Posthumous National Medal Awarded to Jeju Olle Foundation Chairwoman Seo Myung-sook

The South Korean government has posthumously honored the late Seo Myung-sook, former chairwoman of the Jeju Olle Foundation, with the Order of Moran, a prestigious national medal. The award recognizes her profound impact on sustainable tourism and the development of the popular Jeju Olle walking trails.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Whui-young personally presented the medal to Seo's family at the Jeju Olle Tourist Information Center in Seogwipo, Jeju, on June 18. Seo passed away in April at the age of 68.

Born in Jeju, Seo had a distinguished career in journalism, working for publications like Madang and Hankook-in before becoming a founding member of Sisa Journal. She rose through the ranks to become the first female editor-in-chief of a current affairs magazine in South Korea. After leaving journalism in 2006, she returned to her native Jeju.

In September 2007, Seo established the Jeju Olle Foundation and dedicated herself to creating a network of 27 walking trails spanning 437 kilometers across the island. Her efforts were previously recognized with presidential commendations in 2009 and 2017, the Korean YWCA Leader Award in 2021, and the Jeju Green Award for Heritage Contribution in 2025. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism praised her for building an eco-cultural space that fosters harmony between nature, travelers, and local communities.

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The deceased made significant contributions to the development of sustainable tourism by building an eco-cultural space where nature, travelers, and local residents coexist harmoniously through walking tours.