FKI Expresses Condolences Over the Passing of Edwin Feulner, Founder of the US Heritage Foundation

On August 12, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) expressed its deepest condolences over the passing of Dr. Edwin Feulner, the founder of the Heritage Foundation, a leading conservative think tank in the United States. Dr. Feulner passed away last month at the age of 83.

He was known as a prominent pro-Korea figure in the United States, maintaining broad exchanges with the late President Kim Dae-jung, Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seungyeon, and Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y Lee, among others. During his lifetime, he visited Korea more than 200 times and was known for his high regard for the strategic value of the Korea-US alliance and for Korea’s economic and political development.

Kim Seungyeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group, and Dr. Edwin Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation, are warmly greeting each other. Hanwha Group

Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y Lee is conversing with Edwin Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation, at the Asian Leadership Conference held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul in 2022. Photo by Yonhap News

Edwin Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation, is attending Asan Plenum 2019 held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, and is conversing with Mongjun Chung, chairman of the Asan Foundation. Photo by Yonhap News

In a letter sent to Dr. Feulner’s family, FKI Chairman Ryu Jin recalled, “Dr. Feulner maintained close communication with the FKI through meetings, interviews, and international events, always offering sincere advice on the Korean economy. In his keynote address at the 2022 Seoul Freedom Forum, he emphasized that the role of private companies and organizations like the FKI is more important than ever for generating and spreading ideas.”

The FKI stated, “At a time when bilateral trade relations are uncertain, Dr. Feulner’s insight and leadership?having defined the Korea-US relationship as an ‘alliance of values and institutions’?are needed more than ever. His absence leaves a significant void for Korea’s business community, and his advice and insights will be long remembered.”