Kim Yeon-koung, the former captain of South Korea's national volleyball team and now the head of the KYK Foundation, has been awarded the IOC's ‘GEDI Champions Awards’ for the Asia region. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that contribute to the promotion of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion through sports. The recognition is especially notable as it highlights Kim's ongoing commitment to enhancing the participation of female athletes and creating a safe and fair sporting environment even after her retirement from professional athletics.

Following her retirement, Kim has established initiatives aimed at supporting youth athletes who face economic challenges, including a scholarship program and training assistance through her foundation. She has been instrumental in organizing nationwide middle school volleyball tournaments, providing equipment support for school teams, and operating youth clinics to expand opportunities for burgeoning athletes. Her focus on nurturing female athletes continues, evident through her role in a broadcasting program where she offers technical guidance and mentorship to retired or transitioning female players.

Additionally, Kim has been actively involved in various international sports roles, serving as an ambassador for the FIVB and promoting the importance of athlete education, fair competition, and safe sports environments at the World Anti-Doping Agency's global conferences. The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee noted that this award is a significant achievement that recognizes Kim's efforts in internationally promoting gender equality and inclusion values through sports.