Winners selected from 23 candidates across 8 categories, including natural sciences, literature, performing arts and sports

Winners of the Busan Metropolitan City Culture Award. (Top row, from left) Jo Yeong-rae, Lee Seok-rae, Park Seong-wan, Park Su-cheol; (bottom row, from left) Son Sim-sim, Son Gap-do, Kim Seong-bae, Kim Jeong-gi. [Busan city government]
Winners of the Busan Metropolitan City Culture Award. (Top row, from left) Jo Yeong-rae, Lee Seok-rae, Park Seong-wan, Park Su-cheol; (bottom row, from left) Son Sim-sim, Son Gap-do, Kim Seong-bae, Kim Jeong-gi. [Busan city government]

Busan city government will hold the 69th Busan Metropolitan City Culture Award ceremony Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the main conference room of City Hall, honoring individuals who have contributed to the city's cultural development and expanded residents' access to the arts.

The city received nominations through referrals from cultural and arts organizations as well as petitions signed by 20 or more residents, yielding 23 candidates. After a review by the Cultural Cooperation Committee last month, winners in eight categories were finalized.

In the natural sciences category, Jo Yeong-rae, a professor at Pusan National University, was recognized for his contributions to materials engineering research, industrial technology development, the promotion of science culture and the cultivation of future talent. In the literature category, Lee Seok-rae, former chairman of the Busan Writers' Association, was honored for strengthening the association, building the region's literary foundation and broadening public engagement with literature.

In performing arts, Park Seong-wan, professor emeritus at Pusan National University, was recognized for his dedication to developing local music and training musicians, as well as for expanding cultural opportunities for residents. In visual arts, Park Su-cheol, professor emeritus at Dong-A University, was honored for his work in textile art creation and research, mentoring younger artists and contributing to the development of the local arts and design industry.

In traditional arts, Son Sim-sim, a transmission educator at the Dongnaeyaryu Preservation Society, was recognized for promoting the value of Busan's traditional arts through the preservation, transmission, education and performance of Dongnaeyaryu. In sports, Son Gap-do, a former national wrestling team member, was honored for raising the profile of Korean athletics through strong results at the Olympics and World Championships.

In press and publishing, Kim Seong-bae, head of Haeseong Publishing, was recognized for advancing the local publishing culture, supporting local authors' creative work and spreading a culture of reading. In spatial arts, Kim Jeong-gi, president of Gyeongdong Construction Co., was honored for realizing artistic and public values in architecture, improving the residential environment and contributing to the development of Busan's architectural culture.

Established in 1957, the Busan Metropolitan City Culture Award has named 434 recipients over 69 editions, cementing its status as the city's preeminent cultural honor. The city also supports winners' ongoing creative and research activities and funds joint performances, exhibitions and forums to foster exchange and the sharing of achievements among past recipients.

Mayor Jeon Jae-soo pledged to build "Busan as a city of cultural fundamentals — where residents enjoy culture in their daily lives, artists devote themselves to creation, and young people are free to pursue their dreams in the arts."


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