Park Chung-kwan, the head of the international development cooperation NGO Ji Foundation , received the 2025 Presidential Citation for International Development Cooperation at the Development Cooperation Day ceremony held at The Plaza Hotel on November 25.
The "Government Award for Merit for International Development Cooperation" was established to recognize and encourage individuals who have contributed to the development of recipient countries and strengthened Korea's international cooperation capacity through Official Development Assistance (ODA). Each year, on November 25th, at the Development Cooperation Day ceremony, recipients are awarded various honors, including the Presidential Citation, the Prime Minister's Citation, and medals and decorations.
Approximately 200 people, including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Chang-ryeol, Chairman of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), ambassadors to Korea from partner countries, and heads of international organizations in Korea, attended the event. The event began with an opening ceremony, followed by awards for distinguished development cooperation participants, a congratulatory performance, and a talk concert showcasing best practices in development cooperation.
Park Chung-kwan was recognized for his contributions to improving the quality of life in developing countries in Africa and Asia and strengthening Korea's international standing through education, health, and self-reliance support projects. Over the past decade, Park has led the Ji Foundation, dispatching emergency relief teams and spearheading customized relief efforts in affected areas, contributing to sustainable development in areas such as education and sanitation.
In his acceptance speech, CEO Park Chung-kwan said, "I am grateful to have received this meaningful award in the field of development cooperation. This award was possible thanks to the collaboration of our many partner organizations and experts working in the field. We will continue to strengthen our foundation of cooperation and do our best to create a world where there is no distinction between those who give and those who receive aid."
The Ji Foundation is an international development cooperation NGO with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). It carries out various projects, including educational support and healthcare projects for developing countries overseas, and domestic support for children and adolescents, low-income women, and social and economic projects.
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