Samsung Honors Top Global Talent: Meet the 2026 Ho-Am Prize Winners

Translation result. Herald Economy reporter Lee Jeong-wanSamsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong attended the Samsung Ho-am Awards ceremony for the fifth consecutive year on the 1st, a move observers interpret as a continuation of founder Lee Byung-chul’s “talent-first” management philosophy.Chairman Lee arrived at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, at 3:50 p.m. He proceeded directly to the Dynasty Hall, where the ceremony was held, and was greeted by Kim Hwang-sik, chairman of the Ho-am Foundation. Lee took a front-row seat and watched the award presentations.About 270 people attended the ceremony, including Lee himself, presidents of Samsung affiliates, winners’ family members, acquaintances, and other officials.Jeon Young-hyun, vice chairman and head of Samsung Electronics’ Device Solutions (DS) division, and No Tae-moon, president and head of the DX (finished products) division overseeing mobile, appliances and TV businesses, were both present. Other current and former Samsung executives in attendance included Choi Joo-seon, president of Samsung SDI; Jang Deok-hyun, president of Samsung Electro-Mechanics; Lee Cheong, president of Samsung Display; Park Yong-in, president and head of System LSI in Samsung Electronics’ DS division; Kim Yong-gwan, president and head of corporate strategy in the DS division; Song Jae-hyuk, president and chief technology officer of the DS division; Lee Won-jin, president and head of the Visual Display (VD) division; and Oh Jun-ho, head of Samsung Electronics’ Future Robot Initiative.Outside guests included Sven Lidin, president of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; Kim Do-yeon, former president of POSTECH; and Lee Ju-yeol, former governor of the Bank of Korea.This year’s Samsung Ho-am Award winners are:▷ Science Award (Physics & Mathematics) — Oh Seong-jin (37), professor at UC Berkeley▷ Science Award (Chemistry & Life Sciences) — Yoon Tae-sik (51), professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison▷ Engineering Award — Kim Beom-man (79), professor emeritus at POSTECH▷ Medicine Award — Eva Hoffman (51), professor at the University of Copenhagen▷ Arts Award — Cho Sumi (63), soprano▷ Social Service Award — Oh Dong-chan (58), head of medical services at the National Sorokdo HospitalEach winner received a certificate, a medal, and prize money of 300 million KRW (about $225,000), for a total payout of 1.8 billion KRW (about $1,350,000) across the six awards. Through this year’s 36th awards, the Ho-am Foundation has awarded a total of 37.9 billion KRW (about $28,425,000) to 188 recipients.The Samsung Ho-am Awards were established in 1990 by the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee to honor the founder Ho-am Lee Byung-chul’s commitment to talent and public service, and to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to academic and artistic advancement, social development, and the welfare of humanity.