By Honorary Reporter Jubby Kumar from India

Women's Day on March 8 is the perfect occasion to reflect on the contributions and achievements of women around the world, including Korea. The following are four of my picks from the Land of the Morning Calm.

Kim Yuna

Also dubbed "Queen Yuna" or "Queen on Ice," Kim Yuna is a figure skating icon whose unprecedented achievements in her sport raised her country's global image. She won the gold medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics, silver in the 2014 edition, world titles in 2009 and 2013, and Grand Prixes honors in the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2009-10 seasons. She is considered one of the most influential athletes in Korean sports history and made Time's list of the world's 100 most influential people in 2010.

Kim Yuna in 2014 won Korea's first Olympic gold medal in figure skating. (Korea.net DB)

Susan Ahn Cuddy

This recipient of the American Courage Award and Woman of the Year 2003 from the U.S. state of California is one of the most inspiring women from Korea. After immigrating to America with her family, she not only taught leadership skills to Korean immigrants there but also joined the military with her brothers. Cuddy became the first female gunnery officer in the U.S. military and the first Asian American woman to work in American naval intelligence and as a code breaker.

Susan Ahn Cuddy, the first ethnic Korean woman to serve in the U.S. military and the first female Navy gunnery officer, poses for a photo with her two brothers. (Wikimedia Commons)

Yi So-yeon

As Korea's first astronaut, Yi beat out 36,000 applicants from the nation and went into space in 2008 for an 11-day mission at the International Space Station. She rode the spaceship Soyuz-TMA 11 on April 8 that year and returned to Earth 11 days later after completing 18 experiments. After completing research at Korea Aerospace Research Institute, she became Korea's space ambassador along with fellow astronaut Ko San.

Yi So-yeon was the first Korean to fly in space in April 2008. (Wikimedia Commons)

Dr. Jeong Eun-Kyeong

This medical professional was the first commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. An expert on infectious disease and public health, she played a key role in guiding Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in early 2020. She conducted drills and created a manual on response procedures for unidentified mass infections and received commendation from then-President Moon Jae-in for her dedication and efforts during her tenure (2020 - 2022). 

Jeong Eun-kyeong was the first commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Wikimedia Commons)

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.