▲ This photo, provided by Pony Chung Foundation, shows the "Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, the winner of the 16th Innovation Award. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- Pony Chung Foundation (Chairman Chung Mong-gyu) has selected "Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk as the winner of the Innovation Award and held an award ceremony at the Pony Chung Hall, in Gangnam District, Seoul on Thursday.

Chairman Jung said at the ceremony, “Hwang has shown deep interest in social problems and is a creator in the center of Korean cultural contents with challenging moves of covering a wide range of genres,” adding, “As he received global attention through ‘Squid Game,’ his next moves as an innovator is expected.”

Park Young-ja, the wife of the late HDC Group (former Hyundai Development Company) honorary chairman Chung Se-yung, also attended the ceremony.

Hwang said, “While creating ‘Squid Game,’ I was worried whether the series would be too bizarre. However contrary to my concerns, if this work can be considered new and innovative, it is entirely thanks to those who view it that way,” adding, “I feel like I’ve been given great courage to make new and drastic challenges.”

Pony Chung’s Innovative Award was established in 2006 after the nickname “Pony Chung” of the late honorary chairman Chung Se-yung, and awards 200 million won and a medal to individuals and groups who make positive changes in society with an innovative mind.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is the 1st Winner of the award and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Gold Medalist Kim Yuna, Pianist Cho Seong-jin, and the Director of the Ajou University Hospital Trauma Center Lee Cook-Jong have also been awarded.

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Hayeon An.)

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