Editor’s Note
This article reports on Chairman Lee Jae-ho’s receipt of the National Medal at the 14th National Recommendation Awards Ceremony, recognizing his distinguished contributions.
Lee Jae-ho (82), honorary engineering doctorate from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and chairman of the Wolgok Jewelry Industry Promotion Foundation, has been honored with the National Medal awarded by the government. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety presented the National Medal to 20 recipients, including Chairman Lee, at the 14th National Recommendation Awards Ceremony held on the 14th. The National Medal is a prestigious honor awarded to individuals with distinguished contributions in politics, economy, society, education, and academia, or those who have contributed to public facility donations, management, and public welfare enhancement.
Chairman Lee Jae-ho is widely recognized as a key figure in the birth and development of Korea’s jewelry industry. Born in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 1942, he served as CEO of Shinsidang from 1963 to 1983, and later held positions such as CEO of Geummi (1994-1997) and Chairman of RiGold (1997-2009). He also contributed significantly to industrial development as Chairman of the Korea Jewelry and Gemstone Development Promotion Committee (2006) and Chairman of the Korea Jewelry and Gemstone Related Organizations Council (2007-2008). He pioneered the development of Korea’s first precious metal chain technology and secured 23 intellectual property rights, leading the modernization and advancement of the jewelry industry. Additionally, he contributed to export promotion by winning the ‘US$10 Million Export Tower’ and ‘Good Design’ awards.
In August 2009, he donated 20 billion won of his personal assets to establish the Wolgok Jewelry Industry Promotion Foundation (formerly RiGold Scholarship Foundation), dedicated to nurturing talent for the development of the jewelry industry. The foundation’s affiliated Wolgok Jewelry Industry Research Institute provides industry trend statistics and research materials, and through the Korea Jewelry Industry Strategy Forum, it guides the direction of the industry. In recognition of these contributions, Chairman Lee received the Presidential Commendation in the Design Contribution category at the 2013 Korea Design Awards. Furthermore, in 2018, he donated 1 billion won of personal assets to Seoul National University of Science and Technology to provide educational opportunities for financially disadvantaged students. His legacy continues through education and the establishment of educational spaces for nurturing jewelry industry talent, and Seoul National University of Science and Technology awarded him an honorary engineering doctorate in May 2018 in recognition of these contributions.