Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) gives a commemorative speech at 2020 Anniversary of Science and Information & Communications Days at the Korea Science and Technology Hall on April 21. (Photo: MSIT)

The highly coveted Order of Science and Technological Merit, Changjo (Creation), went to Prof. Kim Sung-jin of Ewha Womans University.

Chairman Jang Byung-gyu of the Board of Directors of Krafton, a video game developer, was awarded with the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower.

Prof. Kim was honored for leading the development of the nano science segment.

Chairman Kim was recognized for his leading roles in establishing national groundwork for the 4th Industrial Revolution, while serving as the first chairman of the Korea 4Th Industrial Revolution Committee.

The two are among the order and other prize winners praised during a ceremony to jointly celebrate the 2020 Science and Information & Communications Days.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and Korea Communications Commission (KCC) hosted the 2020 anniversary of Science Day, which fell on April 21, and Information and Communications Day, which fell on April 22.

The joint ceremony was organized by the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Associations (KOFST) and the Korea Federation of ICT Organizations at the Korea Science and Technology Hall on April 21.

The event changed into a small one in which out of 129 award winners, only eight winning representatives were allowed to take part, due to government orders on social distancing. Instead, it was televised live on line.

Four representative participants were selected from science & technology and information & communications sectors in consideration of symbolic features, achievements, sex, age, and others.

A few dignitaries also participated in the ceremony. They included MSIT Minister Choi Ki-young, Huh Wook, a standing member of KCC, KOFST Chairman Lee Woo-il, and Chairman Lee Gye-cheol of the Korea Federation of ICT Organizations.

Seventy-nine persons were honored for their contribution to the development of the science & technology sector. They included 26 order winners, nine medal awardees, 20 presidential prize recipients, and 24 prime minister’s prize winners.

President Cho Jeong-woo of SK Biopharmceutials was presented with the Order of Science and Technological Merit, Hyeokshin (Innovation) for developing Cenobamaite, a drug for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults.

Other winners of the Order of Science and Technological Merit, Hyeokshin include Hwang Sung-woo, senior researcher with Korea Institute of Science and Technology; President Hwang Sung-woo of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology; Prof. Kim Ki-beom of Seoul National University; Lee Pyeong-guu, senior researcher with Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources; Prof. Song Yong-jin of Inha University; and President Park Jung-ho of SK Telecom.

Among the winners of the Order of Science and Technological Merit, Woongbi (Ascent) are Prof. Yoo Hong-hee of Hanyang University, Prof. Park Ki-dong of Ajou University, and President Kang Hak-hui of Kolmar Korea’s Technology Research Institute.

Awardees from the information and communications sector are four order winners, five medal awardees, 15 presidential prize winners and 19 prime minister’s award winners.

They include eight awardees - an order winner, a medal awardee, 2 presidential prize recipients and four prime minister’s award winners - in recognition of their contribution to Korea’s commercialization of the world’s first 5G telecom.

Prof. Kim Dong-gu was honored with the Order of Service Merit, Hwangjo, while Senior Executive Vice President Jun Jae-ho of Samsung Electronics was presented with the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Bronze Tower.

The Industrial Medal went to Senior Executive Vice President Oh Se-hyun of SK Telecom, Senior Executive Vice President Jun Hong-beom of KT. 

Director Park Tae-wan in charge of ICT and Broadcasting technology policy at MSIT was honored with the Service Merit Medal.

MSIT Minister Choi said, “Korea’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is fruits of Korean people’s matured citizenship and civic consciousness, quarantine officials and medical personnel’s dedication, and endeavors and responsibilities by those in science & technology and information & communications sectors.”

The ministry will prepare a shift into a more digital society and mobilize science, technology and ICT capabilities to create new industries and jobs, he added.