KSOC President Ryu Seung-min Awarded Friendship Medal by Mongolian President

Ryu Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), was awarded the Friendship Medal in the name of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh today (July 9).

The KSOC explained that the Friendship Medal is awarded by the Mongolian President to foreigners who have made long-term contributions to Mongolia's development in specific fields, and it is one of the highest honors Mongolia bestows upon foreign nationals.

President Ryu received the medal in recognition of the KSOC's contributions to the development of sports and the strengthening of athletic capabilities in Mongolia through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs.

The decision to award the medal was made following a recommendation from the Mongolian National Olympic Committee and a review by the Mongolian government.

Since 2013, the KSOC has been conducting sports ODA projects for Mongolia, operating various programs such as coaching education, invitational training, dispatching domestic coaches, and providing sports equipment.

With such support, Mongolia achieved its first-ever participation and first victory in table tennis at the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021, and this year, it achieved simultaneous participation in both men's and women's team events at the World Table Tennis Championships for the first time in 10 years.

"This medal is a very meaningful award that recognizes the efforts of South Korean sports and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee in international sports cooperation," said President Ryu Seung-min. "I will continue to contribute to the development of international sports and the promotion of friendship through sports ODA projects."

(Photo: Courtesy of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.