FSC Awards Outstanding Public Officials... Hongjo Geunjeong Medal to Director Kim Jinhong

Government Commendations Including Presidential Citations

The Financial Services Commission awarded government commendations, including Outstanding Public Official, Republic of Korea Public Official Award, and Exemplary Public Official Award, to 11 individuals who achieved excellent results last year through proactive administration and other efforts.

For the Outstanding Public Official award, a total of six individuals were recognized: one with the Hongjo Geunjeong Medal, two with Presidential Citations, and three with Prime Minister's Citations. For the Republic of Korea Public Official Award, a total of three individuals were honored: one with a Presidential Citation and two with Prime Minister's Citations. For the Exemplary Public Official (Prime Minister's Citation), two individuals were recognized.

Director Kim Jinhong received the Hongjo Geunjeong Medal. He was recognized for his contributions to expanding inclusive finance by reducing the financial burden on low-income and vulnerable groups and strengthening consumer protection, as demonstrated during his tenure as Director of the Financial Consumer Bureau last year, where he led initiatives such as the New Leap Fund and Youth Future Savings. Section Chief Seo Nayoon and Section Chief Song Byungkwan, who received Presidential Citations, were highly praised for their respective efforts: Seo for implementing credit recovery support measures for diligent debtors, including credit amnesty, and Song for laying the groundwork for the economic recovery of vulnerable groups through the write-off of long-term delinquent bonds. Section Chief Yang Jaehun, Team Leader Ahn Namgi, and Senior Specialist Kim Youngmin received Prime Minister's Citations. Yang was recognized for contributing to stable asset formation among young people, Ahn for his efforts to ensure soundness in the mutual finance sector, and Kim for his prompt response to security incidents in the financial sector and for establishing measures to prevent recurrence.

Team Leader Yoon Deokgi received a Presidential Citation for establishing a stable household debt management framework, including the introduction of the Debt Service Ratio (DSR) system focused on borrowers' repayment ability. Section Chief Ko Sangbeom was awarded a Prime Minister's Citation for his role in capital market innovation and enhancing investor trust by developing the Corporate Value-Up Program and improving the short selling system, thereby laying the foundation for the KOSPI index to surpass 4,000 points. Deputy Director Kim Kitae was also recognized with a Prime Minister's Citation for laying the groundwork for a major shift to productive finance through the launch of the 150 trillion won National Growth Fund aimed at strengthening future industrial competitiveness.

Administrative Officer Kim Minseok oversaw administrative work for the Financial Policy Bureau and the Digital Finance Policy Division, contributing to smooth communication and organic cooperation between departments. Administrative Officer Shin Dongui responded promptly to the fire at the National Information Resources Service and took a leading role in building the next-generation information system for the Financial Services Commission. Both received Prime Minister's Citations.

The Financial Services Commission granted promotion incentives to working-level officials (Grade 5 and below) among this year's government award recipients. Administrative Officers Kim Minseok and Shin Dongui, who were selected as Exemplary Public Officials, will be promoted to Deputy Director in the first half of this year. Deputy Director Kim Kitae, who received the Republic of Korea Public Official Award, is expected to be the first among his peers to be promoted to Director this year.

The Financial Services Commission encourages the use of its internal bulletin board to recommend outstanding cases at any time, in order to foster an environment conducive to the spread of proactive administration. Proactive administration mileage will also be awarded to those who make recommendations.

The Commission also stated that it will ensure that the diligent work of staff who communicate with the public in less visible areas, such as civil service offices, is properly recognized. In the second half of last year, it promoted the early advancement of civil service staff and awarded two Chairman's Citations. End-of-year commendations were also given to working-level staff responsible for National Assembly affairs. The Commission announced plans to actively implement the newly introduced special performance bonus system for public officials this year, which can award up to 72 million won.