A Korean scientist was presented with the honorary award the Commander of the Order of the British Empire by British Ambassador to South Korea Scott Wightman for contributing to bilateral diplomatic ties during a special reception at the ambassador’s residence in Seoul.

Chung Hee-sun, dean of the Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology at Chungnam National University, received the award on July 9 for her contribution to improving academic exchanges and knowledge sharing between South Korea and Britain.

Chung’s ties with the U.K. date back the the 1990s. She was a participant in Britain’s Chevening scholarship program, which is aggressively promoted here, when Chung did postgraduate work at King’s College London from 1990-91.

“We have hosted many events through the course of the last two years but, without a doubt, tonight’s event will give us more pleasure than any other,” Ambassador Wightman said. “I am very proud that the United Kingdom has played a role in professor Chung’s success.”

Since then, she has “worked tirelessly to enhance the reputation of the United Kingdom’s world-class universities in the Republic of Korea, developing research links and academic exchanges with British universities and encouraging leading Korean students to undertake study in the United Kingdom,” Wightman said.

Chung is an internationally respected forensic scientist. She was the director-general of the Korean National Forensic Service and is currently the president of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. She served a stint as the president of the Chevening Alumni Association here from 2011-2013, leading a range of alumni activities in coordination with the British Embassy and British Council.

Other South Koreans who have received similar recognition include former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and Park Jin, former chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification committee at the National Assembly.

(ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)