On June 1, New York-based video artist Kimsooja was awarded the 2015 Ho-Am Prize in Seoul. The prize, established in 1990 by the Korean conglomerate Samsung and named after the pen-name of its late founder Lee Byung-chull, is awarded to “people of Korean heritage who have contributed to the enrichment of culture and arts for humankind.” As part of the Ho-Am Prize, Kimsooja was presented with a special diploma, a pure gold medal and a cash prize of KRW 300 million (USD 275,000).

On August 18, Lee Yong-woo, president of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, announced his decision to resign over controversy surrounding a satirical painting of South Korean president Park Geun-hye. 

On June 7, Seoul-based architect Minsuk Cho received  this year’s prestigious Golden Lion award at the 14th Venice Architecture Biennale 2014 for the Korean Pavilion.