The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) has honored several overseas Koreans who've made exemplary contributions in their respective fields.

The KBS Overseas Compatriots Award is given to ethnic Koreans living overseas who have made a distinguished contribution in promoting the image of the people and culture of Korea.

In the humanity and social science category, Professor Lee Dong-heon from the University of Wisconsin won the award. The science and technology award went to Professor Cheong Sang-Wook from Rutgers University. In the arts and culture category, Professor Park Yeong-hui from the prestigious German university Hochschule fur Kunst Bremen won the award.

The social service award went to an association for the building of homes for elderly ethnic Koreans in Japan. And Han Soknan, the head of Gender Equality and Diversity Unit of the United Nations Development Program, received this year’s special award.

The award ceremony will take place on March fourth next year at the state-run public service broadcaster. KBS will award ten million won, about seven thousand U.S. dollars, to each winner and will produce a documentary on their lives and achievements.