Barun Law Firm (led by attorneys Lee Dong-hoon, Lee Young-hee, and Kim Do-hyung) and the Jung Foundation (chaired by Ko Young-han) announced on October 30 that they will accept nominations for the 9th Barun Hero Award from November 1 to 30.
The Barun Hero Award was established in 2018 to recognize the courage and dedication of individuals who uphold just values and serve their communities selflessly, particularly those who assist neighbors in need.
Organizations or individuals wishing to nominate candidates can download the nomination form and related documents from the Jung Foundation website (thejung.or.kr) and submit them via email (thejung@barunlaw.com).
Nominated candidates will be evaluated by a panel of judges from academia, civic organizations, and the media based on criteria such as social contribution and the significance of their roles. The final award recipients will be announced in early January 2027 on the Jung Foundation website, and they will receive a plaque and a prize.
The first Barun Hero Award was given to the late Kim Bok-dong, a victim of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery and a human rights activist. The second award went to singer Hyun-sook, recognized for her years of volunteer work bathing the elderly. The third award was presented to Pastor Woo Yeon-sik, who provided basic living assistance to the homeless.
The fourth award was posthumously given to the late Lee Young-gon, known as the 'Schweitzer of Jinju,' who died while helping traffic accident victims. The sixth award recognized Choi Young-a, who provided medical services to vulnerable populations through the Eunpyeong Village nursing facility while working at the Seoul City Seobuk Hospital. There was no fifth award.
The seventh award went to Kim Ok-ran, director of the Blue Whale Recovery Center, which assists isolated and reclusive youth. The eighth award was presented to Lee Jong-guk, former director of the National Gongju Hospital, for his dedication to psychiatric care in public health for 35 years.
Ko Young-han stated, "The acts of kindness by heroes who practice sharing and dedication add warmth to our harsh society. We hope to uncover the beautiful stories of hidden heroes through the 9th Barun Hero Award and encourage their spirit to spread throughout society. We ask for your interest and nominations."
Barun Law Firm established the Jung Foundation to provide legal support to neighbors in need who lack access to legal services.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.