The Corea Image Communication Institute will honor South Korean golfer Pak Se-ri, AlphaGo artificial intelligence and KwangJuYo Chairman Cho Tae-Kwon at its upcoming 13th annual awards ceremony CICI Korea Image Awards 2017.
The Korea Image Awards are given by CICI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a positive image of Korea. It recognizes people and entities that best represent the country and its culture.
South Korean golfer Pak Se-ri (CICI)
Former professional golfer Pak, who announced her retirement earlier this year, will receive the highest honor -- the Korea Image Stepping Stone Award. She played on the LPGA Tour from 1998 to 2016 and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in November 2007.
AlphaGo versus Lee Se-dol (CICI)
Google’s AlphaGo has been chosen for the Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award for highlighting Korea as a Go powerhouse in a five-game match with the 18-time world champion Lee Se-dol earlier this year. AlphaGo won all but the fourth game.
Cho Tae-Kwon, chairman of KwangJuYo (CICI)
Finally, the Korea Image Firestone Award will be given to KwangJuYo Chairman Cho, whose Korean fine dining restaurant Gaon in Sinsa-dong recently received three Michelin stars. His second restaurant, Bicena in Hannam-dong, was also awarded one star.
The 2017 CICI Korea Image Awards ceremony will be held on Jan. 11 at the InterContinental Seoul Coex’s Harmony Ballroom. Some 700 top business figures, and foreign leaders, including representatives from more than 80 countries, are expected to attend the gala event.
By Julie Jackson (
juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)
