Meet Kwon Byong-hyon, the Republic of Korea (ROK) ambassador to China from 1998 to 2000, whose story bridges diplomacy, crisis resilience, and eco-activism. A lifelong China enthusiast, Kwon spent 25 years studying in the country before becoming a key player in normalizing ROK-China relations—years before his ambassadorship even began! 🌍🤝
Crisis, Compassion, and Cross-Border Teamwork
When the 1998 IMF financial crisis hit the ROK, Kwon didn’t hesitate to seek help from China. With swift support from the Chinese government, the ROK weathered the storm. 💪 \"We are greatly indebted to the Chinese,\" Kwon later reflected, longing for the \"good old days\" of close ties.
Planting Seeds for a Shared Future
After retiring as ambassador, Kwon launched Future Forest, an NGO fighting desertification in China’s Kubuqi Desert. Through Sino-ROK collaboration, the project has planted over 30 million trees—creating a \"Green Great Wall\" that’s combatting sandstorms and securing a greener tomorrow. 🌳🏜️
Kwon’s journey proves that diplomacy isn’t just about treaties—it’s about building bridges that last lifetimes. 🌉✨
