Director Park Chan-wook, the jury president of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, received France's highest grade Order of Arts and Letters.
According to Reuters on the 17th local time, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati presented Park with the Commander medal in Cannes.
The Order of Arts and Letters is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding creative activity in the fields of art and literature or contributed to elevating the international stature of French culture. It has three grades—Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur—with Commandeur being the highest.
Among Koreans, Park is the fourth recipient of the Commandeur grade of the Order of Arts and Letters, following Kim Jeong-ok, then head of the Korea Culture and Arts Foundation, in 2002; conductor Chung Myung-whun in 2011; and soprano Jo Sumi last year.
In remarks after receiving the medal, Park said that French cinema and philosophy had greatly influenced his body of work, adding, "I felt as if all the influences I received in France were coming together within me."
He added, "Just as I have been, and still am, influenced a lot by France, I feel deeply moved and proud that I may be giving even a small influence to young French directors."
Park said, "My last remaining wish is to someday make a film in France, to make a film with French actors," again expressing gratitude for the honor.
At the Cannes Film Festival, Park won the jury prize for Oldboy in 2004 and Thirst in 2009, and best director for Decision to Leave in 2022.
Park also served as a competition juror at the 70th Cannes Film Festival in 2017.