Seven residents honored with Gangbuk-gu Citizens Award

Gangbuk-gu in Seoul held the 2026 Gangbuk-gu Citizens Award ceremony Tuesday at the district office's planning room, presenting the award to seven residents who contributed to community development and civic harmony.

The Gangbuk-gu Citizens Award recognizes residents who have quietly dedicated themselves to their neighbors and community and contributed to progress across various fields. This year's honorees were selected across seven categories: the Good Deeds and Service Award, the Model Family Award, the Culture and Arts Award, the Sports Award, the Model Entrepreneur Award, the Social Welfare Award and the Education Development Award.

Choi Jeong-il received the Good Deeds and Service Award. Choi has donated proceeds from recycling activities each year to neighbor-assistance funds and supported children from low-income households, working to spread a culture of sharing and promote youth welfare. Choi was also recognized for active participation in fostering and supporting the local reserve forces, contributing to community development.

Jang Hee-seok, winner of the Model Family Award, is a member of a multicultural family who actively participated in education programs at the Gangbuk-gu Family Center to help children adjust to school life and support the family's stable settlement in the community. Jang was recognized for creating a nurturing environment that respects different cultures and identities and for strengthening understanding and communication within the family.

The Culture and Arts Award went to Choi Han-suk, who has been a member of the Gangbuk District Women's Choir for 31 years, participating in more than 150 invitation performances and regular concerts both within and outside the district. Choi helped elevate the choir's profile — including securing the first Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism minister's award ever won by a Gangbuk-gu public arts organization — and broadened residents' access to cultural and artistic experiences.

Ko Su-nam, recipient of the Sports Award, has long served the development of community sports in Gangbuk-gu, leading regular athletic competitions and a range of recreational sports activities. Ko strengthened communication and cooperation among sports organizations and expanded residents' opportunities to participate in sports, contributing to the vitalization of community athletics.

Lee Chun-seong received the Model Entrepreneur Award. Lee worked to improve residents' quality of life and living environment by expanding medical, welfare and residential infrastructure, and as chair of the Hanaro Scholarship Foundation promoted scholarship support for nurturing local talent. Lee also participated in donations to low-income households and annual kimchi-sharing events, leading efforts to spread a culture of giving by sharing the fruits of business success with the community.

Jeong Yu-jin, winner of the Social Welfare Award, actively advanced customized senior care services and senior employment programs to support the safe daily lives and healthy aging of elderly residents. Through tailored initiatives coordinated with related agencies — including early dementia screening and fraud prevention education — Jeong raised health awareness and safety consciousness among seniors while contributing to the prevention of social isolation and the strengthening of the community care system.

Jo So-yeon received the Education Development Award. Jo operated customized group counseling and prevention education programs for Gangbuk-gu youth and independently developed educational programs to address harmful environments such as cyberbullying, working to promote healthy development and safety awareness among young people. Jo also strengthened cooperation among related agencies through local council activities, contributing to youth welfare and educational development.

"I am deeply grateful to the honorees who have looked out for their neighbors and devoted themselves to the community from their respective positions," Gangbuk-gu District Mayor Jeong Chang-su said. "We will continue to stand alongside the residents who quietly lend their strength throughout the community, so that their efforts may shine even brighter."