President Yoon Suk-yeol awarded the government's highest cultural medal, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, to at the Office of the President in Seoul on Dec. 27.
The order goes to a person of national merit in culture and arts. The president put the medal around each honoree's neck..
During the commemorative photoshoot with high-ranking presidential officials, including Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for press affairs, Ahn Sang-hoon, senior presidential secretary for social affairs, and Hwang Seong-un, presidential secretary for culture and sports, the president looked around and said jokingly, "Someone here might be a minister after years from now," adding, "Back in the old days, I'd be taking photos with this person."
After Hwang and Lee on Sept. 13 accepted their Emmys for "Squid Game," President Yoon sent a congratulatory message saying, "I congratulate you together with the entire nation."
