Korean Air - Makati City, Philippines

Mr. Cho established the foundation of the Hanjin Group while doing business in Vietnam and went on to use his international business acumen to help revitalize the national economy.

Among the subsidiary companies founded by Choong Hoon Cho were Korean Air in 1969, Hanjin Shipping and Jungseok Enterprise in 1977. These served to help create a specialized, all-around logistics company over land, sea and air.

Through his work with Korean Air, he reaffirmed his promise of serving the national interest, opening the era of "the Wings of the People." Without his vision, creative management strategy and sense of duty for his country, Korean Air would not enjoy its place among the Top 10 airlines in the world today.

During his life, Mr. Cho chose to be a leader, forging his own path, not  

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copying what others were doing. His firm belief in "Patriotism through Transportation" was the foundation of the growth of the Hanjin Group. Today, his attention to and focus on his industry has allowed the companies he founded to expand the reach of the Korean people across the globe.

Mr. Cho understood that recognizing and developing talent was a cornerstone to company success and viewed it as the most meaningful purpose in life. Putting his beliefs into action, he took over Inha Institute in 1968 and established Jungseok Institute in 1979. To cultivate a pool of talented employees, he established the nation's first industrial college, Hanjin Industrial College (the current Jungseok College), providing an opportunity for higher education for those who could not previously afford to attend.

By putting national interest ahead of the company's income statement, the privatisation of Korean Air allowed for overseas route expansion. Navigating under difficult circumstances, Choong Hoon Cho contributed to the development of economic and foreign diplomacy by taking on a role as a civil diplomat. His achievements were rewarded with the highest Medal of Honor from Korea and recognition from other countries, including France, Belgium, Mongolia, the Netherlands and Germany.