Hong Ra-hee receives National Order of Camellia for philanthropic contributions

Hong Ra-hee, Honorary Director of the Leeum Museum of Art, has been awarded the National Order of Camellia, the third-highest grade of South Korea's National Order, for her over 40 years of contributions to culture, medicine, and social welfare.

The award recognizes her extensive philanthropic efforts, including the 2021 donation of approximately 23,000 artworks from the late Lee Kun-hee collection to the state. This collection is scheduled for international exhibitions at institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the British Museum starting in November 2025.

Additionally, the Lee family donated 1 trillion won from the late Lee Kun-hee's estate toward medical causes. This includes 300 billion won for pediatric cancer and rare disease support, which led to the launch of a dedicated research task force, and 700 billion won for the establishment of infectious disease response infrastructure and the National Central Infectious Disease Hospital.

Hong has also been a significant donor to the Korean Red Cross, joining the ‘Red Cross Honors 10 Billion Club’ in 2025. Her charitable work extends to supporting youth foundations, local welfare organizations, and the preservation of religious and traditional cultural heritage.