The 3rd WACON 2024 ‘Top Player Award for Social Impact in Cybersecurity’ was successfully held on November 25th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, co-hosted by the Parliamentary Forum for Structural Reform for Sustainable Growth (Represented by Assembly Members Ko Dong-jin, Ahn Cheol-soo, Lee Sang-sik) and the Korean Journalists Association (President Song Dae-seok). This event recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing public security awareness and preventing potential damages by communicating the risks and importance of increasingly intelligent cyber threats. Sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Personal Information Protection Commission, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the event is organized by the Korea Sustainability Management Evaluation Institute.
Awards were presented in several categories: Academic, Research, Artist, Influencer, and White Hat Hacker.
Professor Min Moo-hong from Sungkyunkwan University’s Department of Computer Education received the Academic Top Player Award for significantly contributing to the theoretical and technical advancement of cybersecurity through various academic research and education, thereby fostering next-generation talent in the field.
Attorney Kim Jin-wook from the law firm Juwon was awarded the Research Top Player Award for enhancing societal safety through legal solutions and legislative security measures against cybercrime, and for contributing to reducing legal uncertainties for enterprises in the IT and cybersecurity fields.
Actress Lee Yeon received the Artist Award for raising public awareness about cybersecurity and promoting information security culture through her artistic portrayal of a veteran hacker in tvN’s drama in 2023.
Geekble CEO Park Chan-hoo was recognized in the Influencer category for using platforms like social media and YouTube to simplify and popularize cybersecurity knowledge, thereby strengthening public security awareness and hacking prevention.
KAIST student Jo Jung-hoon and Korea University student Lee Jin-heon jointly received the White Hat Hacker Award for their ethical hacking activities, fortifying national and personal security assets against intelligent cyber threats, and excelling in prestigious hacking competitions worldwide.