Kim Jinhwan of Hakjisa to Receive Silver Crown Order; 29 Honored for Contributions to Publishing Culture

40th Book Day Ceremony... Government Awards for Contributions to Publishing
Joo Yeonseon of Euny Publishing and Professor Kim Kitae of Semyung University to Receive Presidential Citations
Kim Jongsu of Hanul M Plus and Lee Jiyeon of Ijiseu Publishing to Receive Prime Minister's Commendations

Kim Jinhwan, CEO of Hakjisa, will receive the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit for his contributions to the development of publishing culture.

Kim Jinhwan, CEO of Hakjisa, is receiving the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit on the occasion of the 40th Book Day. Since founding Hakjisa in 1992, he has published more than 7,000 titles in the humanities and social sciences and has been recognized for his contributions to the development of the academic publishing ecosystem, including protecting copyrights and promoting electronic publishing. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will present government awards to 29 people, including Kim, for their contributions to the development of publishing culture at the 40th Book Day ceremony, to be held on October 12 at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. This year's awards comprise one Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, two Presidential Citations, two Prime Minister's Commendations, and 24 commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Kim, who will receive the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, has published more than 7,000 titles in the humanities and social sciences since founding Hakjisa in 1992. He expanded specialized publishing by establishing and operating publishing and education organizations, including Hakjisa Medical, Hakjisa Edu, and Wisebox. During his tenure as president of the Korea Academic Publishing Association, he worked to address major issues in academic publishing, including rationalizing the distribution of copyright compensation payments, combating illegal copying, and promoting electronic publishing.

Joo Yeonseon, CEO of Ginkgo Tree Publishing (left), and Professor Kim Kitae of Semyung University receive Presidential Commendations at the 40th Book Day Ceremony. Joo was recognized for discovering emerging writers and promoting Korean literature overseas, while Kim was honored for research in publishing and copyright and for training professionals. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Presidential Citations will go to Joo Yeonseon, CEO of Euny Publishing, and Professor Kim Kitae of Semyung University.

Since founding Euny Publishing in 1997, Joo has published more than 1,200 titles in literature, the humanities, and the arts. She has worked to discover emerging writers and develop genre fiction, and has contributed to launching the literary magazine Axt, introducing world literature, promoting Korean literature overseas, and training publishing professionals.

Professor Kim, a researcher in publishing and copyright, has taught in the Department of Publishing at Semyung University since 2001. For 25 years, he has worked to educate students in copyright and research ethics. He was recognized for his contributions to the advancement of publishing studies and the training of professionals, including through his work as the head and an officer of publishing-related academic associations and his efforts to promote industry-academia collaboration.

Kim Jongsu, CEO of Hanul M Plus (left), and Lee Jiyeon, CEO of Aegis Publishing, receive the Prime Minister’s Commendation at the 40th Book Day Commemoration Ceremony. Kim was recognized for his contributions to social science publishing and improvements in publishing distribution, while Lee was honored for her contributions to publishing in the IT and education sectors and the digitalization of the publishing industry. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Prime Minister's Commendations will go to Kim Jongsu, CEO of Hanul M Plus, and Lee Jiyeon, CEO of Ijiseu Publishing.

Since founding his publishing company in 1980, Kim has published more than 4,000 titles in the social sciences. In his work as the head of publishing-related organizations, he has helped lay the groundwork for the publishing industry's sustained growth through research on publishing policy, improvements to distribution, and the training of professionals.

Lee entered the publishing industry in 1994 and founded Ijiseu Publishing in 2010. By publishing practical books on information technology (IT) and education, she has contributed to the popularization of digital technology, the digitalization of the publishing industry, improvements to distribution, and overseas expansion.

In addition, 24 people, including Kim Seonsik, CEO of Dasan Books; Shin Jeongmin, CEO of Gyoyudang; and In Yeonga, editorial director at Tteindol Publishing, will receive commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Book Day was established by the publishing industry in 1987 to commemorate the completion of the Tripitaka Koreana on October 11, 1251. This year's ceremony is organized by the Korea Publishing Culture Association. Kim Youngsoo, First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is scheduled to attend and congratulate the award recipients.

Vice Minister Kim said, "Books are precious assets that carry the knowledge, thoughts, and experiences of our society to the next generation, as well as a source of K-content. The government will stay in close communication with the publishing industry and actively support the discovery and use of publishing intellectual property (IP), overseas expansion, and the promotion of a reading culture, so that more high-quality publishing content can be created and expanded into diverse fields."

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