"The United States is Our Most Steadfast Partner"
Expanding Cooperation in Batteries and Energy
Jang Inhwa, Chairman of POSCO Group, has been awarded the 2025 General James A. Van Fleet Award in recognition of his contributions to enhancing economic cooperation and friendship between Korea and the United States.
POSCO Group announced on the 24th that Chairman Jang was selected as this year's recipient of the Van Fleet Award at The Korea Society's annual dinner held at the Plaza Hotel in New York, United States, on the 23rd (local time). Kathleen Stephens, Chair of The Korea Society, stated, "Chairman Jang was selected as this year's recipient in high recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening ties between the two countries by supporting the rebuilding of the U.S. industrial ecosystem and establishing a sustainable supply chain."
The Van Fleet Award was established in 1992 to honor General Van Fleet, who led the modernization of the Korean military during the Korean War. It is presented to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to mutual understanding, cooperation, and friendship between Korea and the United States. Past recipients include former U.S. President George W. Bush, former President Kim Daejung, SK Group Chairman Chey Taewon, and BTS. This year, Chairman Jang shares the award with the Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK).
In his acceptance speech, Chairman Jang said, "It is an unparalleled honor and holds special meaning to receive the Van Fleet Award from The Korea Society, which has elevated the value of the Korea-U.S. alliance. For POSCO Group, the United States has been our most steadfast partner, sharing the beginning of our growth and advancement." He continued, "Beyond supplying core materials for various industries such as automobiles, shipbuilding, and energy, we will open a new renaissance for American manufacturing through future-oriented innovation partnerships, such as realizing AI-based Intelligent Factories. As a life-long partner of the United States, we will continue our journey toward the future together."
Since Chairman Jang took office, POSCO Group has been expanding its investments in the United States across key businesses such as steel, secondary battery materials, and energy. In April of this year, the group signed a joint venture MOU with Hyundai Motor Group to build a steel plant in Louisiana. In Utah, POSCO Group is conducting a demonstration project for lithium direct extraction (DLE) technology, marking the first such initiative by a Korean company in the United States. The group has also signed long-term contracts to purchase North American LNG, further strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries.
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