KDCA Receives 2020 Cultural and Public Diplomacy Award
November 24, 2020 – As a part of the Leo Gala Series to give wider publicity to Korean culture and celebrate its beauty beyond the facade, Asia Society Korea honored Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) with Asia Society Korea’s 2020 Cultural and Public Diplomacy Award for their dedicated efforts to achieve transparency amid the pandemic and to show the appreciation for their selfless hard work to save lives during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Eun-Kyeong Jeong, Commissioner of KDCA, accepted the award on behalf of the agency.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), now called the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), has been in charge of advising South Korea’s disease control guidelines, including strict social distancing, which have been highly praised by the international community. Thanks to their arduous and continuous dedication, South Korea has been regarded as one of the few nations that has kept the spread of the virus under control. To date, there have been less than 30,000 confirmed cases nationwide, and more than 25,000 of those who were infected have recovered. On September 8, 2020, in recognition of its appreciation for their profound performance, the South Korean government promoted the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and appointed Dr. Jeong as its first commissioner. Following her promotion, on September 23, 2020, Commissioner Jeong was selected as one of “the 100 Most Influential People of 2020” by Time magazine.
This year’s awardees were recommended and selected by Asia Society Korea’s 84 Honorary Ambassador Members, and the KDCA was selected with an overwhelming majority. While previous honorees traditionally received their awards at the Leo Gala, Asia Society Korea’s signature annual celebration, this year’s award was presented virtually.
At the ceremony, Asia Society Korea’s Chairman Mr. Dong-Bin Shin, Honorary Chairman Dr. Hong-Koo Lee, Executive Director Yvonne Kim, U.S. Ambassador H.E. Harry B. Harris Jr., British Ambassador H.E. Simon Smith, and New Zealand Ambassador H.E. Philip Turner were in attendance to present the Award on behalf of Asia Society Korea and its members.
The Asia Society Korea Cultural and Public Diplomacy Award was established in 2011 to honor those individuals and institutions who have brought about truly meaningful impacts and changes in public health, the global economy and social stability, and who are making a inspiring and positive impact across the region.
AWARD CEREMONY VIDEOS
Full Ceremony
H.E. Harry B. Harris Jr.'s Congratulatory Remark
H.E. Simon Smith's Congratulatory Remark
H.E. Philip Turner's Congratulatory Remark
Commissioner Eun-Kyeong Jeong's Acceptance Speech
Honorary Chairman Dr. Hong-Koo Lee's Congratulatory Remark