Korean Doctor Couple Honoured For Lifesaving Work In Zimbabwe

The JW Lee Jong-ho Foundation has named Dr. Kang Dong-won and Dr. Jeon Jin-kyung, founders of the Africa Future Foundation in Zimbabwe, as recipients of the 2025 JW Sungcheon Award for their outstanding medical contributions in Africa.

The award, established in 2012 by the late honorary chairman of JW Pharmaceutical, recognises medical professionals who quietly dedicate themselves to improving healthcare.

Drs. Kang and Jeon, graduates of Yonsei University College of Medicine, moved to Zimbabwe in 2012 and founded the Africa Future Foundation, a locally registered NGO.

Despite Dr. Kang’s struggle with a rare autoimmune disease, the couple has worked tirelessly for over a decade to improve Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.

They have focused on sustainable development, education, and training, including serving as unpaid professors at the National University of Science and Technology’s Faculty of Medicine since 2013.

Together, the married couple has helped train over 4,000 healthcare workers and facilitated international medical exchanges to boost local capacity.

Dr. Jeon has also served as a pediatrician at Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital and the Budiriro Health Centre, offering free treatment to underprivileged children and personally funding diagnostics and treatments for the most vulnerable.

Their work has been instrumental in strengthening Zimbabwe’s medical infrastructure and improving access to care for thousands.

Lee Seong-nak, chairman of JW Sungcheon Award and honorary president of Gachon University, said:

Instead of merely providing medical services, the couple have focused on helping the local healthcare system become self-sufficient and on training future medical professionals.

Their dedication to reaching out to children and local residents on the brink of survival is more than just providing medical treatment.

It is an effort to restore access to healthcare and a symbol of the spirit of respect for life that JW Sungcheon Award pursues.

The JW Sungcheon Award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 24 September at the JW Pharmaceutical headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.

More: Korea Biomedical Review

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