SEOUL – On March 20, 2025, a meaningful award ceremony took place ahead of the National Conference for Ethnic Reconciliation’s general assembly at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall. Yoon Soon-jin, Director General of the UN Korea Peace and Prosperity Foundation (UN PEACEKOR), was honored with the Minister of Unification Award for her significant contributions to fostering peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and building a global Korean network.
Yoon, a founding member of UN PEACEKOR, has served in various roles, including planning committee member, operations committee member, and director, before assuming her current position as Director General. Her efforts have spanned multiple initiatives, such as the "DMZ Peace March" to preserve the DMZ ecosystem and promote peace, peace conferences, global Korean collaboration projects, and social welfare activities. The DMZ Peace March, in particular, has played a key role in raising awareness of the ecological value of the Demilitarized Zone and establishing it as a symbol of peace.
UN PEACEKOR: A Hub for Peace and Global Cooperation
UN PEACEKOR, a nonprofit public organization under the Ministry of Unification, collaborates with UN partner NGOs such as UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, and UNFPA, earning it international recognition. Designated by the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance as a donation organization and a North Korea support entity, it enjoys widespread trust both domestically and abroad.
Leveraging its extensive global Korean network, UN PEACEKOR actively engages in pressing global issues, including climate change response, the globalization of the Korean language, and efforts to make Korean an official UN language. The organization also promotes sociocultural exchanges to restore Korean ethnic unity, provides humanitarian aid and development cooperation for North Korea, conducts education and advocacy for peaceful unification, and works to protect the Korean Peninsula’s ecosystem.
"A Path to Peace and Prosperity Together"
During the ceremony, Yoon expressed gratitude, stating, “The peace of the Korean Peninsula and the expansion of the global Korean network cannot be achieved alone. This recognition is a result of the dedication and support of everyone at UN PEACEKOR.” She pledged to continue efforts to realize the values of peace and prosperity.
A Ministry of Unification official praised Yoon’s consistent contributions, saying, “Her work has greatly advanced the foundation for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula. We look forward to UN PEACEKOR’s continued success.”
With growing global attention on climate and environmental issues, UN PEACEKOR has prioritized protecting the DMZ and the Korean Peninsula’s ecosystem. Its push to designate Korean as a UN official language is seen as an effort to promote the cultural value of Hangul while strengthening Korean identity. Additionally, the organization connects the 7.5 million-strong Korean diaspora worldwide, amplifying its global influence.
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