Pony Jung Foundation Announces 7th Award Recipients
The Pony Jung Foundation announced the selection of both honorees on Nov. 7. The annual prize recognizes individuals under 40 years of age who exhibit innovation, challenge, and positive social contribution, continuing the legacy of the late Hyundai Motor founder and HDC Group honorary chairman Chung Se-young, widely known by his nickname Pony Jung.
An Se-young Collects Badminton Honors Following Grand Slam Win
She first drew international attention in 2019 by winning the Badminton World Federation (BWF) New Zealand Open women’s singles title at age 17, defeating 2012 London Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui in the final. That same year, she became the youngest winner of the French Open.
Her resume expanded significantly over the subsequent seasons, featuring a gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, world championship titles, and a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Following her victory at the Asian Badminton Championships in April, she secured a career sweep of major women’s singles titles. Beyond her athletic achievements, she gained public attention for challenging established customs within the domestic sports administration.
Do Hyun Kim Leads Nano-Electrochemical Research at Penn
Kim heads the KLEIN Lab at Penn, focusing on atomic-scale reaction sites on solid catalyst surfaces to improve the efficiency of energy conversion and chemical manufacturing processes. His academic work includes extensive citations across numerous publications in major scientific journals, alongside selection for the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering.
Award Ceremony Scheduled for November at IPark Tower
Pony Jung Foundation Chairman Chung Mong-gyu detailed the selection criteria for this year’s prizes, emphasizing An’s persistence through injuries and competitive hurdles alongside Kim’s contributions to sustainable energy research. Each winner receives 50,000,000 South Korean won in prize money alongside a commemorative plaque.
The awards presentation will take place on Nov. 25 at the Pony Jung Hall located inside the IPark Tower in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
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