Lee Jong-wook

Lee Jong-wook was a South Korean physician who served as the sixth Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2003 to 2006. He joined the WHO in 1983 and worked on various projects related to leprosy, tuberculosis, vaccines, immunization, and HIV,AIDS. He was the first South Korean to head a UN agency and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2004. He was known for his leadership and vision in tackling global health challenges and promoting the right to health for all. He launched the "3 by 5" initiative, which aimed to provide antiretroviral treatment to 3 million people living with HIV,AIDS by the end of 2005. He also spearheaded the global response to the avian influenza outbreak and advocated for increased funding and research for neglected diseases. He died unexpectedly in 2006 after undergoing emergency surgery for a blood clot on his brain. He was widely mourned and praised for his contributions to public health and humanity.