16 Ad Industry Contributors Honored at 2025 Korea Advertising Awards

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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST) presented government awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the advertising industry at the 2025 Korea Advertising Awards held on Tuesday, December 2, commemorating Advertising Day (November 11). This year's government awards and commendations honored a total of 16 awardees: one Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, one Medal of Merit, three Presidential Commendations, three Prime Minister's Commendations, and eight MCST Minister's Commendations. MCST First Vice Minister Kim Young-soo attended the event to present these prestigious awards and encourage the advertising professionals.

Since 1992, MCST has annually selected and recognized those who have contributed to the development of the advertising industry to help promote the industry and boost the morale of those working in the field.

This year's Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Kim Jonghyun, CEO of Cheil Worldwide. CEO Kim has passionately dedicated 34 years to the advertising industry, growing Cheil Worldwide into an international advertising powerhouse ranked 11th globally through strategic overseas business expansion. Through this achievement, he contributed significantly to the development of Korea's advertising industry by elevating its international standing and strategically supporting the successful overseas expansion of domestic companies.

Choi Sun-mok, former Chairman of Korea Advertisers Association, who received the Industrial Medal of Merit, has worked in the advertising and communications field for over 40 years at Hanwha Group and Korea Advertisers Association. Former Chairman Choi was instrumental in developing the advertising market and leading institutional improvements, including brilliantly executing the PyeongChang Winter Olympics 'Everyone Is an Athlete' campaign.

The three Presidential Commendations were awarded to: Kim Kyung-hoe, Executive Creative Director of the Creative Center at HSAD, for strengthening the global competitiveness of Korea's national tourism brand through inspiring campaigns like 'Imagine Your Korea;' Cho Jung-pil, CEO of SmartVisionCom, who has dedicated over 30 years to the development of the outdoor advertising industry and impactful social contribution activities; and Park Hyun-woo, CEO of INNORED, who has globally proven Korea's advertising capabilities by winning a total of over 280 major awards at international advertising festivals, including 19 major awards at the world's three top advertising festivals of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, New York Festivals, and Clio Awards.

The three Prime Minister's Commendations were awarded to Kang Tae-ho, Head of Future Growth at Daehong, for contributing to the structural innovation of the digital advertising industry through the pivotal launch of the mobile gift voucher Giftiel and the progressive development of a product linking online-offline payments; Bang Se-jong, Head of the Creative Division at INNOCEAN, who planned and oversaw core brand campaigns for major domestic and international companies such as Hyundai Motor Company and LG Electronics, critically contributing to strengthening brand identity and building consumer trust; and Lee Jun-yong, CEO of PlayD, who led significant innovation in the advertising industry by establishing an online advertising quantification system and successfully commercializing an AI advertising automation platform.

Additionally, eight individuals who profoundly contributed to the development of the advertising industry-through impactful public service advertising planning, digital transformation of the advertising industry, pioneering introduction of AI technology, data-driven innovation in the advertising industry, and cultivation of future talent in the advertising field-received MCST Minister's Commendations.

MCST First Vice Minister Kim stated, "As the ministry responsible for nurturing the advertising industry, MCST will actively respond to the changing industry environment, including the transformative use of AI, and will spare no effort in supporting the further development of the advertising industry, a core 'K-content' sector that drives our nation's creative economy."