Maryland Governor's Wife Receives Government Medal for Promoting Korean Culture

Mrs. Yumi Hogan Awarded the Dongbaek Medal

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Yumi Hogan, a Korean-American and wife of Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, USA, received a medal from the Korean government on the 24th (local time) in recognition of her contributions to promoting Korean culture.

Yumi Hogan, a Korean-American and wife of Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, USA, is taking a photo after receiving the Dongbaek Medal, an order of merit from the Korean government, at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington DC on the 24th (local time). From left: Governor Larry Hogan, Mrs. Yumi Hogan, Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk to the United States (Provided by Maryland State Government, USA)
Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Maryland state government and foreign media, Mrs. Hogan received the Dongbaek Medal at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington DC on that day. Governor Hogan and Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk to the United States attended the event. The Dongbaek Medal is a third-class Order of Civil Merit awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in politics, economy, society, education, or academia.

Mrs. Hogan is known to have worked hard to promote Korean culture, including designating Taekwondo Day in Maryland, constructing Koreatown, and organizing memorial ceremonies for Korean War veterans.

Mrs. Hogan said, "I have made it my mission to bring together Korean Americans of various generations and to promote the value and beauty of Korean culture and heritage," adding, "This award celebrates not me, but the success of our community."

Ambassador Lee expressed his gratitude, saying, "Mrs. Hogan has played a pivotal role in promoting Korean culture in Maryland."

Additionally, Mrs. Hogan played a significant role this year in the urgent procurement of COVID-19 diagnostic kits from Korea to Maryland.

However, recently, these diagnostic kits became a subject of controversy in American political circles.

On the 23rd, U.S. President Donald Trump shared an article from the far-right online media Breitbart, criticizing, "This so-called Republican In Name Only (RINO) can never meet expectations," and added, "Hogan is as bad as the defective diagnostic kits bought at great expense."

But Governor Hogan rebutted, stating, "There have been baseless rumors and blatant false claims about the diagnostic kits," and emphasized, "The Korean-made diagnostic kits represent one of the greatest success stories in the fight against COVID-19."

Governor Hogan is a member of the U.S. Republican Party and is considered a potential candidate for the next presidential election. Some suggest that President Donald Trump's targeting of Governor Hogan was an attempt to check a potential presidential contender.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.