The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) posthumously awarded actor Lee Soon-jae the Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown.
On the 25th the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said in a press release, "The government posthumously awarded the late actor Lee Soon-jae (died Nov. 25, age 91) the Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown (1st class)."
The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded to those who have made clear contributions to the development of culture and the arts and to the public's enjoyment of culture. The actor being listed for the Order of Cultural Merit is the first time in three years following Youn Yuh-jung in 2021 and Lee Jung-jae in 2022.
On the day Minister Chae Hwi-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, representing the government, visited the wake for the late Lee Soon-jae at the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center in Seoul and presented the Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown to the bereaved family.
Minister Chae Hwi-young expressed condolences toward the deceased, saying, "Over seventy years across theater, film and broadcasting, he always shared tears and laughter with our people. The footsteps he left will be remembered for a long time."
The late actor Lee Soon-jae debuted in theater in 1956 with "Beyond the Horizon" and established himself as a senior active actor who worked in various fields for more than half a century. With more than 140 productions, he received great love from all age groups for his sincerity in acting and his humane image across theater, drama, variety shows and sitcoms. In addition, through training younger generations and his legislative activities, he was an artist who practiced social responsibility beyond the arts community.
Meanwhile, the late Lee Soon-jae passed away in the early morning of the 25th at age 91. The wake for the deceased was set up in Room 30 of the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. The funeral procession will be held on the morning of Nov. 27 at 6:20 a.m., and the burial site is Eden Paradise in Icheon.<
[Photo] Joint photo news gathering team
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