The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation celebrated the transformative leadership and social contributions of Korean laureates of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, sometimes dubbed the “Nobel Prize of Asia,” at a ceremony held in Seoul on Tuesday. Among those honored at the event, held under the theme “Celebrating Greatness of Spirit in South Korea,” was the widely revered Korean Dharma master and Buddhist activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님), who received the award in 2002.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual prize that recognizes and honors individuals in Asia and who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have selflessly worked for the betterment of society. The prize was established in 1957 by the trustees of the New York City-based Rockefeller Brothers Fund in cooperation with the government of the Philippines. Since its inception, the award has been granted to more than 300 remarkable individuals and organizations.
As part of the proceedings to celebrate the distinguished laureates of South Korea, and following introductory addresses by Tess De Vega, ambassador of the Philippines to South Korea, and former RMAF secretary and trustee Delia Albert, a series of speeches by selected awardees was heard on the impact and importance of the Ramon Magsaysay Award—both for themselves and for the communities that they have helped. The event concluded with closing thoughts from Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation president Susan Afan.
The foundation has recognized 20 people in South Korea since 1962 for their commitment and services to society. Of these 20, four laureates shared their thoughts on 22 April: 2019 awardee Kim Jong-ki, a visionary advocate who founded the Blue Tree Foundation to combat youth violence, becoming a leading figure in South Korea’s fight against school bullying; 2002 awardee Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, founder of Jungto Society, which works to address modern crises through the Buddhist teachings, provide education and healthcare for the poor, and promote reconciliation and provide humanitarian aid; 1989 awardee Kim Im-soon, a widow who has devoted her life to caring for orphans, founding the Koje-do Christian Hospital to nurturing abandoned and handicapped children; and 1962 awardee Chang Chun-ha (represented by his son Chang Ho-gwon), a champion of civic consciousness who founded Sasanyge magazine, fostering an intellectual awakening and civic engagement in post-occupation Korea.
▶️ Published by BDG on April 23, 2025
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