In Memory of Samsung Founder

Ho-Am Foundation awards recipients for excellence in five key areas

The Ho-Am Foundation presented its 2006 Ho-Am Awards to the five recipients for their outstanding contributions in the five areas of endeavor at a ceremony held June 1 at Ho-Am Art Hall in downtown Seoul.
The award recipients included Professor Kim Ki-moon, 52, of Pohang University in the area of science; Chair Professor Shin Kang-geun, 60, of Michigan University in the area of engineering; Dr. Choi Yong-won, 44, of the University of Pennsylvania in the area of medicine; Park Wan-seo, 75, a novelist in the area of art; and Yoon Ki, 64, honorary chairman of the Kongsaeng Welfare Foundation in the area of social service. The awards included a cash prize of 200 million won each and a gold medal.
Each award recipient thanked their family members for the award in stating how appreciative each was for the award, expressing love for family members, deeply moving those attending the ceremony.
Dr. Choi, who is the youngest award winner, said he felt his late father was with him at the ceremony, and cried out to his mother, watching him at the gallery that the award belongs to her. He was unable to continue with his statement because of tears swelling in his eyes.
Novelist Park, the oldest award recipient, read her prepared statement and at the end, added that she is so old, but still misses her mom because the day is such a good day.
Dignitaries present at the event included Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee and his wife, Prime Minister Han Myung-sook, and Yosawa Hiroyuki, chairman of the Japan Prize Foundation, among some 600 attendees.
Prime Minister Han, in her congratulatory speech, said the Ho-Am Award has become the Nobel Award in Korea, meaning that the achievements made by the award recipients have permeated in every nook and corner of the world.
Other dignitaries and high ranking government officials included Minister of Board of Audit Jeon Yun-cheol, DPM and Science-Technology Minister Kim Woo-sik, Reps. Kim Duck-kyu, Kim Yong-kap, Hwang Woo-yeo, Lee Seok-hyun, and Park Hi-tae, vice speaker of the National Assembly. Also present were former prime ministers Hyun Seung-jong, Chung Won-sik, and Goh Kun. Chancellor of Seoul National University Chung Woon-chan, Chancellor of Korea University Eoh Yun-dae, Chancellor of Yonsei University, Chancellor Suh Jeong-don of Sungkyungwan University, Lee Hee-bum, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, Chairman Park Sam-koo of Kumho-Asiana Group, Chairman Cho Nam-wook of Sambu Construction Co., Chairman Lee Jun-yong of Daelim Industrial Co., Chairman of Woori Bank Hwang Young-ki, President Han Wan-sang of Korea Red Cross, Chairman of the Korea National Council of Women Kim Hwa-jung, Lee Jun, chairman of the Korea Arts Academy, and President Kwon Young-bin of Joongang Daily News were also present at the event. nw

Winners of Ho-Am Foundation Awards pose for photos with a group of dignitaries present at the award ceremony at Ho-Am Art Hall June 1. Dignitaries included Prime Minister Han Myung-sook, DPM and Science-Technology Minister Kim Woo-sik, former Prime Minister Goh Kun, Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, among others.