President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 27 takes a commemorative photo after the awards ceremony for the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit for

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 27 takes a commemorative photo after the awards ceremony for the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit for “Squid Game” actor Lee Jung-jae and director Hwang Dong-hyuk at the Office of the President in Seoul’s Yongsan-gu District. From left are Hwang Seong-un, presidential secretary for culture and sports; Kim Eun-hye, senior secretary to the president for public relations; Lee; President Yoon; Hwang; and Ahn Sang-hoon, senior presidential secretary for social affairs. (Office of the President)

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President Yoon gives top cultural medal to ‘Squid Game’ actor, director

By Hong Angie

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 27 awarded the government’s highest cultural medal, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, to “Squid Game” actor Lee Jung-jae and director Hwang Dong-hyuk at the Office of the President in Seoul’s Yongsan-gu District.

The order goes to a person of merit in culture and arts. The president put the medal around each honoree’s neck and the star on the left side of the chest.

During the commemorative photoshoot with high-ranking presidential officials attending including Kim Eun-hye, senior secretary to the president for public relations, Ahn Sang-hoon, senior presidential secretary for social affairs, and Hwang Seong-un, presidential secretary for culture and sports, the chief executive looked around and said jokingly, “Someone here might be a minister years from now,” adding, “Back in the old days, I’d be taking photos with this person.”

After Hwang and Lee on Sept. 13 accepted their Emmys for “Squid Game,” President Yoon sent a congratulatory message saying, “I congratulate you together with the entire nation.”

shong9412@korea.kr