ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Busan University of Foreign Studies

Busan University of Foreign Studies awarded an honorary Doctorate in Political Science to Kao Kim Hourn, the new ASEAN Secretary-General, at 7 p.m. on the 16th at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Busan.

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn received this degree in recognition of his efforts to guarantee the human rights and freedoms of ASEAN citizens, improve their quality of life, and contribute to Korea-ASEAN cooperation.

Born in Cambodia, Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and served as president of the University of Cambodia. From 2013 to last year, he also served as Special Minister attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia for 10 years, and in January, he took office as the 15th ASEAN Secretary-General.

Participants of the graduation ceremony are taking a group commemorative photo.

The event was attended by Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Busan University of Foreign Studies President Jang Soon-heung, Ambassador Lee Jang-geun of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, Director Lee In-hyuk of the ASEAN Cultural Center, and various officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and figures in diplomacy and international cooperation, who offered their congratulations.

After the degree conferment ceremony, a dinner and discussion meeting with ASEAN experts from the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region was held, jointly hosted by the ASEAN Research Institute, the ASEAN Department, and the Indonesia Cooperation Institute of Busan University of Foreign Studies.

Busan University of Foreign Studies President Jang Soon-heung said, “Secretary-General Kao is working on the front lines of ASEAN diplomacy and international cooperation more than any previous secretary-general for the education and national development of Cambodia and the development of ASEAN. I sincerely congratulate him on becoming a proud alumnus of Busan University of Foreign Studies.”

Secretary-General Kao said, “Based on trust, friendship, understanding, and partnership between the peoples of Korea and ASEAN, I will utilize my knowledge, skills, and experience to further enhance Korea-ASEAN relations. I will also strive for human exchange with Busan University of Foreign Studies in education, research, and vocational training.”