A Korean local staffer at the Swedish Embassy here was awarded the prestigious Royal Order of the Polar Star in a ceremony at the residence of Swedish Ambassador to Korea Lars Danielsson on Monday.

Bak Hyun-jung, director of press, culture and information at the Swedish Embassy, received the order “for her exceptional contributions to Sweden and Swedish interests, notably in promoting cultural exchanges” between Korea and Sweden, Danielsson said during the award ceremony on Monday.

“The awarding of the Order of the Polar Star to Hyun-jung Bak is remarkable in many ways,” he said. “Mrs. Bak is the first Korean woman and the youngest person in this country to receive this order, which is a testimony to her exceptional contribution to Korean-Swedish cooperation.”

After graduating from Ewha Womans University, 46-year-old Bak joined the Swedish Embassy as a locally hired official in 1989 where she worked continuously for 24 years. Last year she was instrumental in the state visit to Korea by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Bak is the first non-Swedish head of a press, culture and information office at any Swedish diplomatic mission abroad, Danielsson said.

Some 30 Korean nationals have received the Order, including Dr. Lee Se-ung, chairman of Shin-il Corporation and the Korea Sweden Cultural Society, who was also present during Monday’s award ceremony.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)