Peru Says Muchas Gracias to KOICA
By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
The Peruvian government has expressed its thanks for Korea's humanitarian work in Peru.
Peruvian Ambassador Marcela Lopez decorated Jang Bong-soon, former director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), for his dedication at her residence in Seoul, Thursday.
In her remarks, Lopez said, `` This decoration is given on behalf of the Peruvian government in recognition of the excellent labor carried out by Mr. Bong in cooperation with diverse projects that the Korean agency of international cooperation has performed in my country in the areas of public health, improved life conditions, education, institutional management, and the development of information technologies.''
KOICA is affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Jang spent two and a half years in Peru until last March helping people cope with disease and poverty.
Now, he works in the regional development team at the KOICA.
Since its establishment in 1991, KOICA has performed several local projects such as building and expanding clinics, constructing infrastructure and building up IT networks.
Also, it has been bringing Peruvian workers to Korea for training and sending Korean engineers and civilians to Peru for voluntary work.
Jang said emphasis in Peru has been placed on public health to benefit people in rural areas, and it has been quite successful. Currently, KOICA runs clinics in six different locations, and five Korean doctors serve as volunteers.
KOICA has 50-60 target nations in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The ambassador extended her personal thanks to Koreans for their support for victims of an earthquake that hit Peru this summer.
She opened a bank account in Korea as part of efforts to raise recovery funds, and raised nearly $600,000.
Lopez said she has been impressed with the warm hearts of Koreans, and donated it to a private recovery project in Peru.
Asked about the recovery process, the ambassador said that although it is slow, it is coming along.