Hong donates cash prize for ‘Mark of Respect’

Hong Myung-bo, a former manager of the national football team, has received the Royal Salute Mark of Respect award from Pernod Ricard Korea.

The award ceremony was held at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Monday.

Pernod Ricard Korea, a local unit of Pernod Ricard, a French seller of wine and spirits, has sponsored the annual award, which recognizes the most respected figure in the field of arts and culture in Korea.

Hong is the eighth winner and also the first sportsman to receive the award.

Hong was chosen as this year’s winner for leading the national football squad to Korea’s first-ever Olympic medal last year. Korea won the bronze medal in men’s football in the 2012 London Olympics.

During the ceremony, he was presented with a trophy of Quaich, a two-handled Scottish drinking bowl; the Royal Saltue 62 Gun Salute, an ultra-premium blend; and 50 million won in prize money. Hong will donate the money to a scholarship foundation he founded in his name mostly for middle and high school football players.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)