Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation scholar Lee Jung-woo wins piano prize at George Enescu Competition

The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation announced Sunday that its arts scholarship recipient, pianist Lee Jung-woo, won the piano category of the 2026 George Enescu International Competition on Saturday (local time). Earlier, on Sept. 7, cellist Park Sang-hyuk, another foundation scholarship recipient, placed third in the cello category — making two foundation scholars prize winners at the same competition.

The George Enescu Competition was established in 1958 to honor Romanian composer and violinist George Enescu and to discover emerging performers. Held every two years across composition, cello, violin and piano categories, it has grown into a major international music event alongside the George Enescu Festival.

The results extend a winning tradition for the foundation. In 2021, foundation arts scholar and cellist Han Jae-min won the cello category as the youngest winner in the competition's history, while violinist Wi Jae-won finished as runner-up. This year, the foundation's scholars have again added to that record.

"Through this competition, I was able to gain a wide range of experiences and grow both musically and personally," Lee said. "I am deeply grateful to the foundation, and I will continue to dedicate myself to music and keep studying."

Beyond the piano first prize, Lee swept five special awards, including the Best Interpretation of an Enescu Work prize and the Audience Award, earning recognition from both the jury and the public. Lee had already demonstrated exceptional talent by becoming the youngest winner of the senior division at the 2024 Ettlingen International Competition. Selected as a Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation scholar in 2022 while enrolled at Yewon School, Lee is currently studying at the New England Conservatory in Boston as an overseas scholarship recipient.

Park, who took third in the cello category, said he was "grateful to my teachers, family and the foundation's staff who accompanied me on this long journey," adding that he would "strive to become a performer who delivers ever better music." Park has drawn attention with a string of competition results, including third place at the Tchaikovsky Competition, second at the Penderecki Competition, first at the David Popper Competition, and a special award at the Prague Spring International Competition. Selected as a Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation arts talent in 2021 while attending the Korea National University of Arts, he is currently studying at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid as an overseas scholarship recipient.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation hosted a main session at the 2026 Asia Impact Night (AIN 2026), held in Kobe, Japan, from Wednesday through Oct. 3, where it discussed the role of capital in sustainable social innovation and avenues for collaboration with leading figures in Asia's impact investment ecosystem.