Lee Jae-hoon, a volunteer doctor who performs operations in forests and fields in Africa, has received the South Korean foreign ministry’s first ever Lee Tae-seok Award. The award was set up by the ministry in August to honor the late Salesian Father John Lee Tae-seok, who died last year of cancer, and whose care for the poor in Tonj, Sudan has inspired many South Koreans. The award is given to recognize volunteers in sub-Saharan Africa where working conditions are considered especially difficult. Kim Sung-hwan, minister of foreign affairs and trade, handed the award and a cash prize of 1.5 million won (US$1,295) to Lee at a ceremony at the foreign ministry yesterday. Lee was recognized for providing medical care in Madagascar, and for his contribution to improving Korea’s image, the ministry said. “I am very happy following the example set by Fr Lee. I hope more doctors and nurses will volunteer for medical service in Africa,” he said at the award ceremony. Lee, who used to work at the Protestant-run Severance hospital in Seoul, first went to Africa in 2000 serving in in Rwanda. He has been working as a surgeon at a hospital in Madagascar since 2006. According to the ministry, Lee regularly visits remote areas in Madagascar where people lack medical facilities. There he has performed operations in fields and forests which has earned him the nickname ‘Bushman doctor.’ Related reports ‘Salesian priest’s life mirrors society goals’