Korea Appoints New Honorary Ambassador for MICE Tourism

-Director General of International Vaccine Institute Named Honorary Ambassador-

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Hwang Hee) and Korea Tourism Organization (President Ahn Young-bae) have appointed Director General Jerome H. Kim of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) as the new Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism – MICE division. The Appointment Ceremony took place at IVI headquarters, Seoul on November 25th.

Highly distinguished in the field of international vaccines and infectious diseases, Jerome Kim served as Director General of the International Vaccine Institute since 2015. Headquartered in Seoul, the International Vaccine Institute is a non-profit international organization established under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and was the first international organization introduced to Korea back in 1994. IVI takes an active role in developing and distributing vaccines for world health, especially for underdeveloped and developing countries.

Director General Kim, who is an American national, is said to have readily accepted this appointment as Honorary Ambassador with deep affection for his grandfather's country of Korea as the grandson of Kim Hyun-gu, a patriot who fought for independence in the United States during the Japanese colonial period. As Honorary Ambassador, Director General Jerome Kim will participate in interviews with global MICE media to promote Korea as a safe and attractive MICE destination, based on his personal living experience in Korea.

The Appointment Ceremony was held at the International Vaccine Institute at Seoul National University on November 25th with KTO President Ahn Young-bae and Director General Jerome Kim in attendance. Director General Kim stated, “Korea has ideal conditions to become a world-class tourism and MICE powerhouse. With the prevention of the pandemic through vaccines and various measures, it is anticipated the Korean tourism and MICE industry will take a big leap forward thanks to the worldwide spread of Korean culture such as K-pop and movies”. In addition, Lee Young-geun, Director of the MICE Planning and Management Team of Korea Tourism Organization, said, “The contributions of Director General Kim, with his global recognition and credibility, will help greatly in promoting safe travel in Korea.”