99th Korean Braille Day: Awards Presented to Ottogi and Other Contributors

Commemorative Ceremony to Be Held at the National Library of Korea on November 4

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Blind Union, will hold a ceremony commemorating the 99th Korean Braille Day at 2:00 p.m. on November 4 at the National Library of Korea.

Poster for Korean Braille Day event. Provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

This year’s ceremony is themed “Letters Continued by Touch, a World Created by Heart,” reflecting the hope that visually impaired individuals can enjoy a more convenient and joyful life alongside those without visual impairments through Braille. The event will include a report on the history of Korean Braille Day, a themed video featuring interviews that highlight “intergenerational connections through Korean Braille,” and awards for those who have contributed to the advancement of Korean Braille.

Awards will be presented to contributors to the development of Korean Braille, including the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, the Director of the National Institute of Korean Language Award, the President of the Korea Blind Union Award, and the President of the Korea Braille Library Association Award. The Minister’s Award will go to: Ottogi, for thoughtfully adding Korean Braille to various products such as cup noodles, ketchup, and mayonnaise to enhance convenience for the visually impaired; Lim Jibin, Vice President of the Seoul Catholic Mission for the Blind, for developing and distributing new teaching and learning methods for Korean Braille to support the social integration of those who lost their sight later in life; and the head of Hasang Welfare Center for the Disabled, who has worked for 25 years as a Braille transcription proofreader to provide accurate and proper Braille materials to both visually impaired and non-disabled individuals. Professor Kim Junghyun of Baekseok University will receive the Director of the National Institute of Korean Language Award. Gong Jeongnam, a member of the Gwangju Blind Union, will receive the President of the Korea Blind Union Award. Kim Hyunyoung, in charge of the Braille Library at Daegu University, will receive the President of the Korea Braille Library Association Award. Hanwha Group will be presented with a plaque of appreciation from the Korea Blind Union for producing and distributing one million Korean Braille calendars, thereby helping to bridge the information gap for the visually impaired.

‘Korean Braille Week’ events held at Gangnam Square and online until November 7

In addition, to mark Korean Braille Day, a Braille experience event will be held at Gangnam Square on November 4 for people without visual impairments, where participants can make Braille business cards and bookmarks, aiming to raise awareness of Braille and the visually impaired. Online events, such as Braille-related quizzes, will also be held throughout the week.

Kim Youngsoo, First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, “For nearly 100 years, Korean Braille has been passed down through generations, enabling visually impaired individuals to access information, knowledge, culture, and the arts,” and added, “The Ministry will continue to strive to ensure that the visually impaired can access a wealth of information and diverse cultures without discrimination through Korean Braille.”