Jung appointed UNHCR goodwill ambassador
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Actor Jung Woo-sung, left, receives a plaque marking his appointment as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) from Dirk Hebecker, representative of UNHCR’s Seoul office, Thursday. / Courtesy of UNHCR Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
Film star Jung Woo-sung has been chosen as the first Korean goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR’s Seoul office announced Thursday.
In that capacity, Jung will serve as a public advocate for refugees and human rights issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
“I am honored by this appointment and will do my best to alert more people about the hardships of refugees as a goodwill ambassador of UNHCR,” Jung said.
The 41-year-old actor said he was alarmed that there are still so many people who need help.
“I would like to express my appreciation for Jung’s decision despite his tight schedule,” said Dirk Hebecker, a representative of the UNHCR Korea. “I hope Jung, as our honorary advocate, can raise public awareness about 40 million refugees all over the world.”
Jung’s first engagement will be an appearance on an ad campaign ahead of World Refugee Day, which falls on June 20.
Since his debut in 1994 in “The Fox with Nine Tails,” Jung has gained huge popularity in Korea and other Asian countries. His filmography includes “Beat” (1997), “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2008) and “Cold Eyes” (2013).