Kim Sookhee, former president of the Korean branch of ASSITEJ (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People), on May 28 speaks after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ASSITEJ World Congress 2024 in Havana, Cuba. (Yonhap News)

By Wu Jinhua

Kim Sookhee, former president of the Korean branch of ASSITEJ (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People), has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the non-governmental organization.

Launched in 1965 in France, ASSITEJ runs programs worldwide including exchanges to develop performing arts for children and youth with 87 member countries.

ASSITEJ Korea on May 30 said Kim received the honor at the organization's World Congress 2024 two days earlier in Havana, Cuba.

Kim is the first Korean in 19 years to earn an honor from ASSITEJ since artistic director Kim Woo OK in 2005 received the International Award for Artistic Excellence, the top honor from the body's global headquarters.

In 2017, the organization launched the lifetime award. The honor is given every three years at the ASSITEJ World Congress after thorough screening of the candidates' domestic and global influence in children's and youth theater.

In 1997, Kim launched an organization for specialized culture and arts education for children and youth. Her contributions over nearly three decades to the development of performing arts for children and youth earned her praise from ASSITEJ, ultimately earning her the award.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon sent a message congratulating Kim on her award.

"This award is a major achievement announced on the global stage that even the Republic of Korea has a planner of children and youth theater performances who has devoted her life to brilliant accomplishments," Minister Yu said. "I express my sincere respect to Kim Sookhee for her passion and devotion to achieving these outcomes."

jane0614@korea.kr