By Yoon Ja-young
Korean scientists in the United States and violinist Chung Kyung-wha will be honored with the Ho-Am Prize this year, the Ho-Am Foundation announced. The prize includes 300 million won awarded to each recipient.
The foundation set up by Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee in 1990 to commemorate his late father Lee Byung-chull, the founder of Samsung, announced that Ha Taek-jip, a science professor at the University of Illinois, Thomas Lee, an engineering professor at Stanford University, Augustine Choi, professor at Harvard Medical School, and violinist Chung Kyung-wha have been selected as the recipients of the 21st Ho-Am Prize. The Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations will also be acknowledged.
“The winners were selected from candidates recommended by leading organizations and experts in each professional field through a strict 4 month evaluation by scholars and experts, advisory opinions, and on-the-spot surveys,” a representative for the Ho-Am Foundation said. The foundation has been awarding those who have contributed to academics, the arts and social development, as well as those who have enhanced the welfare of humanity through distinguished accomplishments in their respective professional fields.
Ha, the recipient of the Prize in Science has pioneered a new area of research by applying Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to single-molecule research. Lee, the recipient of the Prize in Engineering, paved the way for the rapid development of wireless communication technology and related industry, discovering numerous inventive techniques in the field of radio frequency integrated circuits, according to the Ho-Am Foundation.
It valued Choi’s contribution to the field of respiratory medicine and critical care medicine. He first established the function of carbon monoxide protecting cells and tissues, and is leading the development of a new treatment of incurable diseases through low concentration carbon monoxide respiration.
In the arts, violinist Chung Kyung-wha was selected for raising the artistic status of the Korean people and creating pride through outstanding talent and remarkable performances since her debut with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1970. She is sister of the conductor Chung Myung-whun, who was awarded the same prize in 1997.
The foundation commended the Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations, headed by Kwak Bae-hee, for developing a variety of free legal counseling services for the rights of minority groups in society.
The Ho-Am Prize Ceremony is to be held on June 1.