27th Social Welfare Day Commemorated... Choi Byungcheol Receives Camellia Medal for Donating 1.5 Billion Won to Establish Welfare Town for the Disabled

Welfare Ministry Honors 189 Social Welfare Contributors
Choi Byung-cheol, Former CEO of Global Together Gimje, Awarded the Camellia Medal

On September 7, the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a ceremony commemorating the 27th Social Welfare Day at the Seoul Garden Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, under the theme "A Nation Strong in Fundamentals, All-Encompassing and Warm Welfare." During the event, the ministry awarded decorations and medals to 189 individuals who dedicated themselves to protecting vulnerable populations and advancing social welfare. Approximately 200 people, including Jung Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare, key members of the National Assembly, and social welfare workers, attended the event to honor the commitment of those in the field. The event was held to mark Social Welfare Day, established in commemoration of the promulgation of the National Basic Livelihood Security Act.

Jung Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare (center), and award recipients attending the ceremony for the 27th Social Welfare Day. Ministry of Health and Welfare.

At the event, the government particularly recognized those who devoted their lives to supporting the independence of vulnerable groups and expanding local care infrastructure. The Camellia Medal of the Order of Civil Merit, the highest honor among the awards, was given to Choi Byung-cheol, former CEO of Global Together Gimje, for donating private land worth 1.5 billion won to establish a foundation for a welfare complex for people with disabilities, and for strengthening the region’s welfare system over 45 years. Kim Byung-sam, head of Yeongnak Borinwon, received the Magnolia Medal of the Order of Civil Merit for leading the organization for 38 years and supporting the growth and social integration of more than 1,000 children.

Additionally, the Order of Civil Service Merit was awarded to Hong Geum-hwa, head of Seongsan Pureunchojang Daytime Care Facility, for contributions to the independence of people with developmental disabilities and improving working conditions for staff, and to Kim Sung-yoon, CEO of Dongmyeonghoe, a social welfare foundation, for championing the rights of children and the elderly for 35 years. Kim Jeong-hee, director of Yangju City Welfare Center for the Disabled, who applied fourth industrial technologies to welfare services for people with disabilities, was among seven people to receive the Presidential Citation. Five individuals, including actor Kwon Oh-jung, who contributed to expanding the culture of sharing through their public influence, received the Prime Minister’s Citation.

On the same day, President Lee Jaemyung conveyed a written congratulatory message through Minister Jung Eun-kyung, stating, "We will build an even more robust and reliable welfare safety net next year by significantly raising the standard median income, expanding the 'Just Dream Center' nationwide, and reforming the identification system for households at risk and the benefit payment system." He also emphasized, "We will continue making policy efforts to improve treatment and working conditions so that everyone working in social welfare can take pride and feel fulfilled in their work."

Minister Jung Eun-kyung also expressed deep gratitude for the dedicated efforts of social welfare workers and stressed that the government will steadfastly maintain its policy commitment to improving working conditions and treatment of frontline staff.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.