(C) 360onetravel.com

SEOUL – Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young presented a prestigious plaque of appreciation to legendary singer Yim Jae-beum, who recently announced his retirement from the music industry.

The Ministry announced on Sunday that Minister Choi visited the "I Am Yim Jae-beum" 40th-anniversary concert held at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park on January 17 to personally deliver the award.

During the ceremony, Minister Choi expressed deep gratitude, stating, "Yim has dedicated himself to the development of Korean popular music with his unparalleled artistic spirit and soul-stirring voice. His numerous masterpieces have provided profound comfort to the public and significantly elevated the status of our popular culture."

Yim Jae-beum debuted in 1986 as the frontman for the heavy metal band Sinawe. Over the past four decades, he became a national icon known for his husky, powerful vocals and a string of mega-hits, including "For You," "Flight," "Confession," and "Scar Deeper than Love."

The veteran singer shocked fans on January 4 by announcing that he would permanently leave the stage following the conclusion of his current national tour. Having kicked off the tour last November, Yim is scheduled to perform his final shows in cities including Suwon, Ilsan, and Gwangju through May 2026.