Fila chief named winner of Van Fleet Award for contribution in Korea-U.S. ties

Industry

Published: 01 May. 2024, 17:23 Updated: 01 May. 2024, 18:19

Fila chief named winner of Van Fleet Award for contribution in Korea-U.S. ties

Yoon Yoon-soo, chairman of Fila Holdings and Acushnet Holdings [FILA HOLDINGS]

Fila Holdings Chairman Yoon Yoon-soo has been named as the recipient of this year's General James A. Van Fleet Award for his contribution to improving Korea-U.S. bilateral ties.

The New York-based Korea Society praised Yoon's "remarkable role in founding the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korea Defense Veterans Association, both of which honor the sacrifice of Korean War veterans, and the millions of American troops stationed in Korea."

The award is named after Korean War commander James A. Van Fleet, who served as the first president of the Korea Society.

Yoon was also recognized for his service to the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army in the late 1990s, providing support to the Military Officers Association of America, the largest private military organization in the United States.

In 2022, he also funded the creation of a wall of remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Since 2014, Yoon has served as a board member of the Korea Society, which strives to promote "greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea," according to the group's website.

Previous awardees include former Korean President Kim Dae-jung, former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and SK Chairman Chey Tae-won.

The award will be bestowed at the Korea Society's 2024 Annual Dinner at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Sept. 30.

Originally an Italian company, Fila Korea bought its Italian headquarters in 2007. In 2011, the company also purchased a majority stake in Acushnet, which owns popular golf brands such as Titleist and Footjoy.

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