Korea’s acclaimed actor Ahn Sung-ki has won the 2008 Nikkei Asia prize. The prize recognizes achievements that contribute to the improved well-being of Asian people.

Ahn won the culture prize for his activities as a cultural ambassador to the world. Nikkei Inc. described him as an actor, who is noted for his soft-spoken, yet charismatic personality and active participation in the film industries of Korea, Japan and China. Ahn has appeared in “A Battle of Wits,” a joint Korea-China-Japan production, and the Japanese film “A Sleeping Man,” promoting the cultural exchanges among three Asian nations. Ahn was also applauded for his efforts to keep Korea’s screen quota system intact. He has been a vocal opponent of the opening of the Korean market to a flood of foreign movies without setting up proper defense mechanisms for the struggling Korean film industry.

Other recipients of the prize include Wang Canfa in the regional growth category and C. N. R. Rao in the science, technology and innovation category. The award ceremony will take place in Tokyo on next Wednesday, May 21st.