The 1978 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts

CITATION for Yoon Suk-Joong

Ramon Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremonies
31 August 1978, Manila, Philippines

While the years may dim recall of recent events, we all carry through life recollections of our earliest learning. Rare is the individual not conditioned in mature decisions by an indelible childhood incident, remark by an elder or remembered phrase of advice. On the open, absorptive child's mind is etched so much more than we usually recognize as consequential. At the root of many social ills is the frequent failure to appreciate how determinative are these first lessons of a child's life.

In its children each civilization sows the seeds that in time make the national ethos. Especially among the newly independent nations there is a great need for children's literature that frees them of attitudes, prejudices and outdated values detrimental to growth as mature citizens who must shape the future of their culture. Their folk histories and legends are rich in lore of which creative writers can make splendid traditions.

YOON SUK-JOONG was born in 1911, one year after Korea became a Japanese colony, and grew up in the turbulent era of struggle for national identity. Among his enduring early memories was the March 1, 1919 demonstration that provided leadership for the modern independence movement. Preservation and enhancement of Korean culture was their first concern and became YOON'S inspiration. At the age of 12 he helped organize the "Flower Garden Club" as a reading circle. For publication in the club's magazine he wrote lyrics for familiar tunes so they could sing in the Korean language. "A Flowing Stream," "A Half-Moon in the Day Sky" and "Eat Hot Pepper and Whirl" are songs still sung by children today.

Among the musically gifted Koreans, composers soon began writing music for other of YOON'S poems. They became a popular vehicle for cementing national aspirations and values. With the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II, Korea became independent, though divided. Korean now became the language of education, rather than Japanese which formerly had been required in all schools. In the ensuing cultural renaissance, YOON'S songs increasingly made children's lives gayer and cultivated their ability to observe and think.

His works benefiting children are legion: reading, singing and citizenship clubs; orchestras; children's and mothers' essay, verse and song contests; a children's magazine; school songs requested by remote institutions, and books of songs and verse for all elementary grades. He founded and became president of Saesakhoe, the "New Bud Society," a children's welfare organization. Amidst the terrible trauma of the Korean War, when so much of the "land of the morning calm" was devastated, his poems and songs that young people had learned became a national asset.

Convinced that what children hear and read is at least as important as the clothes they wear and food they eat, YOON has broadened his writings to include stories of people and leaders around the world. From him a new generation of young Koreans is gaining an invaluable awareness of the increasingly interdependent world in which we all must live.

In electing YOON SUK JOONG to receive the 1978 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, the Board of Trustees recognizes his more than 1,000 poems and songs that over 40 years have fostered joyful, positive values among Korean children.