Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Former ruling party leader receives French Legion of Honour medal
Former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Song Young-gil, right, holds hands with French ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort after receiving the officier of the Legion of Honour for his effort to promote Korea-France relations at the country's embassy in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Song Young-gil
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Song Young-gil received the French officier of the Legion of Honour medal for his effort to promote Korea-France relations and seek new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, Tuesday.
French ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort bestowed the medal on behalf of France's President Emmanuel Macron at the country's embassy in central Seoul.
The Legion of Honour is the highest French order of merit and has five levels ― chevalier, officier, commandeur, grand officier and grand-croix.
Song previously received the chevalier of the Legion of Honour medal back in 2009 in recognition of his efforts as the president of the Korea-France Parliamentary Friendship Association from 2004 to 2008 and has been promoted to the class of officier.
Song expressed gratitude over the opportunities to take part in forging the comprehensive partnership for the 21st century and developing Korea-France relations.
Song, who is currently running in the DPK's primary for Seoul mayor, promoted his pledge of attracting the fifth United Nations office to Seoul during the ceremony. Currently, the UN has offices in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi in addition its headquarters in New York.
"(By hosting the UN's fifth office in Seoul) we can expect a wider usage of French, which is one of the official languages of the UN, and increase human resource exchanges between Korea and France," Song wrote on his Facebook account.
"I asked the ambassador for France's support in hosting the UN office in Seoul as a permanent member of the Security Council."