Park Chan-wook Receives France's Highest Cultural Honor

by Lee Seongjin Posted : May 17, 2026, 21:27Updated : May 17, 2026, 21:27
Director Park Chan-wook, Jury Chair of the 79th Cannes Film Festival
Director Park Chan-wook, Jury Chair of the 79th Cannes Film Festival [Photo=Yonhap AFP]
Director Park Chan-wook, the jury chair of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, has been awarded France's highest cultural honor, the Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters.
According to Yonhap News Agency and Reuters, French Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak presented the award to Park on May 17 in Cannes.
The Order of Arts and Letters is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and literature or enhanced the international stature of French culture. It is divided into three ranks: Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur, with Commandeur being the highest.
Park is the fourth Korean recipient of the Commandeur honor, following Kim Jong-ok, former head of the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service in 2002, conductor Chung Myung-whun in 2011, and soprano Jo Su-mi last year.



* This article has been translated by AI.