Director Im Dong-kwon of Munsan Jeil Eye Clinic Receives Grand Prize at Boryeong Medical Volunteer Awards

Director Lim Dong-kwon of Munsan Jeil Eye Clinic, who is volunteering overseas. The Korean Medical Association, Boryung Holdings, and Boryung Pharmaceutical announced on the 21st that Director Lim has been selected as the grand prize winner of the 38th Boryung Medical Volunteer Award. (Photo by Boryung Pharmaceutical)

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The Korean Medical Association, Boryung Holdings, and Boryung Pharmaceutical held the 38th Boryung Medical Volunteer Award ceremony on the 21st and announced that Director Im Dong-gwon of Munsan Jeil Eye Clinic was selected as the grand prize winner on the 21st. The award ceremony was held at the headquarters of Boryung Pharmaceutical on the same day.

Director Im was recognized for his dedication to medical volunteer work both domestically and internationally over 22 years, earning him the grand prize. He began volunteering at a medical clinic for foreign workers in 2000 by chance and has since treated over 40,000 patients in 12 countries and performed 57 surgeries, dedicating himself to volunteer activities.

Director Im also conducted cataract surgeries and ophthalmology education for 50 patients in North Korea. Even recently, when overseas volunteer activities became difficult due to the spread of COVID-19, he has actively continued volunteering in Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, by making eyeglasses for vision correction for children from grandparent-headed and low-income families and providing scholarships.

Additionally, the main award recipients include Director Lee Jong-gyu of Uljin Yonsei Family Medicine Clinic, the Africa Future Foundation, and Director Seo Jeong-seong of Eye Eye Clinic.

Director Lee has carried out medical volunteer work and educational support projects in Myanmar, Afghan refugee camps, Mongolia, Nepal, and other locations. The Africa Future Foundation has been conducting medical environment improvement projects and educational activities in 16 African countries, and Director Seo Jeong-seong has volunteered in overseas disaster areas and established the ‘Cambodia Gwangju Clinic,’ presenting a model exemplary of official development assistance.

The Boryung Medical Volunteer Award was established in 1985 by the Korean Medical Association and Boryung Pharmaceutical to discover the ‘Schweizers of this land’ who dedicate themselves to providing medical care to neighbors under difficult conditions in medically underserved areas at home and abroad. Now in its 38th year, the Boryung Medical Volunteer Award has produced 171 recipients who have practiced medical benevolence, including the late Father Lee Tae-seok and Sister Yulusia, known as the ‘Mother of Kenya.’