Korean envoy to UAE wins medal for boosting bilateral ties

Kwon Tae-kyun, left, Korean ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), shakes hands with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the latter’s office in Abu Dhabi, June 6. The minister presented the Independence Order, First Class, to Kwon for contributing to bilateral ties. / Yonhap

By Kwon Ji-youn

Kwon Tae-kyun, Korean ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), won a medal from the UAE government on June 6 for his efforts in promoting cooperative relations between the two countries.

“I believe I was awarded the medal because of the fine image the government, businesses and overseas Koreans have built for Korea,” Kwon said Monday.

He received the Independence Order, First Class, which is usually awarded to foreigners who have significantly influenced international cooperation in the Emirates.

“The UAE government rarely gives out medals or orders,” an embassy staffer said. “Last year, only one American received the medal, and there are no further plans to grant another of this order to anyone else this year.”

Kwon, who became Korea’s ambassador to the UAE in June 2010, has been acknowledged for his work on improving relations between Korea and the UAE in areas such as energy, construction, public health, education and art.

Kwon concluded his 35-year-long public service on Monday with the end of his three-year term as ambassador.

Before becoming ambassador, he served in the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

“I hope to be able to rest a little and spend time with my family, now that my term is over,” Kwon said. “As an expert in economics, I hope to start with my second career using the knowledge I have gained from working at the ministries.”