Late Hyosung Group Honorary Chairman Cho Suck-rae Receives Korea-America Friendship Award; Chairman Cho Hyun-joon Accepts on His Behalf

[Financial News] Late Hyosung Group Honorary Chairman Cho Suck-rae received the 24th Korea-America Friendship Award for his contributions to Korea-U.S. economic cooperation and private-sector diplomacy. Cho worked to advance the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and secure South Korea’s entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Hyosung said on the 9th that Cho received the award from the Korea-America Association at the “Korea-America Friendship Award Ceremony and Korea-America Friendship Night,” held at Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul on the 6th. At the ceremony, his eldest son, Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, accepted the award on his behalf. The Korea-America Friendship Award has been presented by the Korea-America Association since 2002 to individuals who have contributed to promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
According to Hyosung, Cho served as the Korean-side chairman of the Korea-U.S. Business Council in 2000 and called for the need to conclude the KORUS FTA. He later took part in joint research by the business communities of the two countries and efforts to persuade government and congressional officials. After the agreement was reached in 2007, he visited the U.S. Congress to urge its ratification.
He also worked to secure South Korea’s entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. He sent a letter to the U.S. secretary of state requesting South Korea’s participation in the program and pushed for the establishment of a visa subcommittee within the Korea-U.S. Business Council. South Korea was designated as a participating country in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2008.
In addition to serving as the Korean-side chairman of the Korea-U.S. Business Council, Cho was president of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and international chairman of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), among other positions. For his contributions to Korea-U.S. economic cooperation, he received the KORUS FTA 10th Anniversary Award for Contributions and the Yeongsan Diplomat Award, among others.
Chairman Cho said, “I will keep my late father’s wishes close to my heart and do my utmost to ensure that the ROK-U.S. Alliance grows even stronger and continues through future generations.” 

[email protected] Kim Mi-hee Reporter