former president of Sungkyunkwan University, followed by organizations such as the Nammyung Institute, Lee Baeyong, president of the Korea Seowon Integrated Preservation Management Group, the Yulgok Institute, the Pakyak Association, and Shin Haejin, professor at Chonnam National University.