Ho-Am Foundation on Wednesday held an award ceremony to extend the Ho-Am Prize to four individuals and one institution for their contribution to improving human lives and promoting public welfare.

This year’s prizes went to Professor Ha Taek-jip of the University of Illinois for science, Professor Thomas Lee of Standford University for engineering, Professor Augustine Choi of Harvard Medical School for medicine, violinist Chung Kyung-wha for the arts and the Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations for community service led by Kwak Bae-hee. 

The recipients were selected from candidates recommended by leading organizations and experts in each professional field through a four-month evaluation by scholars and experts and on-the-spot surveys, the foundation said.

The ceremony was held at Ho-Am Art Hall in northern Seoul. Each recipient was awarded a diploma, a Ho-Am Prize medal and 300 million won ($275,000) of prize money.

The Ho-Am Prize was first established in 1990 by Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to help create a new corporate culture that nurtures the spirit of public service.

The prize is given to individuals who have contributed to academics, the arts, social development, and who have furthered the welfare of humanity through distinguished accomplishments in their respective professional fields, the Ho-Am Foundation said.

By Cho Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)