Cho Seung-hyun, Dean of the College of Social Science at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), received the Geunjeong Medal at the government awards for contributors commemorating 'Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day' on November 19. The awards for 'Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day' are presented to identify and encourage individuals who have contributed to the development of local autonomy and to share their achievements with the public.

Cho was highly commended for organically linking academic research, policy, and education, thereby contributing to the institutionalization and practical dissemination of local autonomy. While serving as President of the Korean Association for Local Government and Administration, he revitalized academic conferences and policy forums and established cooperation networks with local governments, expanding exchanges between academia and practitioners. After his term as president, he has continued to serve as an adviser to the association, continuously driving advancement in the field.

He also served as a civilian member of the Presidential Committee on Local Autonomy Development, playing a key role in formulating a decentralization roadmap and devising strategies for balanced regional development. In particular, he led efforts to identify policy tasks related to fiscal decentralization and the transfer of authority to local governments, making concrete contributions to expanding regional autonomy and strengthening the foundations of local self-governance.

As dean of JBNU's College of Social Science, he leads innovations in public administration education and regional talent development programs. He has also established collaborative frameworks with public institutions in the Innovation City and local communities, promoting revitalization of regional governance and strengthening the social responsibilities of local universities.

On receiving the award, Cho said, "I believe today's award is not something given to an individual, but a result to be shared with the many people who have worked together for the advancement of local autonomy for a long time," adding, "I will continue to devote myself with humility so that we can overcome the crisis of local extinction and ensure that a mature form of local autonomy takes root in the Republic of Korea."