Interior ministry marks 30 years of civil service awards

The interior ministry said it held a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of its civil service award, an honor given to local government officials and farm cooperative staff who have resolved public complaints or improved administrative services.

The event at the Government Sejong Convention Center brought together about 100 people, including past recipients and civil servants who handle citizen complaints. The ministry said 430 people have received the award since it was established in 1997.

Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae attended, along with the chief executive of NH Agricultural Cooperative's banking arm, an SBS business division head and Park Seung-soon, the first award recipient and a former official in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province. About 50 former honorees and provincial officials also took part.

The award is jointly organized by the ministry and broadcaster SBS and sponsored by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, known as Nonghyup.

The program featured a commemorative video looking back at the award's three decades, citations for SBS and Nonghyup staff and the award recipients' association, and a lecture by singer Sean on sustainable service and sharing in everyday life.

"The 30th anniversary of the civil service award is a meaningful occasion that goes beyond a simple record of time to confirm how the culture of sharing and service has taken root in our society," Kim said. He added that the ministry will continue to support civil servants so they can take pride in their work and provide the best possible service to the public.