By Honorary Reporter Preeti Rawat from India
Photos = Yanymee Guillen

Peruvian researcher Yanymee Guillen is an honorary citizen of Seoul, a distinction she received on Nov. 26 last year for her research, cultural exchange and community building in Korea. She was the first Peruvian woman in 23 years and one of only two Latinas to receive the distinction last year.

Peruvian researcher Yanymee Guillen (left) on Nov. 26, 2025, receives Seoul honorary citizenship at the conference hall of Seoul City Hall.

In an email interview from Dec. 6, 2025, to Jan. 13, she said, "I didn't expect such recognition. I've lived in Korea for over 10 years and worked hard on my studies and projects, but always with a social and community-driven purpose."

Born in Peru and majoring in nutrition with a focus on community and clinical practice at the National University of San Marcos, Guillen said her interest in Korea began while she was an undergraduate through K-pop and K-dramas. This eventually led her to the Global Korea Scholarship.

"What began as a hobby of learning languages and understanding cultures eventually led me here," she added.

After applying through the Korean Embassy in Lima, Guillen earned a scholarship to study in Korea, arriving in 2013 to pursue a master's in food science at Hallym University in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province. She later completed a Ph.D. in medicine at Seoul National University and now works as a postdoctoral cancer researcher.

"I like Korea very much," she said, "I feel safe here and am deeply grateful for all the opportunities. Korea was always my first choice. It was part of my plans for more than 10 years."

"Korea helped me grow beyond who I was, made me trust myself more and pushed me to unlock my potential. Of course, I've also had unpleasant moments and challenges, but if you do things with passion and heart, everything takes a better direction."

After moving to Seoul in 2018 to pursue a Ph.D., she did volunteer work like at schools to teach Spanish and share Peruvian culture, support programs of the Peruvian Embassy and form an academic association.

(Top) Meetings of researchers organized by the Peruvian-Korean Academic Association focus on boosting academic and professional networks for Peruvians in Korea. (Bottom) The Peruvian Society of Scientific Researchers in the Asia-Pacific seek to raise the visibility of female Peruvian scientists.

In 2021, she founded the Peruvian-Korean Academic Association, initially organizing research meetings for Peruvians in 2022 before expanding to the Latin American community in 2023. She has also conducted science diplomacy with an emphasis on science and technology policy, women's empowerment in STEM fields and leadership development.

Through the Peruvian Society of Scientific Researchers in Asia-Pacific, she seeks to raise the visibility of female Peruvian scientists via academic platforms such as webinars. She also participates in leadership programs for women in science.

Among Yanymee Guillen's honors are Peruvian Woman Abroad 2025 (left) from the Peruvian Embassy in Seoul and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru and Seoul honorary citizenship on Nov. 26, 2025.

In November last year, Guillen became the first Peruvian woman in 23 years and the first student from her country to earn Seoul honorary citizenship.

"I simply want to support and contribute to our community. I realized that I could do meaningful things, especially to help others. The ultimate goal has always been to integrate and contribute to social well-being and education," she said.

jcy0531@korea.kr

*This article was 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.