40 honored at 2026 Engineering Day ceremony; Dasan Consultants CEO wins top award

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the "2026 Engineering Day Ceremony" on Wednesday at Dragon City in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

At the 23rd annual ceremony, 40 individuals who contributed to national industrial development and the strengthening of the engineering sector's competitiveness received government awards and commendations.

Kim Jeong-ho, CEO of Dasan Consultants, received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit — the highest honor presented — in recognition of his contributions to national economic development through the expansion of world-class road and bridge infrastructure using domestic technology.

The Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit went to Kim Seong-man, CEO of Moon Engineering, for more than half a century of contributions to building South Korea's information and communications infrastructure.

Five individuals received presidential commendations, four received prime ministerial commendations, and 29 received ministerial or agency-level commendations.

According to the ministry, engineering contract orders last year reached 13.1 trillion won (approximately $8.63 billion), a record high.

The ministry said that for South Korean firms to emerge as global leaders in a steadily growing international market, securing competitiveness is the most pressing priority. It plans to pursue three key initiatives: strengthening AI-based technological capabilities, diversifying overseas markets and supporting global expansion, and establishing a regulatory framework to bolster industrial competitiveness.

The ministry added that it aims to establish South Korea as a powerhouse in K-Engineering through AI transformation and enhanced global competitiveness.