Hong Ra-hee, honorary director of the Leeum Museum, has been awarded the National Medal of Honor.
The Samsung Cultural Foundation announced that Hong received the medal on October 26 for her over 40 years of contributions in the fields of culture, healthcare, and welfare. This honor follows her receipt of the Red Cross Gold Medal in 2024.
The National Medal of Honor is awarded by the government to individuals who have contributed to the improvement of national welfare and development. It is divided into five grades, from the highest, the Mugunghwa Medal, to the lowest, the Pomegranate Medal.
Hong is recognized for her leadership in enhancing social safety nets and elevating the paradigm of domestic donation culture, embodying the principle of 'noblesse oblige.' She has participated in various social contribution activities, including the donation of cultural heritage and medical support initiated by the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung.
In 2021, Hong and her family, including Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, donated over 23,000 artworks from the late Lee Kun-hee's collection to the nation, enhancing the public's access to culture. The donated works have been showcased in domestic exhibitions at the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, as well as internationally at venues such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., the Art Institute of Chicago, and the British Museum. Hong has also participated in overseas exhibition events to promote Korean art.
Among the significant contributions from the late Lee Kun-hee's estate is a donation of 1 trillion won to the healthcare sector. Of this amount, 300 billion won is allocated for supporting children with cancer and rare diseases, leading to the establishment of the 'Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project.' Additionally, 700 billion won is designated for the construction of the National Central Infectious Disease Hospital and the expansion of research and treatment capabilities for infectious diseases.
Hong has also been a leader in domestic donation culture. She has consistently donated cash to the Red Cross and became a founding member of the 'Red Cross Honors Club' in 2016, which recognizes high-value donors who have contributed over 100 million won. In 2025, she was inducted into the Red Cross Honors 1 Billion Club.
Furthermore, she has contributed 1 billion won to the Youth Happiness Foundation and 355 million won to the Yongsan Welfare Foundation, supporting children, youth, and vulnerable groups. She has also supported the preservation of cultural heritage in Buddhist traditions and welfare projects in various religious communities, including Won Buddhism and Catholicism.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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