The Talent Award of Korea ( ko, 대한민국인재상) is an award bestowed by the
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Korea from 2014.
Until 2013, this was the Talent Medal of Korea, bestowed by the
President of the Republic of Korea
The president of the Republic of Korea (), also known as the president of South Korea (often abbreviated to POTROK or POSK; ), is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Korea. The president leads the State Council, and is ...
with a post-nominal (KTM) and Presidential Medal.
It recognizes those individuals who are likely to become Korea's future leaders and have performed exemplary talents or outstanding meritorious service. Fifty high school students, 40 college students, and 10 adults are selected based on their intelligence, passion, creativity, and community spirit. ("선발대상: 지혜와 열정으로 탁월한 성취를 이루며, 창의적 사고로 새로운 가치를 창출하고, 배려와 공동체 의식 등을 두루 갖춘 우수 인재"). The recipients are given 2,000,000 KRW.
History of the award
The Korean government has given awards for exceptional talent since 2001. The name of the so-called ''Talent Award'' has varied during this time. Beginning in 2001, the Korean government gave the ''Award for Outstanding Talent who will lead 21st Century"..
In 2008, president
Lee Myung-bak established the
Talent Medal of Korea, with a quota of 100 awards per year.
From 2008 to 2013, it was bestowed upon a total of 610 people.
While it was a
civilian
Civilians under international humanitarian law are "persons who are not members of the armed forces" and they are not " combatants if they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war". It is slightly different from a non-combatant ...
award, it could also have been awarded to military personnel, but there was only one military recipient.
Notable recipients included
Son Yeon-jae
Son Yeon-jae KTM (born 28 May 1994) is a South Korean retired individual rhythmic gymnast. She is a former member of the South Korean national gymnastics team, based in Taereung, Seoul. She is the 2014 Asian Games All-around Champion, the ...
and
Yuna Kim
Yuna Kim (; born September 5, 1990), also credited in eastern name order as Kim Yuna or Kim Yeon-a, is a retired South Korean competitive figure skater. She is the 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 Olympic silver medalist in ladies' singles, ...
.
Following severe critiques from non-scientists and politicians, who criticized this award is mostly bestowed to scientists and inventors, the Talent Medal of Korea was replaced by the Talent Award of Korea beginning in 2014.
See also
*
New Knowledge Worker of Korea The New Knowledge Worker of Korea or New Knowledge Person (abbreviated to NKWK as the post-nominal) ( ko, 대한민국 신지식인) is a distinction and honorary title in the Republic of Korea awarded personally for exceptional achievements with ne ...
References
External links
"Korea Federation of Talent"
{{Honors and decorations of South Korea
Orders, decorations, and medals of South Korea
Awards established in 2014
2014 establishments in South Korea