A Korean man has been honored for his more than 50 years of work to bring New Zealand War Veterans closer to Korea.

Chi Kap-chong became an honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the June 4 Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee New Zealand Honours List for his services to New Zealand-Korean relations.

Chi, who is Chairman of the U.N. Korean War Allies Association, received his award from Ambassador Patrick Rata at the New Zealand Embassy that morning.

“Mr. Chi’s tireless work over more than five decades to promote better understanding between the U.N. Allies, including New Zealand, and Korea is highly valued by New Zealand,” the ambassador said.

Chi is a retired Korean journalist and a former member of the Korean National Assembly. As the founder of the U.N. Korean War Allies Association, he not only established the New Zealand ANZAC memorial in Gapyeong but also donated the stone that forms the base of the memorial.

He has worked to promote better understanding between the U.N. Allies, particularly the Commonwealth countries and Korea, and has focused on ensuring that veterans are remembered by future generations of Koreans. Although he is now in his eighties, he still attends all Commonwealth Commemorative meetings and activities.

He has met many New Zealand prime ministers and other dignitaries visiting Korea, most recently giving a speech when New Zealand Prime Minister John Key attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Gapyeong memorial in March.

“Mr Chi’s efforts have made an enormous contribution to ensuring that New Zealand veterans and the role New Zealand played in the Korean War are remembered by current and future generations of Koreans,” Ambassador Rata said.

Only a small number of non-New Zealanders receive the honour of becoming an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

By Kirsty Taylor (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)