Yun Dongju, Kim Namjo to Receive Geumgwan Orders Posthumously; Lee Hyunse, Jeon Musong and Park Jeongja to Receive Silver Crown Orders

Poets Yun Dongju and Kim Namjo, both posthumously, will be awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest grade of the Order of Cultural Merit.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will hold the 2026 Awards Ceremony for Contributions to Culture and the Arts at 2 p.m. on October 26 at Modu Arts Theater in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The ceremony will honor 36 people who have contributed to the development of culture and the arts: 17 with the Order of Cultural Merit, six with the Korea Arts and Culture Award (Presidential Commendation), eight with the Young Artist Award of the Year (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation), and five with the Outstanding Parents of Artists Award (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation).

The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded to people with distinguished records of contributing to the development of culture and the arts and to the cultural enrichment of the public. The Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit is the highest grade, and this year it will be awarded posthumously to poets Yun Dongju and Kim Namjo.

Poet Yun Dongju, who was posthumously awarded the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit (left), and poet Kim Namjo. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Yun Dongju is one of Korea's leading poets. During the Japanese colonial period, he wrote lyrical, introspective poems in Korean that expressed the nation's suffering and spirit of resistance. Kim Namjo contributed to the development of Korean literature by publishing more than 1,000 poems and essays over a period of more than 70 years.

Five people will receive the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit: cartoonist Lee Hyunse, poet Yu Anjin, actors Jeon Musong and Park Jeongja, and the late visual artist Jeong Sanghwa. Six people will receive the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit: hanbok designer Kim Hyesoon, film director Park Gyeongsam, poet Kim Gwanggyu, novelist Kim Hongsin, pianist Seo Gyesuk, and dancer Kim Sukja.

Three people will receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit: the late sijo master Lee Yeongjun, the late dancer Mun Byeongnam, and master stone artisan Yun Mangeol. Architect Cheon Uiyeong will receive the Hwagan Order of Cultural Merit.

Six people will receive the Korea Arts and Culture Award, a Presidential Commendation: art director Jeong Guho, novelist Kim Aeran, ajaeng player Kim Yeonggil, theater art director Kang Ryangwon, installation artist Kim Seungyeong, and craft curator Im Miseon. Each recipient will receive 10 million won in prize money.

Cartoonist Lee Hyun-se, poet Yu An-jin, actor Jeon Moo-song, actor Park Jeong-ja, and late visual artist Jeong Sang-hwa, all recipients of the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit (from left). Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Eight people will receive the Young Artist Award of the Year: novelist Yesoyeon, composer Kim Sin, geomungo player Lee Jaeha, performance producer Sin Baram, choreographer Jeon Hyeokjin, visual artist Kim Yeongeun, craft artist Park Jongjin, and architecture curator Jeong Dayoung. Each will receive a Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation and 5 million won in prize money.

Five people have been selected for the Outstanding Parents of Artists Award: Gi Juhyeon, mother of artist Song Wonjun; Yeom Jihoon, father of dancer Yeom Dayeon; Lee Myeonghui, mother of actor Baek Jiyun; Lee Uisun, mother of poet Lee Jeongrok; and Im Gyeongsin, mother of visual artist Han Buyeol. Each will receive a plaque of appreciation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a prize worth 4 million won.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has presented the Korea Arts and Culture Award since 1969 to recognize artists who have contributed to the development of culture and the arts. Since adding the Order of Cultural Merit to the honors in 1973, the ministry has selected and recognized people who have contributed to the development of culture and the arts every year.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwiyeong said, "Today's K-culture is built on the dedication and sacrifices of the award recipients." He added, "I will do my utmost to ensure that artists working today and in the future can pursue their work in better conditions."

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