Baek Seonghyeon, Nonsan Mayor, Becomes First Local Government Head in Korea to Receive Mongolian Presidential Medal

Recognition for Local Government International Cooperation and Seasonal Worker Model Achievements
'Altyn Gadas Order' to Be Awarded on the 23rd

Baek Seonghyun, Mayor of Nonsan

Baek Seonghyun, Mayor of Nonsan in South Chungcheong Province, will receive a presidential medal from the Mongolian government. This marks the first time that a head of a local government in Korea has been awarded the Mongolian Presidential Medal.

According to coverage by The Asia Business Daily on January 16, Mayor Baek will be awarded the "Altyn Gadas Order" by the Mongolian government on January 23.

The Altyn Gadas Order is a national medal conferred by the President of Mongolia to individuals who have contributed to the nation's development and international cooperation, including foreign nationals.

This honor recognizes Mayor Baek’s efforts to institutionalize international exchanges between Nonsan and Mongolia at the local government level and to establish a practical model for employment and economic cooperation.

Since 2022, Mayor Baek has signed an official agreement with Nalaikh District in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to introduce foreign seasonal workers, thereby creating a legal and stable pathway for overseas employment.

During the operation of the seasonal worker program, Nonsan City has provided pre-departure training, dormitory accommodations, interpretation support, free health check-ups, and infectious disease prevention education, making significant efforts to protect the rights and interests of the workers.

Additionally, the city has signed economic cooperation agreements with the Mongolian University of Life Sciences and the Mongolian branch of the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA), establishing a foundation for smart agriculture technology exchange and collaboration in agriculture-related industries.

The Mongolian government has reportedly evaluated these efforts as not only contributing to the development of Mongolia’s human resources and revitalization of the local economy, but also as presenting a new model for international cooperation between local governments.