SM Group Chairman Woo Ohhyun Receives Appreciation Plaque from Korea Defense Veterans Association

Contribution to the Development of the Korea-U.S. Alliance

Woo Ohhyun, chairman of SM Group, received a plaque of appreciation from the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) in recognition of his contributions to Korea-U.S. friendship diplomacy and the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Woo Ohhyun, chairman of SM Group (right), is taking a commemorative photo after receiving a plaque of appreciation from Robert Abrams, chairman of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Military Veterans Association (former commander of the United Nations Command), at a special Korea-U.S. alliance meeting held on the 17th at The Westin Chosun Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. SM Group

On the 18th, SM Group announced that it held a "Special Korea-U.S. Alliance Meeting Inviting Woo Ohhyun, Chairman of SM Group" on the 17th at the Westin Chosun Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event was co-hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korea Defense Veterans Association.

More than 50 people attended the meeting, including Chairman Woo, Robert Abrams, chairman of the Korea Defense Veterans Association, Lim Ho-young, chairman of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (former deputy commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command), and Yu Myung-hwan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. At the event, Chairman Woo received a plaque of appreciation from the Korea Defense Veterans Association, which includes former commanders of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command such as Walter Sharp and Robert Abrams.

The plaque features 16 stars symbolizing the four four-star generals who served as commanders of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command (and United States Forces Korea), along with their handwritten signatures. This plaque is a symbol of respect, honor, and gratitude from past commanders, presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Chairman Woo has supported the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation with annual donations of 100 million won to strengthen security, which is fundamental to business activities and management. He has also encouraged both current and former military personnel, including those in the Korea Defense Veterans Association. In addition, he has actively participated in various initiatives run by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and its affiliated Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Association, such as the construction of memorials for U.S. soldiers who fought in the Korean War and supporting security-related education and research activities.

Chairman Woo stated, "Solid security, built on the foundation of the Korea-U.S. alliance, is the basis and foundation that allows Korean companies to expand their reach globally and grow their economic and industrial territories. As a businessperson, I once again express my respect for the efforts of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korea Defense Veterans Association. Moving forward, I will continue to identify and fulfill various social responsibilities that companies can undertake in the fields of national defense and security."

Meanwhile, in January, Chairman Woo visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., during a five-day, three-night trip to the United States for the inauguration of President Donald Trump's second term, where he laid a wreath and met with officials at the Korea Economic Institute (KEI), continuing his private-sector economic diplomacy efforts with the United States.