BTS Honored with US '2020 Van Fleet Award' for Contributions to Korea-US Relations Development

Group BTS

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Hee-eun Park] The group BTS will receive the '2020 Van Fleet Award.'

On the 7th (U.S. time), the Korea Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding and cooperation between Korea and the United States, announced this year’s Van Fleet Award recipients, including BTS, on its official website. According to the announcement, this year the award will be given to all U.S. veterans who participated in the Korean War, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and BTS.

The Van Fleet Award was established in 1992 by the Korea Society in honor of General James A. Van Fleet, who served as commander of the U.S. Eighth Army during the Korean War. The award is presented to individuals or organizations that have contributed to the understanding, cooperation, and friendship between Korea and the United States.

BTS was selected as a recipient of the Van Fleet Award in recognition of their global influence through music and messages, particularly their contribution to the development of Korea-U.S. relations.

The Korea Society plans to hold the '2020 Van Fleet Award' ceremony online on October 7th in response to the 'Untact' era caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, BTS will deliver their acceptance speech via video.

Meanwhile, notable past recipients of the Van Fleet Award include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (2000), former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (2009), former U.S. President George W. Bush (2017), former President Kim Dae-jung (2007), former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2004), Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee (2006), and Hyundai-Kia Motors Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo (2009).