The Peruvian government last week bestowed the Distinguished Merit Award to Park Dae-won, Korea International Cooperation Agency president, for his service in improving the quality of life in the Latin American country.

“It’s very important because it’s a recognition of the work that KOICA has done and is doing in Peru,” Peruvian Ambassador Marcela Lopez-Bravo told The Korea Herald.

Established in 1991 by the Foreign Ministry, KOICA’s goal is to provide assistance to many parts of the world and reduce absolute poverty and social inequality.

KOICA sends a steady stream of volunteers to Peru to help build hospitals and schools as well as helping in other areas where there is great need.

Peruvian workers are trained in Korea while students from Peru further their education at local universities.

“Ten years ago, Korea used to see Latin America as a very far off land, but things have changed,” she said. “Korea now sees the abundance of natural resources waiting to be discovered in South America that they need for their development, and Peru plays a very important role in this regard.”

Peru’s economy reflects its varied geography ― an arid coastal region, the Andes inland, and the tropical lands of the Amazon.

Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru’s coastal waters provide a plethora of fish.

With the exception of 2009, the Peruvian economy has grown a minimum of 9 percent annually since 2007 due to private investments and government spending.

Despite all these healthy numbers, Peru faces high levels of poverty and inequality.

Currently, the World Bank places Peru’s poverty level below those of Ecuador and Colombia, but above those of Argentina and Brazil.

Based on a $2 a day poverty line, poverty is prevalent in rural areas, while urban areas are the most unequal.

“We need capacity building for the people, the transfer of technology, health, education, environment and Korea has all this technology and experience which they share with us,” said Lopez-Bravo.

With its abundant natural and human resources, the Korean government places strong emphasis on capacity building in Peru.

KOICA is expected to supply the Peruvian economy with $45 million from now until 2014 to help build infrastructure, hospitals and expand their educational facilities mostly in rural, hard to reach areas.

“The territory of Peru is a challenge,” Lopez-Bravo said. “They are working in regions that are very poor.”

The “Al Merito por Servicios Distinguido en el Grado de Gran Cruz (Order of Merit for Distinguished Service in the Grade of Grand Cross)” was given to Park for his agency’s contribution to helping Peru grow.

Established in 1950, the award is given to those who have performed distinguished services in the fields of arts, sciences, industry and business.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)