By Kwon Mee-yoo
Korean golf legend Pak Se-ri has been recognized for promoting the image of Korea in 2016 by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), it announced Monday.
The CICI, led by Hankuk University of Foreign Studies professor Choi Jung-wha, annually awards people that contribute to publicizing Korea and its image abroad.
Pak, the pioneering former LPGA player, won the top prize Korea Image Stepping Stone Award for her outstanding performance in golf upon making her LPGA debut, showing the potential of Korean players.
"Pak's series of victories gave hope to Koreans suffering through the financial crisis back then," the CICI said in a statement. "She also remained in the field as a coach after retirement, serving as an anchor for the so-called Se-ri Kids, the next generation of Korean female golf players inspired by Pak."
The Stepping Stone Bridge Award went to Google DeepMind's artificial intelligence (AI) AlphaGo, which had a match with Korea's champion go player Lee Se-dol in March.
The CICI said AlphaGo played the match of the century against Lee and attracted the world's attention to Korea by representing how human life changes through AI.
Cho Tae-kwon, CEO of pottery and liquor company Kwangjuyo Group, received the Korea Image Firestone Award. Cho has been promoting Korean food culture for over 30 years and the company's fine ceramics and premium soju brand Hwayo kindled global interest in Korean food.
Cho's Kwangjuyo also runs two Korean restaurants ― Gaon in southern Seoul and Bicena in Itaewon, Seoul. The Korean dining venues won three stars and one star, respectively, from the prestigious Michelin Guide released last month, proving Cho's efforts.
The award ceremony will be held at COEX InterContinental in southern Seoul on Jan. 11.
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| Golf player Pak Se-ri |
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| Cho Tae-kwon |
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Go player Lee Se-dol and AlphaGo |
The CICI, led by Hankuk University of Foreign Studies professor Choi Jung-wha, annually awards people that contribute to publicizing Korea and its image abroad.
Pak, the pioneering former LPGA player, won the top prize Korea Image Stepping Stone Award for her outstanding performance in golf upon making her LPGA debut, showing the potential of Korean players.
"Pak's series of victories gave hope to Koreans suffering through the financial crisis back then," the CICI said in a statement. "She also remained in the field as a coach after retirement, serving as an anchor for the so-called Se-ri Kids, the next generation of Korean female golf players inspired by Pak."
The Stepping Stone Bridge Award went to Google DeepMind's artificial intelligence (AI) AlphaGo, which had a match with Korea's champion go player Lee Se-dol in March.
The CICI said AlphaGo played the match of the century against Lee and attracted the world's attention to Korea by representing how human life changes through AI.
Cho Tae-kwon, CEO of pottery and liquor company Kwangjuyo Group, received the Korea Image Firestone Award. Cho has been promoting Korean food culture for over 30 years and the company's fine ceramics and premium soju brand Hwayo kindled global interest in Korean food.
Cho's Kwangjuyo also runs two Korean restaurants ― Gaon in southern Seoul and Bicena in Itaewon, Seoul. The Korean dining venues won three stars and one star, respectively, from the prestigious Michelin Guide released last month, proving Cho's efforts.
The award ceremony will be held at COEX InterContinental in southern Seoul on Jan. 11.
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