Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, awarded Mongolia's 'Order of Friendship' for contributions to sports ODA projects

*This content was translated by AI.

Yoo Seung-min (44), president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, has received the highest honor bestowed by Mongolia on foreigners who have contributed to the country's development.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced that Yoo Seung-min (Chairman) was awarded the 'Medal of Friendship' in the name of the Mongolian President on the 9th. The Medal of Friendship is a decoration personally conferred by the Mongolian president on foreigners who have made long-term contributions in specific fields and contributed to Mongolia's development, making it one of the highest-level government honors available to foreign recipients.

This award recognizes the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's active promotion of sports official development assistance (ODA) projects over the years, which significantly contributed to Mongolia's sports development and strengthening of athletic capabilities. Yoo (Chairman) was selected as the final recipient after undergoing rigorous review by the Mongolian government following a recommendation from the Mongolian National Olympic Committee.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has been systematically implementing sports ODA projects targeting Mongolia since 2013. Specifically, it has strengthened Mongolia's sports foundation through practical and multifaceted programs including operation of sports coach education programs, invitation training sessions, dispatching top domestic coaches, and provision of sports equipment.

Thanks to such comprehensive support, Mongolian table tennis achieved the historic milestone of qualifying for the main tournament and securing its first-ever victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, at the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships held in London this year, it achieved the valuable accomplishment of joint men's and women's team participation for the first time in a decade, setting a model example of bilateral sports cooperation.

Yoo Seung-min (Chairman) stated, "This award is a very meaningful outcome that recognizes not only personal honor but also the efforts poured by the South Korean sports community and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee to promote international sports cooperation," adding, "Moving forward, we will further sustain and expand sports ODA projects to lead the joint development of the international sports community and enhance friendly relations between nations."

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*This content was translated by AI.