Choi Jung-wha, pioneer of cultural diplomacy, dies at 71

Choi Jung-wha, chairperson of the Corea Image Communication Institute, delivers an opening speech during the Culture Communication Forum at the Italian ambassador’s residence in Seoul, May 21. Yonhap

Choi Jung-wha, an honorary professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and chairperson of the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), passed away on Sunday, according to her family. She was 71.

Choi was a pioneering figure in cultural diplomacy and interpretation who dedicated her life to enhancing Korea’s national image and strengthening the country’s ties with France.

Born in Seoul in 1955, Choi graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with a degree in French and later obtained her master's and doctoral degrees from the Graduate School for Translation and Interpretation at Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris. She became the first Korean to work as a simultaneous interpreter for international conferences.

Throughout her career, she interpreted for more than 20 bilateral summits and over 2,000 international conferences. She served as the primary interpreter for French presidents, including Francois Mitterrand during his official visit to Korea and Jacques Chirac during his summits with former President Roh Moo-hyun.

In 2003, Choi founded the CICI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Korean culture abroad.

Under her leadership, the institute launched the annual Korea Image Awards to recognize individuals and organizations that elevated Korea's global standing. Past recipients of the awards included former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and soprano Sumi Jo.

Choi also expanded her cultural outreach in recent years by launching a YouTube channel to introduce French and Korean cultures to wider audiences and authored more than 30 books.

Her contributions earned her high recognition from the French government. In 2003, she became the first Korean woman to receive the Legion of Honour at the rank of Chevalier. Last year, she became the first Korean woman to be elevated to the rank of Officier in recognition of her decades-long devotion to education and cultural exchange.

She is survived by her husband, Didier Beltoise.