Over four decades of philanthropy... leading by example in noblesse oblige

More than 23,000 works from the 'Lee Kun-hee Collection' donated... 1 trillion won in medical contributions

Hong Ra-hee, honorary director of Leeum Museum of Art. [Newsis]
Hong Ra-hee, honorary director of Leeum Museum of Art. [Newsis]

Hong Ra-hee, honorary director of Leeum Museum of Art and widow of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, received the Dongbaek Medal of the Order of Civil Merit on Monday, the Samsung Culture Foundation said.

Hong was recognized for more than four decades of philanthropic work spanning culture, medicine and welfare.

The Order of Civil Merit is a government decoration awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to public welfare and national development in the fields of politics, economics, society, education and academia. The Dongbaek Medal is the third-highest grade of the order, after the Mugunghwa and Moran medals.

Hong has been at the forefront of noblesse oblige in South Korea, helping to elevate the country's culture of giving and strengthen its social safety net.

In 2021, Hong, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other family members jointly donated more than 23,000 artworks from the late chairman's personal collection to the state, broadening public access to cultural heritage.

Following a domestic touring exhibition of the Lee Kun-hee Collection, the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art launched an overseas special touring exhibition last November at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., the Art Institute of Chicago and the British Museum in London.

The family also returned 1 trillion won ($755 million) from Lee's estate to society through medical donations. Of that sum, 300 billion won went to children with pediatric cancer and rare diseases, leading to the establishment of the Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project. The remaining 700 billion won was directed toward building the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and developing research, treatment and infrastructure for the country's infectious disease response system.

Hong has also made ongoing cash donations to the Korean Red Cross, for which she received the Red Cross Medal of Honor in gold in 2024.


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