The POSCO Cheongam Foundation honored individuals and institutions that have driven change in Korean society across the fields of education, science, service, and technology through the "2026 POSCO Cheongam Prize."
The foundation announced this year's winners at an awards ceremony held Wednesday at the POSCO Center in Gangnam, Seoul. The Science Prize went to Choi Kyeong-su, a professor in the School of Mathematics at the Korea Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS); the Education Prize to Seoul Girls' Commercial High School; the Community Service Prize to Choi Yeon-su, standing director of the Hanbit Youth Foundation; and the Technology Prize to Chung Ki-ro, CEO of APS Inc.
Professor Choi has been leading the advancement of curvature theory by combining partial differential equations with differential geometry in his research on "curvature flow," proving the existence and regularity of solutions. He was highly recognized for contributing to solving key challenges in modern mathematics through his work on the structure of three-dimensional singularities and the extension of geometric flow theory, and for presenting new research directions in the field of geometric analysis.
Seoul Girls' Commercial High School, founded in 1926 as Korea's first vocational education institution for women, is a leading model of vocational education that has achieved a 100 percent employment rate for seven consecutive years based on practice-oriented education and a "work-first, learn-later" system. It was recognized for nurturing talent equipped with both job competency and character through field-centered education and systematic career guidance, setting an exemplary standard for vocational high school education.
Choi Yeon-su is a field-oriented practitioner who has devoted 34 years to supporting the education and independence of at-risk youth outside the school system. Through operating alternative education institutions and providing counseling, protection, and independence support, she has helped about 2,000 young people achieve social independence.
CEO Chung is a technology executive who has led the localization of core semiconductor and display equipment for more than 30 years, strengthening the global competitiveness of Korea's equipment industry. By independently developing the Excimer Laser Annealing (ELA) equipment, a core tool in OLED manufacturing, he achieved more than 90 percent global market share, simultaneously accomplishing technological self-reliance and export expansion while contributing to national industrial development.
The POSCO Cheongam Prize was established in 2006 to honor the steel-for-nation legacy of the late Park Tae-joon, honorary chairman of POSCO known by his pen name Cheongam, and to spread the company's founding principles of respect for creativity, emphasis on talent, and spirit of service. From 2007 through this year, a total of 72 laureates have been recognized, including 20 in science, 21 in education, 22 in community service, and 9 in technology. Marking the 20th anniversary of the prize, the monetary award for each category has been raised this year from 200 million won to 300 million won ($220,000).
