Renowned South Korean mountaineer Hong-gil Um (left), pictured here with World Taekwondo Federation President Chungwon Choue, has been named a goodwill ambassador of the WTF's Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation ©WTF

Renowned South Korean mountaineer Hong-gil Um has been named as a goodwill ambassador of the World Taekwondo Federation’s (WTF) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) at a high-profile event in Seoul.

WTF President Chungwon Choue bestowed the honour on Um during the Korea Fair Play Awards and Forum, held at the Korea Press Center.

The forum’s main event was a special lecture delivered by Um, the executive director of the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation, entitled "Challenge and Conquest".

Um has scaled the world’s 16 highest peaks, so is familiar with the Himalayas and Nepal, where the THF began a pilot project to assist earthquake victims in January.

His Foundation focuses on education and health development programmes in the South Asian nation and aims to build 16 schools in Nepal.

A total of 10 have been built to date and three more are under construction.

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation was launched in the Turkish city of Kilis in January
The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation was launched in the Turkish city of Kilis in January ©WTF

Earlier this month, the WTF signed a deal with the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees which will make it easier for thousands of refugees to enjoy taekwondo. 

The agreement will aid thousands of refugees across the world who will be given the chance to take up the combat sport and keep healthy.

The WTF, through the THF, will provide coaches and equipment with programmes already launched in two camps for Syrian refugees - in Za'atari in Jordan and the Turkish city of Kilis.

New projects are planned for refugees in Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana and Greece.