The Korean American Leadership Foundation in Los Angeles will present the Proud Korean Award to Columbia University physics professor Philip Kim, 44, and South Korea’s former National Assembly Speaker Lee Man-seop, 79. The award ceremony will be held on August 7 at the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, during which each winner will be presented a plaque and a prize of $10,000.

Since 2006, the award annually recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the “enhancement of the international image of Korea,” the Korea Herald reports. Both Kim and Lee have made advancements in their own fields—Kim is a physicist known for his groundbreaking research on graphene, and Lee is a former lawmaker honored for his political integrity.

A third recipient of the award will soon be announced as well.

[Photo: Korea Herald]