[서울=뉴스핌] Diplomatic Reporter Yoo Shin-mo = The Korean Embassy in the Philippines (Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa) received this year’s ‘Youngsan Diplomat Award’ in the public diplomacy category in recognition of its successful work in handling Korean incidents and accidents. This is the first time that an organization rather than an individual has been selected as the winner of this award.
The Seoul International Forum (Chairman Ryu Jin) selected the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, Consul General in Kohama Kim Ok-chae, and pianist Seong-jin Cho as this year’s winners and held an awards ceremony at Poongsan Building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 28th.
The Youngsan Diplomat Award was first established in 2008 and is awarded annually to government and private figures who have worked to enhance national interests and the country’s image on the diplomatic front.
Regarding the background of selecting the Korean Embassy in the Philippines as the group winner in the public diplomacy category, the Seoul International Forum said, “The Philippines is the country in the world where the most incidents and accidents involving Korean citizens occur, to the extent that it is called a ‘comprehensive gift set of incidents and accidents.'” “Over the past year, the Embassy in the Philippines has cooperated closely with Philippine judicial authorities to build ties and not only handle violent cases such as kidnapping, confinement, and gun accidents, but also repatriate a total of 85 fugitives,” he explained.
The Seoul International Forum also added, “We have effectively responded to emergency situations, such as treating emergency patients during the emergency landing of our aircraft (206 Korean citizens on board) that occurred in June last year.”
The Seoul International Forum continued, “By quickly implementing the first introduction and pilot project of foreign child care workers, we contributed to resolving the problem of manpower shortage due to low birth rate in Korea, and Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa and all staff elevated the Philippines, a country that participated in the Korean War, to a strategic partner during President Yoon Seok-yeol’s recent state visit.” “I also contributed to making it happen,” he explained.
Kim Ok-chae, Consul General in Kohama, who has worked at diplomatic missions in Japan six times since 1993, including the Consul General in Fukuoka and the Embassy in Japan, also received this award in the public diplomacy category. The Seoul International Forum explained Consul General Kim, “As a diplomat specializing in Japan, he has contributed greatly to resolving pending issues of Korean residents in Japan, refuted Japan’s claim to sovereignty over Dokdo, and made great efforts to correct distorted perceptions of history.”
In addition, pianist Cho Seong-jin, winner of the Private Diplomacy category, said, “With his outstanding musical talent and sincere efforts, he represented Korea’s classical music world to the world,” and “He contributed greatly to international cultural exchange, raising Korea’s status as the best cultural diplomat to the world.” “We are taking the lead in establishing it,” he said, explaining the background to his selection.
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