Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health 2026
The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) was established to commemorate the election of the late Dr LEE Jong-wook as the 6th Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and to honor his leadership and contributions to advancing global health. Celebrating his legacy remains one of the Foundation’s core missions.
Dr LEE, the first Korean Director-General in WHO’s history, championed the vision of “Health for All” and spearheaded pivotal initiatives such as reducing drug prices, expanding access to essential medicines, strengthening infectious disease preparedness, and enhancing the capacity of the global health workforce.
In the post-pandemic era, the Republic of Korea has been actively sharing its public health achievements and infectious disease response capacities with the international community, thereby contributing to efforts to reduce global health inequities.
As a nation that has transitioned from an aid recipient to a donor country within just half a century, Korea offers a unique model of development cooperation and is well positioned to build practical, mutually beneficial partnerships with developing countries.
The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Dr LEE’s passing, providing a timely opportunity to reflect on his remarkable legacy and contributions to global health while showcasing Korea’s healthcare policy achievements and leadership over the past two decades on the global stage.