Rapper Psy, who became an international sensation with his song “Gangnam Style,” is the recipient of an award recognizing his contribution to promoting Korea’s image.

“We hold in high esteem Psy’s achievements, which includes placing on overseas music charts such as Billboard, making inroads into the foreign market, and also showing the diversity of K-pop culture,” said Choi Jung-wha, president of the Corea Image Communication Institute, in announcing the winners of its annual Korea Image Awards on Wednesday.

Psy will receive the Korea Image Stepping Stone Award at the CICI Korea 2013 Image Awards gala event at Grand Intercontinental Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on Jan. 15.

The Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award is given to “YouTube,” which helped enhance South Korea’s image overseas.

Lee Hyuk, the youngest winner of the 8th International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow, was chosen as the winner of the Korea Image Budding Youth Award.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korean Culture and Information Service, this year’s ceremony will be held with the theme of “Dream High CICI, Jump High CICI.”

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding, the CICI prepared a special program, including performances of “Gangnam Style” and “Bibap,” which depicts the making of famous traditional Korean food bibimbap with beatboxing and b-boying.

CICI has been hosting the annual CICI Korea Awards since 2005 to recognize people, objects, events and organizations dedicated to promoting the nation.

By Lee Hyun-jae, Intern reporter (lhj137@heraldcorp.com)