The Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Alumni Association (President Choi Byung-seon) held the 'Alumni Award Ceremony and New Year Reception' on January 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jinsudang 77th Anniversary Hall. The event provided an occasion to review the year's achievements and pledge a new leap forward.

The event was a great success, attended by about 200 alumni and political and governmental figures, including Alumni Association President Choi Byung-seon; President Yang O-bong; former presidents Du Jae-gyun and Lee Nam-ho; Governor Kim Kwan-young of North Jeolla Province; Acting Superintendent of Education for North Jeolla Province Yu Jeong-gi; Mayor Woo Beom-gi of Jeonju; Mayor Jeong Heon-yul of Iksan; Mayor Jeong Seong-ju of Gimje; County Governor Yu Hee-tae of Wanju; and National Assembly member Lee Won-taek.

At the event, National Assembly member Lee Won-taek delivered a congratulatory address in person, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok and National Assembly members Han Byung-do, Lee Seong-yun, and Ahn Ho-young sent congratulatory messages via video.

The program proceeded in the order of this year's Alumni Award ceremony, celebratory performances, and exchanges of New Year greetings.

This year's Alumni Award was presented to Kim Yang-su, class of 1983 from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering at JBNU, who is a Principal Researcher at the Korea Basic Science Support Research Institute. Researcher Kim was recognized for outstanding research achievements in national R&D that contributed to the advancement of science and technology in the Republic of Korea. In particular, he received the Ungbi Medal, the highest national honor for R&D achievements, thereby demonstrating the academic capabilities of JBNU alumni at the national level.

The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Jeong Gang-seon, Chair of the North Jeolla Sports Council. Chair Jeong, who served as the elected chairman in the first and second terms of the North Jeolla Sports Council, contributed to North Jeolla being selected as a domestic candidate city for the 2036 Summer Olympics and was recognized for raising the status of Korean sports as the head of the Republic of Korea delegation to the 33rd Paris Summer Olympics.

The Special Overseas Alumni Award was presented to Ganbataar Jargal Saikhan, head of Bayanzurkh District, Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia, an alumnus of JBNU's Department of Economics, class of 2010. As an overseas alumnus, Ganbataar was recognized for enhancing JBNU's reputation abroad and for actively promoting his alma mater's excellent educational environment in Mongolia after graduation, thereby contributing to expanded admissions to JBNU and the promotion of educational and human exchanges between Korea and Mongolia.

President Choi Byung-seon stated, “The steps taken today by the three recipients of the Alumni Award are a source of pride for all JBNU alumni and a solid milestone for younger generations. The Alumni Association will continue to strengthen solidarity among alumni, serve as a bridge of hope for current students, and faithfully carry on its role as a community that grows together with the local community.”