KOREA FOUNDATION

7th KF Award Honors Dr. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St. Petersburg State University

This year, the KF chose Dr. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St. Petersburg University in Russia, as the winner of the seventh Korea Foundation Award. The award ceremony was held on December 13 at the Westin Chosun Seoul hotel.

Dr. Kropachev was selected for his contributions to the development of bilateral relations through the promotion of Korean studies in Russia and of private exchanges between the two countries. He played a leading role in expanding the more than 120-year-old Korean studies division of St. Petersburg University into an independent department in 2017. He also helped erect a statue of the late Pak Kyongni, a prominent Korean author, on the university’s campus and established a class related to her epic novel Toji (Land).

Since 2010, Dr. Kropachev has taken the lead in enhancing substantial and extensive exchange and cooperation between Russia and Korea in the fields of politics and diplomacy, economy and trade, education and science, art and culture, and journalism and social matters, serving as the Russian co-chair of the Korea-Russia Dialogue (KRD), a bilateral consultation channel for representatives from the government, private sector, industries, and academic circles.

The Korea Foundation Award was established in 2008 to honor individuals and organizations that endeavor to deliver accurate information about Korea to the rest of the world and to foster mutual international understanding. The award is presented every other year.

Award winners to date have been selected from recommended candidates active in public diplomacy efforts, the promotion of Korean studies overseas, and the strengthening of Korea-related policy research abroad. These recommendations are made by Korean diplomatic missions around the world, Korean and foreign experts in relevant fields, and ordinary Koreans. The final winner is decided through strict deliberation and is honored with a cash prize of USD 20,000, a plaque, an invitation to visit Korea, and an award presentation ceremony.

Korea Foundation AwardRussiaSt. Petersburg