Atlanta, February 15, 2023 – The Board of Directors of the American Korean Friendship Society (AKFS) formally announced the honorees of 2023 New American Hero Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. The American Korean Friendship Society has held an annual dinner gala presenting its New American Hero Award since 2000. This year dinner gala is scheduled on March 3 at the Cherokee Town Club in Buckhead.
Honorees of the New American Hero Award and Lifetime Achievement Award are American citizens of Korean ancestry who have made significant contributions to the nation. The honorees serves as role models and encouraging and empowering Korean Americans to serve their communities, neighborhoods, and the country.
This year's honorees are Dr. Jim Yong Kim, MD, PhD, former Director of the World Health Organization and Dr. Abraham Kim, PhD, Executive Director of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA).
Dr. Jim Yong Kim is currently Vice Chairman and Partner at Global Infrastructure Partners, a fund that invests in infrastructure projects across several sectors around the world. He is a physician, the 17th President of Dartmouth College, the 12th President of the World Bank Group, former Director of the World Health Organization’s HIV/AIDS department, and co-founder of Partner in Health.
The American Korean Friendship Society (AKFS) presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to a Korean American to recognize proven leadership and significant contributions each year to the Korean American community. AKFS honors Dr. Abraham Kim, executive director of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA), for the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his significant contributions.
Since 2011, the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) has been working tirelessly to influence and empower the Korean American Community. Under the leadership of Dr. Abraham Kim, CKA has worked to uplift and expand Korean Americans’ roles in American society and the Korean American Community. His long-term vision has connected and encouraged Korean American Community members in unprecedented ways. Since 2018, the CKA National Summit & Gala have grown exponentially in size and scope, along with an ever-increasing membership.
“We are pleased to honor this year's esteem recipients. Both have accomplished so much and have brought must respect to our heritage as Korean Americans. I look forward to the awards presentation this year,” said Sunny K. Park, Founder and President of American Korean Friendship Society.
Past honorees of the New American Hero award including Dr. Tom Kim, US Army Lt Col John Oh, Dr. Sammy Lee, first Asian American to win Olympic Gold Medals, Steve Stirling, Byung “BJay” Pak, former US Attorney for Northern District of Georgia, Henry Cho, popular standup comedian, and several other distinguished Korean individuals.
AKFS has presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards to the late Attorney Han Choi, former partner at Ballard Spahr, and Jay Eun, co-founder and CEO of Golden Stella, and Bank Kiu Kim, President of Korean American Grocer's Association.
American Korean Friendship Society is a non-profit and non-political 501(C)3 organization.
