Ben C. Lim

In this Korean name, the family name is Im.

Limb Ben C. (Korean: 임병직; October 26, 1893 – September 21, 1976) was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea and President Syngman Rhee's personal secretary.

Lim Ben C. 임병직
2nd Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office December 28, 1948 – April 15, 1951
President	Syngman Rhee
Preceded by	Jang Taek-sang
Succeeded by	Byun Young-tae
Personal details
Born	(1893-10-26)October 26, 1893 Buyeo County, Chungcheong Province, Joseon
Died	September 21, 1976(1976-09-21) (aged 82) New York City, United States
Nationality	Korean
Political party	None
Alma mater	Dickinson University
Korean name
Hangul	임병직
Revised Romanization	Im Byeongjik
McCune–Reischauer	Im Pyŏngjik

Biography

Korean representatives at the U.N. General Assembly in 1954. From left, Yang Yoo-chan, Han Pyo-wook, Byun Yeong-tae, and Lim Ben C.

Lim worked as President Rhee's personal secretary in the United States. Rhee appointed Lim to fight for Korean independence.

As Rhee's secretary in the U.S. committee, he delivered Rhee's personal letter to the minister of the Japanese embassy, demanding that he grant him approval for Korea's independence. In 1941, when the Korean Committee in the U.S. was organized, he was elected as one of the executive committee members. After Korea's liberation, Rhee returned to Korea, but Im was appointed the president of the U.S. committee. Upon returning to Korea, he became the second South Korean foreign minister. He also worked as the Korean ambassador to the United Nations.

Order of merit

In 1976, the South Korean government posthumously honored him with the Order of Merit for National Foundation for his outstanding service and contribution to the Korean independence movement.