President Moon will receive Global Citizen Award

President Moon Jae-in will receive the Global Citizen Award from the Atlantic Council, an American think tank on international affairs, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.

The annual award, established in 2010, is given to individuals who contribute to global citizenship and the development of democracy, it said.

The Atlantic Council said on its website that Moon would receive the award for “his life-long dedication to the advocacy of human rights and democracy through his achievements as a human rights lawyer, and his efforts to defuse tensions with North Korea and contribute to regional stability.”

Moon will attend the award ceremony next week during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

“I believe this award is not given to me as an individual but to all Koreans who protected democracy through the candlelit revolution,” the President was quoted as saying by a Cheong Wa Dae official, referring to protests that ousted former President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal. “I thank the people and attribute the honor to them.”

Along with Moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also receive an award for his leadership for universal freedom and open trade, as well as Chinese pianist Lang Lang for his artistic career and philanthropic work to promote musical education for children.