By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
``Woman Hercules’’ weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, an Olympic gold medallist, has been acknowledged for her role in promoting Korea’s image to the world by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), which also selected Noble laureate novelist Jean-Marie G. Le Clezio and pianist Cho Sung-jin, as well as Samsung Electronics, for contributing to enhancing Korea’s image in 2008.
Jang, the Korea Image Stepping Stone Award recipient, won a gold medal for the snatch, clean and jerk and combined categories at the Beijing Olympics in August. ``She set a world record that has elevated Korea’s status,’’ CICI President Choi Jung-hwa said.
The ``Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award’’ went to Le Clezio, who showed his affection for Korea through his writing. The French national has visited Korea several times, worked for Ewha Woman’s University for six months and has written poems about Korea.
In the ``Budding Youth’’ category, 15 year-old Cho Sung-jin won first prize at the 6th Moscow International Frederick Chopin Competition for Young Pianists.
Samsung Electronics won the ``Korea Image Cornerstone Award’’ for supporting efforts to create a positive image of Korea.
Past recipients include United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Beijing Olympics gold medallist Park Tae-hwan, President Lee Myung-bak and pop singer Rain.
The 6th CECI award ceremony will be held on Jan. 21 at Grand Intercontinental Hotel, with Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Korea Tourism Organization CEO Oh Ji-chul among the attendees.