Associate Professor of East Asian Studies, Hye-Sook Wang, has been honored by the Korean government with a Cultural Merit Medal. The Cultural Merit Medal is the second highest honor that can be conferred by the President of South Korea on individuals who have "rendered distinguished service" to the country. Hye-Sook was recognized for the contributions she has made by teaching, researching, and promoting Korean language and culture. The medal was personally conferred on Hye-Sook at a ceremony held in Korea on "Hanguel Day," an annual holiday celebrated on Oct 9, that commemorates the creation of Hanguel (the Korean alphabet) by King Sejong the Great in 1446.