"Faces That Brightened Wando"... Dongkyo Kim Receives 'Citizen Award'

Six Korean Business Leaders Abroad Named 'Honorary Citizens'
Recognized for Community Service and Contributions to the Local Economy

Wando County, South Jeolla Province, announced on the 22nd that it held the '54th Wando Citizen Award and Honorary Citizen Selection Committee' and selected Dongkyo Kim, CEO of Bohae Brewery's Wando branch, as the recipient of the main prize in the social welfare and environment category of the 'Citizen Award'.

According to the county, this committee considered a total of three individuals and one organization as candidates for the 'Citizen Award': one in the education, culture, and sports category; one individual and one organization in the social welfare and environment category; and one in the local defense and order category. In addition, six individuals were recommended as honorary citizens. The final awardees were reviewed and decided at the 'Investigation Committee' meeting held on the 13th.

CEO Dongkyo Kim, Recipient of the 'Citizen Award'

CEO Dongkyo Kim was recognized for his continuous volunteer activities throughout the community, including sharing coal briquettes, repairing homes for vulnerable groups, and supporting Alzheimer’s patients, which have helped spread a 'positive influence' in the region. He was also highly praised for his substantial contributions to the local economy, such as actively proposing to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries the deployment of a ferry to resume the Korea-Japan ferry service, which had been suspended since 2018, in cooperation with the county, local organizations, and related agencies.

Six overseas Korean business leaders were selected as 'Honorary Citizens' for upholding the spirit of challenge and pioneering of Admiral Jang Bogo around the world, enhancing Korea’s reputation, and contributing to the expansion of export markets for Wando’s specialty products.

The selected individuals are: Jeongmin Kang, Chairman of Ta'an Tasmania; Kyungho Shin, Chairman of Geumjeong Academy Foundation; Jeombae Kim, CEO of Cheongwan Co., Ltd.; Yonghee Jeon, CEO of Braden Bakery & Coffee; Gwangcheol Eom, Chairman of Dalian Seonseong Holdings Group; and Sanggu Ko, Chairman of K&K Trading. They were recognized for their efforts in forming close networks with Wando County and leading the promotion and development of overseas markets for local specialties such as seaweed.

Meanwhile, the 'Wando Citizen’s Day' commemorative event, marking its 54th year, was originally scheduled for the 30th of this month. However, as that day has been designated as an early voting day for the 21st presidential election, the event will instead be held at 2 p.m. on June 5 at the Wando Culture and Arts Center.