

By Dong Sun-hwa







Thomas Taban Akot, a Southern Sudanese disciple of revered late Korean priest John Lee Tae-seok, recently passed the Korean medical license test to become the first person from the African country to hold a Korean doctor's license.







His passing of the Korean Medical Licensing Examination was announced on Friday.







Akot, 34, will start a one-year internship at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital beginning from March. After he finishes residency training, he will return to his destitute homeland to relay the love and care he received from Lee.







"I would like to thank those who helped me become a doctor in Korea," Akot said. "When I return to Tonj (his hometown in South Sudan), I would like to follow the path that Lee took."







Akot, who was Lee's assistant until 2009, has studied at Inje University's medical school on a full scholarship and residence, all organized by Lee.







The late priest, who was also a licensed doctor and Inje graduate, is often dubbed "the Schweitzer of Sudan" for his dedication and support for war-ravaged South Sudan communities. He died of cancer in January 2010.

