Hyosung honorary chairman awarded Korea-Japan Forum Award

Hyosung Honorary Chairman Cho Seok-rae [HYOSUNG]

Hyosung Honorary Chairman Cho Seok-rae, the father of incumbent chairman Cho Hyun-joon, was awarded the eighth Korea-Japan Forum Award for his contribution to improving bilateral ties and leading economic growth.

The award was delivered Thursday during the 31st Korea-Japan Forum in central Seoul, which is co-hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Japan Center for International Exchange and runs through Sept. 1.

"Cho contributed to the establishment of the Korea-Japan Forum in 1993, playing a key role in paving the way for both countries to improve ties," the Korea Foundation, which sits under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday.

The award is given annually to a person or group who contributed to deepening cooperation between Korea and Japan.

Cho has been participating in the Korea-Japan Forum every year since its establishment and was the one who suggested the idea of co-hosting the 2002 World Cup while the two countries were battling to be selected as the host country for the event.

Cho also has served as the chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association, the Korea-Japan Cooperation Foundation for Industry and Technology and the Federation of Korean Industries.

"We sincerely pay tribute to Cho for his large contribution to the development of the forum and the friendly cooperation between Korea and Japan for a half-century," the Korea Foundation added.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]