Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and U.S. lead in the Six-Party Talks has been awarded the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Gwanghwa Medal from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) (h/t P). I have to admit that when I first read this news, I thought it was North Korea that had rewarded his efforts:

QUESTION: Mr. Ambassador, what assurances have you obtained from your meeting with Mr. Kim to form a complete declaration, and when do you think the next six-nation talks will be [inaudible]?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, first of all, let me just say it was a great honor just a few minutes ago to receive this decoration from the Korean Government for diplomatic service. I was really very touched, very honored, to receive this, which I really felt I received on behalf of the whole American diplomatic team that’s been working very closely with the ROK and working with the ROK on a variety of mutual diplomatic issues, including the problem of the DPRK’s nuclear ambitions. So I accepted this award with the understanding that there’s much work to be done, and that it, in a real sense, provides some extra incentive and vigor to try to get through and finish this job. [read the rest here]

South Korea presented the same award to the late Henry Hyde, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on International Relations, in 2006 (also see this).