Lee Yeon-woo is a financial journalist at The Korea Times. Her wide range of reporting includes policies, macroeconomics, stock market, companies and even crypto. She is passionate about connecting the dots in Korean finance and making it easier for foreign nationals to understand. Based on her previous experience as a national reporter, she also has a keen interest in social issues within the sector, including gender equality and ESG. Your tips and insights are always appreciated. You can send them to yanu@koreatimes.co.kr.
Inter-Burgo chairman recognized for global business expansion efforts
Kwon Young-ho, honorary chairman of Inter-Burgo / Courtesy of Wando County
By Lee Yeon-woo
The Chang Pogo Global Foundation and Wando County said Wednesday that Kwon Young-ho, honorary chairman of Inter-Burgo, has been selected as the grand prize recipient of the 10th Changpogo-Hansang Award.
The award recognizes overseas Korean business leaders who have contributed to expanding Korea's global economic and cultural footprint and fostering a unified Korean economic community. To date, 55 recipients from 23 countries have been honored over the award's 10-year history.
Kwon relocated to Las Palmas, Spain, in 1971 for work. Starting in 1980 with a single decommissioned vessel on the verge of being scrapped, he eventually came to own a fleet of over 50 ships, including freezer carriers and trawlers.
Over a span of 20 years, he undertook deep-sea fishing operations in the Atlantic Ocean and off the coast of Southern Africa. He also invested 300 billion won in Korea to establish over 20 affiliate companies, including a hotel chain.
Leading a conglomerate with assets valued at over 10 trillion won ($7.1 million), he is also known for his charitable work. He donated 100 million yuan in Jilin Province, China, to establish a college, nursing home and hospital. Through a foundation he established in 1986, he has awarded a total of 15 billion won in scholarships to 19,500 students as of last year.
His efforts have garnered him numerous honors, including Korea's Dongbaek Medal of the Order of Civil Merit, the Order of Industrial Service Merit, the China Friendship Award and Spain’s Order of Civil Merit. In 2015, his life story was also featured in a national high school textbook in Korea.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Cheonghaejin Sports Center in Wando, South Jeolla Province, Sept. 28.