The 23rd annual USFK Good Neighbor Award ceremony recognized 33 service members, civilians and organizations for strengthening ties between the U.S. and South Korea, at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2026. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — The sponsor of a long-running student exchange program, a U.S. soldier who organizes environmental cleanups and a corporation promoting cultural outreach were among those honored as “good neighbors” by U.S. Forces Korea.
The 23rd annual USFK Good Neighbor Award ceremony, held Tuesday at the Morning Calm Center, recognized 33 service members, civilians and organizations for strengthening ties between the United States and South Korea.
The event celebrates community outreach and cultural exchanges that reinforce the alliance at the “human level,” USFK deputy commander, Air Force Lt. Gen. David Iverson, said during keynote remarks.
This year’s top Korean individual award went to Chung Sung-mok, a sponsor and co-president of the Korean American Friendship Circle.
Air Force Lt. Gen. David Iverson, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Korea, delivers keynote remarks during the Good Neighbor Award ceremony at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2026. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
The 23rd annual USFK Good Neighbor Award ceremony recognized 33 service members, civilians and organizations for strengthening ties between the U.S. and South Korea, at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2026. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
Air Force Lt. Gen. David Iverson, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Korea, delivers keynote remarks during the Good Neighbor Award ceremony at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2026. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
The organization runs a seven-month cultural exchange program pairing South Korean and American families with university students for cultural activities and volunteer service.
Chung helped more than 1,000 people take part in the program through more than a decade of involvement, according to his award citation.
Chung said after the ceremony he felt honored and more responsible than ever to continue promoting the organization’s work.
Spc. Malcolm Clark earned the top U.S. individual award for volunteer efforts supporting the American Red Cross and the USO, along with organizing environmental cleanup projects and children’s programs.
Other recipients included British civilian Lucy Ann Searles for English-learning charity work; Korean civilian Song Mi-kyong for legal assistance involving U.S. forces and Korean authorities; and Master Sgt. Park Jae-woo for coordinating cultural exchanges.
The top organization award went to Korea Land and Housing Corp. for environmental restoration projects, youth engagement activities and cultural events involving U.S. forces.
The company developed closer ties with USFK during the relocation of headquarter operations from Yongsan Garrison in Seoul to Pyeongtaek, vice president Kim Jae-kyung said after the ceremony.
U.S. Army Garrison Daegu’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company received the best unit award for volunteer service and its Global Aspan English Program, which has reached more than 3,100 students at 124 schools.
