By UN Journal Kayla Lee

The Korean government awarded former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg the Gwanghwa Order, the highest diplomatic honor, on May 6.
(local time)

Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong handed over the crown to Goldberg at the U.S. Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The Order of Diplomatic Friendship is the highest award given to those who have contributed to diplomatic relations.

Goldberg arrived in South Korea in July 2022, during the administration of former President Joe Biden, and served until January of this year, just before the U.S. regime change.

During this time, he played a key role in the six U.S.-ROK summits and five U.S.-Korea-Japan summits.

Cho thanked Goldberg on behalf of the government for his significant contributions to the U.S.-South Korea relationship.

"During my tenure, I am proud of all that we have accomplished in strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance and working within the framework of trilateral cooperation," Goldberg said in his remarks, according to the Korean Embassy in the U.S.

He emphasized that his time in Korea was the of his diplomatic career, as he experienced firsthand the traditions and culture of the country and cherished his friendship with South Korea.