Expectations Grow for Strengthening Korea-US Relations Through Korea-US Battery Cooperation
Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG, received the 'Van Fleet Award' from the Korea Society, a U.S.-Korea friendship nonprofit organization, for his contributions to the development of Korea-U.S. relations alongside Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors (GM). This occasion is expected to further solidify the alliance between the two companies as they target the U.S. electric vehicle market.
The Korea Society awarded LG and GM the Van Fleet Award at its 2021 annual dinner held on the 19th (local time) at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, New York.
The Korea Society is a civilian organization established to strengthen Korea-U.S. relations, founded by General James Van Fleet, commander of the U.S. Eighth Army who participated in the Korean War, out of his deep affection for Korea. The Korea Society created this award in 1995 to honor General Van Fleet. The award is given annually to individuals or organizations that have contributed to Korea-U.S. relations.
Previous recipients include the late former President Kim Dae-jung, former U.S. President George W. Bush, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.
This year, amid the COVID-19 situation highlighting security and economic cooperation between Korea and the U.S., the joint award to leading companies from both countries exemplifies the strengthening of Korea-U.S. economic ties.
LG and GM have established the joint venture 'Ultium Cells' to mass-produce electric vehicle batteries. GM has chosen LG as its partner to achieve the goal of becoming the number one in the electric vehicle industry and has been strengthening their partnership.
Thomas Byrne, Chairman of the Korea Society, explained the reason for the award, stating, "LG and GM have contributed to strengthening Korea-U.S. relations through Ultium Cells." Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in his congratulatory remarks, emphasized the significance of the joint award by saying, "The relationship between LG and GM plays an important role in the electric vehicle supply chain."
Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group, and Mary Barra, CEO of GM, did not attend the dinner but shared their thoughts via video messages. Both expressed their expectations that the battery collaboration between the two companies will become a new milestone in Korea-U.S. relations.
Kim Jong-hyun, CEO of LG Energy Solution, represented Chairman Koo, who could not attend, to receive the award on his behalf.
This year’s event featured a keynote speech via video by Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also delivered a congratulatory speech via video.
Attendees included Mark Napier, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Christopher Hill, former U.S. Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks; Cho Hyun, Ambassador to the United Nations; former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun; former People Power Party member of the National Assembly Na Kyung-won; and Eugene, Chairman of Poongsan Corporation.
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