Recently, Professor Kim Chul-hong of Incheon National University has sparked controversy by refusing the Presidential Commendation Medal from the president. Professor Kim criticized the medal as being equivalent to a perfect attendance award given to those who have enjoyed social privilege, and expressed discontent with President Yoon Suk-yeol's governance. In the past, there have been cases where others such as former Ewha Womans University Professor Lee Hyo-jae, novelist Kenzaburo Oe, and actress Sophie Marceau refused medal awards for their respective reasons. Since the overissuance of medals diminishes their value, a social discussion is needed regarding strict criteria for awarding medals and appropriate treatment of recipients.
