Seol Kyung-won, Director of the Leaders in INdustry-University Cooperation (LINC) Project Group and Professor in the Division of Advanced Materials Engineering at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU; hereinafter, LINC Project Group Director), received a Presidential Citation on the 24th for his contributions to regional development and talent cultivation.

The director was recognized for building industry–university–research–government networks to promote industrial development in the Honam wide-area region, revitalize the local economy, and improve student employment rates.

In particular, he systematically operated programs such as micro-track development, activation of start-up incubators, a renewable energy education accreditation system, and practice-centered professional training, and significantly raised employment rates by linking high-quality companies with students.

Recently, centered on the LINC Project Group, he organized the "Jeonbuk Regional Employment Support Council" and is expanding initiatives aimed at both training personnel to revive the regional economy and supplying skilled personnel to industry.

Meanwhile, Director Seol has held positions including director of JBNU's Center for Workforce Development in the Renewable Energy Industry, vice-chair of the Wind Power Industry Council for the Honam wide-area region, and vice-chair of the Jeonbuk Wind Power Industry Association. He currently serves as chair of the General Industry–University Cooperation Council for the Honam Wide-area Leading Industry LINC Project and as a director of the LINC Project Council.