Event to be held Friday at Mayfield Hotel Seoul under theme 'Airports that open regions, aviation that connects the future'
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Aviation Association will hold a ceremony Friday at Mayfield Hotel Seoul to mark the 46th Aviation Day. Jin Air General Manager Jung Hoon-sik will receive an industrial merit award at the event.
The ceremony is being held under the theme "Airports that open regions, aviation that connects the future" to honor aviation workers who have strived to advance the industry despite an uncertain international environment, including the conflict in the Middle East, and to boost their professional pride.
Land Minister Hong Ji-seon, National Assembly lawmakers, and representatives from Korea Airports Corporation, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and various airlines, along with officials from related organizations, are expected to attend.
The event will include government commendations and ministerial citations for 41 individuals who have contributed to the development of the aviation industry and on-site innovation, as well as an awards ceremony for the 12th Aviation Literature Prize. Jung, who receives the top honor of the industrial merit award, was recognized for more than 30 years of service in the aviation sector, including launching routes to 13 regional airports, establishing an in-house safety committee, and operating an aviation scholarship foundation.
The grand prize at the 12th Aviation Literature Prize — the land minister's award — went to a novel titled "UM (Unaccompanied Minor)" by Jung Hye-sik. The work tells the story of a child waiting for a father who was injured while inspecting the airfield to ensure safe flight operations, delicately exploring the themes of responsibility on the aviation front line and the meaning of "arrival" as it reaches a family.
In conjunction with Aviation Day week, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air and other carriers have been running a range of events since Oct. 21, including airfare discount promotions on their websites and a public quiz on the Ontong Plaza platform.
Land Minister Hong is expected to say at the ceremony: "Aviation workers who have done their best in their respective roles to grow and advance the aviation industry despite an uncertain international environment deserve great recognition for their efforts. The government will also make aviation safety its top priority, work to revitalize regional airports and expand international route networks to connect regions and the world more closely, and actively support the continued growth of our aviation industry, including in maintenance, repair and overhaul."
Aviation Day has been observed since 1981 to commemorate Oct. 30, 1948, when an aircraft operated by Korean National Airlines made its inaugural flight on the Seoul–Busan route.
smh@heraldcorp.com
