Kookmin University wins grand prize in industry category at Korea Character Awards 2026

Kookmin University’s character mascot, “Mr. Doctor,” won the grand prize in the industry category at the Korea Character Awards 2026, held Tuesday at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, the university said. The Korea Character Awards program recognizes outstanding characters developed by local governments, public institutions and companies nationwide, evaluating them on creativity, public appeal, commercial potential and practical application. The university said it has consistently communicated its educational philosophy and brand values through Mr. Doctor while expanding the character’s use with diverse content and community engagement programs. Mr. Doctor embodies the journey of an ordinary person who becomes a leading expert in their field through learning and perseverance. It also symbolizes the university community’s entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take on new challenges. The character originated from a gold-colored sculpture approximately 3 meters tall installed at the university’s main gate in February 2019. It was designed by Stefano Giovannoni, a world-renown