Hyundai Motor adviser Sung Kim wins George F. Kennan Award

Sung Kim

Sung Kim, former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy and an adviser for Hyundai Motor, has been nominated as this year’s recipient of the George F. Kennan Award for Distinguished Public Service, the carmaker said, Friday.

The award, established by the U.S. National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) in honor of former U.S. diplomat George F. Kennan, recognizes Americans who have made exemplary contributions to the country’s national interests. Kim will receive the award during a ceremony on Oct. 24 in New York.

According to Hyundai Motor, the NCAFP nominated Kim for his “excellent diplomatic career of serving as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia” and the award is to “recognize his significant contributions to the field of U.S. foreign policy.”

Kim, a leading U.S. expert on Asia and the Korean Peninsula, has held key roles in Washington's Asia-Pacific diplomacy, including the U.S. ambassador to Korea, special representative for North Korea policy and the special envoy for the six-party talks.

He began his advisory role with Hyundai Motor in January, bringing his expertise to help the carmaker navigate geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Hyundai Motor said Kim has been advising the automaker on expanding its overseas presence and improving communication with global partners and policymakers.

Kim said the award is not just a recognition of his individual achievement but also a reflection of the efforts of his supervisors and colleagues throughout his public service career. He added that he will continue working to bring positive changes to international relations and diplomacy.

The NCAFP is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a think tank of U.S. scholars and government experts dedicated to supporting Washington’s foreign policy objectives. Established in 1994, the George F. Kennan Award has been presented to notable figures including former World Bank Group President James Wolfensohn, former Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve Paul Volcker, and former U.S. Ambassador to China and Russia Jon Huntsman.