'Symbol of citizen diplomacy' Dr. Billy Kim wins award

Dr. Billy Kim, left, the chairman of Far East Broadcasting Company Korea (FEBC-Korea), poses after winning the International Affairs Award given by the non-profit, the Seoul Forum, at the Far East Art Hall in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

By Park Ji-won

Dr. Billy Kim, the chairman of the Far East Broadcasting Company Korea (FEBC-Korea), received an annual diplomacy award in Seoul, Friday, for his role in enhancing Korea's image via cultural and aid activities in the United States and other countries.

Kim, also known as Pastor Kim Jang-hwan, won the 13th YoungSan Diplomat Award, which the non-profit, the Seoul Forum for International Affairs, awards to a civilian or public official each year for their contribution to Korea's diplomatic interests.

Last year, Choi Sung-jae, interpreter for director Bong Joon-ho during the campaign for the Oscar-winning film, "Parasite" and Kang Hyung-sik, head of the foreign ministry's international safety management bureau, also received the annual diplomacy award for their roles in boosting Korea's national image.

FEBC-Korea said that the 87-year-old also received prize money worth 10 million won ($8,496) at the Far East Art Hall in Seoul, Friday.

The organization was quoted as saying in a press release from the FEBC-Korea that Kim contributed to the improvement of bilateral relations between Korea and the U.S. by helping leaders in the two countries to meet. Kim also served as the first Asian president of the Baptist World Alliance from 2000 to 2005. It added that he improved the country's image by delivering a eulogy during the funeral service for Rev. Billy Graham in 2018, which was attended by political leaders such as former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kim said, "I receive this award on the behalf of FEBC-Korea members and the audience. Diplomacy cannot be don't by one person. It needs the participation of the 50-million population of Korea."

The awards ceremony was also attended by diplomatic officials such as Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations and Choi Jong-moon, the vice minister for foreign affairs.

Ban was quoted as saying, "Kim is a symbol of citizen diplomacy. He shows leadership in improving countries' interests. He did diplomacy that the U.N. wasn't able to do. For example, he provided up to 400 container houses for Syrian refugees in 2013 … 1,000 diplomats cannot do what Kim did."

He donated the prize money he received to the construction of the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which will include the names of 36,574 American soldiers and more than 7,200 members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, who were killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. The wall is expected to be built by 2022.

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