Following the initiative of the Brussels School of Governance, on 26 October 2023, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) awarded an honorary doctorate to Soongu Yoon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. He receives this recognition for acting as a pivotal bridge between the European Union and Korea on societal issues such as climate, green energy transition, science, digitisation, health, peace, and security. Furthermore, the ambassador is deeply involved in research on the relationship between the EU and Korea and supports the KF-VUB Korea Chair. The accolade is a fitting tribute within the context of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the EU and Korea, in which Ambassador Soongu Yoon played a vital role.
As an ambassador, Yoon has, over the past years, played an extraordinary role in strengthening ties between South Korea and the European Union. He concluded three significant treaties, promoted the signing of several International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and the EU's GDPR, and facilitated the annual EU-Korea Summits. Moreover, he was instrumental in Korea joining the EU initiative for a carbon-neutral society by 2050 and has actively collaborated with the EU in health, green, and digital policy. Additionally, he has contributed to structural relations with NATO.
A key link on the Belgian level
Not just on an international scale, but also nationally, Yoon has made a significant impact. He coordinated the celebration of 120 years of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Korea, honoured the Belgian soldiers who fought in the Korean War, and played an important role in promoting Korean culture in Belgium.
Facilitator of research on EU-Korea relations
Furthermore, Yoon was closely involved in academic research on EU-Korea relations. The Korean Embassy has been essential to the success of the prestigious EUIA Conference (EU in International Affairs), organised by the Institute for European Studies (IES) in partnership with the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), UNU-CRIS, Warwick University, and Egmont. Since 2021, the embassy has been supporting the organisation of the annual Brussels Forum, an event where Korean and European scholars gather to promote dialogue and collaboration.
Through the KF-VUB Korea Chair, numerous academic seminars, conferences, and meetings are held annually, focusing on peace, security, and sustainability, examining the roles of the EU and Korea. The Chair, thus, plays a critical role in advancing research and dialogue on EU-Korea relations and strengthens ties between Korea and Europe academically. It is unique in Europe, alongside a few similar Korea Chairs in the United States, highlighting the importance of the VUB in the region. The Chair is held by Prof. Dr. Ramon Pacheco Pardo of King's College UK, supervised by Prof. Dr. Luis Simon.
