YouTube smash 'Gangnam Style' singer awarded national culture honour

South Korea has awarded one of its highest cultural honours to the singer behind the global hit 'Gangnam Style'.

The South Korean culture ministry announced that singer Psy, 34, (real name is Park Jae-Sang) is to be awarded the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.

The honour is awarded for "outstanding meritorious services" to the arts.

Famed for his quirky horse-riding dance routine, Psy's 'Gangnam Style' has racked up more than 654 million views on YouTube, making it the second most-watched video of all time.

"Psy has been chosen to be decorated for not only being a long-term artist, but also for advertising Gangnam widely and increasing the world's interest in Korea," said a culture ministry official.