CNU awarded Professor Han Hong-koo of Sungkonghoe University the 18th Hugwang Scholarly Award. The award ceremony was held during the university’s 73rd anniversary event on June 5. Professor Han received a commemorative plaque and a 10 million KRW prize.

A historian and public intellectual, Professor Han has devoted his academic and social efforts to uncovering the truth behind state-led violence in modern Korean history and restoring the dignity of its victims.

Since the early 2000s, he has served on several key committees related to human rights and historical justice, contributing to holding the state accountable and establishing an institutional foundation for institutional reform: the National Committee for Truth and Honor Restoration for Civilian Massacres around the Korean War, Ministry of Justice Human Rights Policy Advisory Council (2004), Presidential Truth Investigation Committee, and National Human Rights Commission’s Policy Advisory Group (2005).

His major publications include: History of the Republic of Korea (2003–2005), The Memory of Law and Violence (2007), Yushin: An Era for One Man Only (2014), The Judiciary: A History of Those Who Ruled the Law (2016), The Square: Shouting for Democracy (2017), The April 19 Revolution (2020), and The May 18 Democratization Movement (2020).

Since 2015, he has led the editorial project Biographical Dictionary of Anti-Constitutional Figures, documenting abuses, actions and figures that violated constitutional principles after Korea’s founding. This work is regarded as a leading example of justice through historical memory and the defense of democracy.

Hugwang Scholarly Award Committee Chair Professor Kim Yang-hyun stated, “Professor Han’s work closely aligns with the ideals of the late President Kim Dae-jung, who emphasized resisting state oppression, ensuring human rights, and restoring democracy. His academic and social contributions make him a highly symbolic and deserving recipient of this award.”