President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 27 awarded the government's highest cultural medal, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, to "Squid Game" actor Lee Jung-jae and director Hwang Dong-hyuk at the Office of the President in Seoul.

The order goes to a person of merit in culture and arts. The president put the medal around each honoree's neck and the star on the left side of the chest.

During the commemorative photoshoot with high-ranking presidential officials attending including Kim Eun Hye, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations, Ahn Sang-hoon, Senior Secretary to the President for Social Policy, and Hwang Seong Un, Secretary to the President for Culture and Sports, the president looked around and said jokingly, "Someone here might be a minister years from now," adding, "Back in the old days, I'd be taking photos with this person."

After Hwang and Lee on Sept. 13 accepted their Emmys for "Squid Game," President Yoon sent a congratulatory message saying, "I congratulate you together with the entire nation."

Korea.net