NEW YORK (Yonhap) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan on Tuesday held out hope for a role by Hines Ward, a Korean-born American football player, in promoting emotional and cultural ties with the United States.
"Ward, who has achieved the American dream after being given birth by a Korean mother, is an example of the strong bond between South Korea and the U.S.," Kim said in a ceremony to appoint him as honorary ambassador for relations with Washington.
Ward plays wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning Super Bowl most-valuable player honors in 2006. He has since worked for biracial youth in South Korea.
"I expect Ward, who is a top U.S. football player, to become a strong bridge to connect South Korea with the U.S.," the minister said.
Ward replied that he would do everything he can to help his birth land, which he left as a toddler.
Kim arrived in New York earlier in the day and attended the U.N. General Assembly, where his former colleague Ban Ki-moon was reappointed as secretary-general of the 192-member body. Ban was Seoul's top diplomat before taking the post in 2007.
Kim is scheduled to meet with South Korean and U.S. business leaders here on Wednesday and head to Washington for talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday. (Yonhap)