The Manhae Festival Committee (chaired by Jongho Sunim, Vice President of Planning at Dongguk University) announced on July 15th (Monday) four winners of the 23rd Manhae Prize. This year’s Manhae Peace Prize goes to Professor Emeritus Haruki Wada of the University of Tokyo. The Manhae Practice Prize is awarded to the National Emergency Medical Center, part of the National Medical Center. The Manhae Literature Prize has been awarded jointly to theatrical director Im Young-woong and Professor Emeritus Kim Uchang of Korea University. The prizes are worth KRW 100 million in each category.

Manhae Prizes are awarded to individuals who have made a significant worldwide impact in three areas: Peace, Practice, and Literature. Past awardees include former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, the Dalai Lama, former Chairman Chung, Ju-yung of the Hyundai Group, former President Kim, Dae-jung of Korea, Catholic priest Ham Sei-ung, former Sorokdo nurse Marianne Stoeger, the poet Ko, Un, the novelist Jo Jung-rae, and Nobel laureate Mo Jen.

Professor Emeritus Haruki Wada of the University of Tokyo, this year’s Manhae Peace Prize winner, is a distinguished progressive intellectual in Japan; he led efforts to resolve the deep-seated issues of colonization and reconciliation that continue to divide Korea and Japan. Processor Wada initiated a joint statement, signed by 214 Korean and Japanese intellectuals in May 2010, to mark the 100th anniversary of Japan’s annexation of Korea. The statement declared that the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1910 was unjust, unreasonable, and invalid from the very beginning. Signed by intellectuals from both countries, this joint statement was unprecedented.

Manhae Practice Prize winner, the National Emergency Medical Center (NEMC), part of the National Medical Center (NMC President & CEO Chung, Ki-Hyun and NEMC President Moon, Sung-woo) was highlighted for its contribution at the time when former President Yoon, Han-deok (1968–2019), whose presence was as essential and ubiquitous as air or water for the Korean public, suddenly passed away earlier this year, during the Korean New Year holiday. At this very moment, the NEMC is working tirelessly to honor former President Yoon’s commitment: “We must make Korea a country where anyone can survive, even in the smallest hospital emergency room.”

Manhae Literature Prize co-winner Im Young-woong, a theatrical director, has produced many successful theatrical works during the past half-century, demonstrating his love for theater and resilience on stage. An orthodox director who never compromised or changed even a single word of an original work, Im has produced countless theatrical stars. He served as Chair of the Korea Theater Directors Association and the Korea Theater Association and was awarded the Korean Culture and Arts Award, the Dongrang Theater Prize, the Lee Hae-rang Theater Prize, and the Paradise Award. In 2016, he was awarded the Gold Crown Order of Culture Merit for his contributions to culture and the arts.

The other Manhae Literature Prize co-winner, Kim Uchang, Korea University Professor Emeritus, has also worked as a literary critic. Since the 1977 publication of Poet in Times of Need, his first collection of critical reviews, he has published a series of critical reviews of literary works. Praised for their sensitive exploration and elegant literary style, his works of critical theory span the humanities, leading the way for literary criticism in Korea. He attracted particular attention for his in-depth, profound critical review of Manhae’s life and literature.

The four-day Manhae Festival, which honors Manhae (pen name) Han Yong-un (1879–1944), is held from August 11 to 14 is held in Manhae Village and around Inje-gun; the theme is “Freedom and Peace.” Starting with events and performances on August 11, the night before the Manhae Festival, which celebrates the 23rd anniversary of the Manhae Prize, the festival includes various culture and art contests including the 21st National High Schooler Contest, the 17th Silence of Love Calligraphy Contest, and the 8th Silence of Love National Contest; it also includes academic seminars and local college events, including performances, exhibitions, and field day activities. The Manhae Prize Award Ceremony, a highlight of the Manhae Festival, is held at 2:00 p.m. on August 12 (Monday) at the Hanuelnaerin Center in Inje-gun, Gangwon-do (Inje-gun Chief Choi Sang-ki).