Asiana receives highest medal from Cambodia

Asiana Airlines CEO Yoon Young-doo, third from left, poses with Cambodian Ambassador to Korea Chan Ky Sim, second from left, and Cambodian lawmaker Chea Chamroeun, fourth from left, at the Asiana building in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, Monday, after receiving a medal from the Cambodian government. On behalf of the Cambodian royal family, the ambassador and the lawmaker presented the Royal Order of Sahametrei, Grand Cross, to Yoon. / Courtesy of Asiana Airlines

Asiana Airlines has received the Cambodian government’s highest medal for foreigners for its contribution to the Southeast Asian country, the airline said Monday.

The firm’s main contribution in Cambodia includes the establishment of solar street lamps and financial support for local schools there.

The Royal Order of Sahametrei, Grand Cross, was awarded to Asiana Airlines CEO Yoon Young-doo at the Asiana building in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, Monday, by Cambodian lawmaker Chea Chamroeun and Cambodian Ambassador to Korea Chan Ky Sim on behalf of the royal family.

The award is given to foreigners who spared no effort in supporting the Cambodian government out of humanitarian purposes.

The medal is the most prestigious out of the Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight in descending order of importance.

Asiana has financially supported Cambodia since 2010 when it began building 50 solar street lamps near Ankor Wat in Siem Reap.

It has also actively provided relief activities through a nongovernmental organization to Cambodia as well as financially supporting local schools there. <The Korea Times/Yun Suh-young>