Busan is good

The 42nd Proud Citizen Award of Busan: Nominations Now Open

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that nominations for the 42nd Proud Citizen Award will be accepted from today (June 10) through July 24.

Established in 1985 and marking its 42nd edition in 2026, the Proud Citizen Award is Busan’s most prestigious honor, presented to citizens who have brought distinction to the city and demonstrated dedication and service to neighbors in need.

To date, a total of 270 individuals have received the award, contributing to Busan’s image as a city characterized by generosity, consideration, and community spirit.

Each year, Busan Metropolitan City selects up to seven recipients, including one Grand Prize winner and awardees in the Love for Busan, Service, and Sacrifice divisions, with both Main Awards and Encouragement Awards presented in each category.

In 2025, one Grand Prize winner was selected, along with two recipients in the Love for Busan division (one Main Award and one Encouragement Award), three recipients in the Service division (one Main Award and two Encouragement Awards), and one recipient in the Sacrifice division (one Main Award).

The Grand Prize was awarded to Park In-ho, representative of the Citizens’ Association for Loving Busan Port, in recognition of his contributions to the development of Korea’s maritime industry, including efforts toward the establishment of the Busan Port Authority and the restoration of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

In the Love for Busan division, the Main Award was presented to Gong Tae-do, Honorary Chair of the Gijang Independence Movement Memorial Project Association, and the Encouragement Award to Lee Heung-yong, CEO of Lee Heung-yong Bakery.

In the Service division, the Main Award was presented to Koo Jeong-hoe, Chair of Eunsung Medical Foundation, while the Encouragement Awards were awarded to Lee Seung-seop, Advisor to the First Aid Instructors Volunteer Association of the Busan Branch of the Korean Red Cross, and Kim Dong-seop, CEO of Muse Karaoke.

In the Sacrifice division, the Main Award was presented to Kim Tae-hyun, Assistant Manager of Barae Co., Ltd.

Eligible nominees are citizens who have resided in Busan for at least three years, have made distinguished contributions in one of the categories of Love for Busan, Service, or Sacrifice, and are not subject to any disqualifying conditions for awards.

Candidates may be nominated by district mayors and county governors, heads of institutions in Busan, leaders of civic, social, and professional organizations or businesses, or through a joint nomination signed by at least 20 citizens.

Nominations will be accepted until July 24. Recommendation forms and supporting documents may be submitted to the Autonomous Administration Division of Busan Metropolitan City by mail, in person, or by email at movie0524@korea.kr.

Further details are available in the public notice section of the Busan Metropolitan City website at https://www.busan.go.kr/nbgosi. Inquiries may also be directed to the Autonomous Administration Division at +82-51-888-1808 or to the general affairs and administrative support departments of district and county offices.

Mail or in-person submissions should be sent to:
Autonomous Administration Division, 10th Floor, Busan Metropolitan City Hall,
1001 Jungang-daero, Yeonje-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea.

The city will conduct field investigations of all nominees and carry out evaluations through the Proud Citizen Award Screening Committee, composed of experts from each category, through mid-September. Final recipients will be selected thereafter and will receive a commemorative plaque from the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City at the Busan Citizens’ Day ceremony in early October.

Park Geun-rok, Director General of the Administrative Affairs Bureau, stated, “Now in its 42nd year, the Proud Citizen Award is the highest honor bestowed upon citizens who have devoted themselves to Busan. We encourage citizens to take an active interest and nominate outstanding individuals who have made meaningful contributions to our community.”