 In 1985, he won the first prize in the prestigious 6th Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition (presently, the Cleveland Competition) held in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.In recognition of his achievements both in Korea and aboard, he also received the 18th Nan-Pa Music Award, given to a musician who made the greatest contribution to the classical music world, by the Nan-Pa Society in honor of the late Hong Nan-pa, the maestro of Korea.In 2002, he was awarded 'the musician of the year' prize by the Music Association of Korea, and he has been designated as "the most famous pianist in Korea" by national newspaper "The Dong-a Ilbo".