USFK honors seven Korean citizens, one organization for being ‘good neighbors’

SEOUL — U.S. Forces Korea recognized seven individuals and one organization Wednesday for taking steps to strengthen relations between South Koreans and the United States.

“These gentlemen do that every day and they don’t get paid one penny for it. They do this out of the goodness of their hearts to bring these two nations closer together,” U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. B.B. Bell said before a ceremony honoring them.

The Good Neighbor Awards recognize South Koreans who have contributed to a better quality of life for U.S. servicemembers and furthered ties between the two countries.

This year’s award winners hosted programs that introduced U.S. servicemembers to Korean culture, as well as sporting events and other activities.

“What we are doing is nothing compared to what U.S. troops are doing for our country,” said award winner Kang Yu-lee. “I feel like it’s our duty to take care of these young soldiers and their families in Korea.”

The winners were given medals and plaques during a ceremony, followed by a dinner, at the Dragon Hill Lodge.

The winners and their achievements, according to the ceremony program:

• Pyeongtaek University, for programs including visits to local orphanages by students and USFK servicemembers, and the Korean Head Start Program, which introduces U.S. servicemembers to the Korean culture and language.
• Cho Se-hyun, president of the Health Promotion Center, Kangnam CHA Hospital. Established the 2nd Infantry Division Tae Kwon Do Association in 2006, provided financial support and sponsorship for programs benefiting 2ID soldiers, including the Korean musical “Nanta,” and served as a medical and fitness consultant to U.S. soldiers.
• Lee Kang-yu, chair of Hyukjae Associates and president of the Second to None Soldier Support Group. Founding member of the AUSA Uijeongbu Chapter, and sponsor of homestay programs, city tours and dinner tables for the United Service Organizations’ annual Six-Star Salute.
• Billy Kim, pastor emeritus of Suwon Central Baptist Church and president of the Far East Broadcasting Company. Sponsored concerts and performances, is a member of the Commander’s Korean Advisory Council and a founding member of the Korean-American Protestant Pastor Association.
• Park Byung-ho, chair of DaeLim Foodstuff Co./Sun Cheon Leports. A patron of the Annual Air Force Ball in Seoul, the MIG Alley Chapter of the Air Force Association and the Young Leader’s Program, and vice chairman of the People to People New Seoul chapter.
• Yi Mun-hwan with People to People and a 15-year member of the Wonju Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors luncheons, field trips, golfing, cultural and sporting events, and hosts victory parties for two annual military exercises.
• n Lee Yoon-sok, honorary president of Hwasung Industry and Dong-A department store, president of the Korean-American Partnership Association, which sponsors events for U.S. soldiers and their families in Daegu.
• Moon Dong-shin, mayor of Gunsan city. Co-chair of the Korean and American Friendship Council, recently dedicated two city buses twice a month to personnel inprocessing at Kunsan Air Base. A member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, Gunsan City Chapter.