Welcome to Korean Air

At the center of this great commitment and perseverance stands Yang Ho Cho, chairman of the Hanjin Group, who took on the immense responsibility of chairman of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Bidding Committee.

Yang Ho Cho, chairman of the Hanjin Group, was born in Incheon in March, 1949. When he was a student at Kyungbock High School, he went to the U.S. to further his education and graduated from Cushing Academy. Chairman Cho was fully determined to join the army to serve his country during his college years, so he enlisted in the army and was assigned to the front-line, even fighting in the Vietnam War. He was discharged after completing his military service.

Despite his family’s wishes for him to continue his education in the U.S., he transferred to Inha University in South Korea and received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.

He joined Korean Air in 1974 and continued his academic career until he received an MBA from the University of Southern California in 1979. Later, his passion for education prompted him to earn a Doctoral Degree in Business Administration from Inha University in 1988.

In 1998, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for his outstanding achievements in business management. An Honorary Doctorate Degree is the highest form of recognition that is awarded to individuals who distinguished themselves in their fields based on actual performance. In fact, all Nobel Prize judges are honorary doctors. His honorary degrees and awards also include a Doctorate Degree awarded by Ukraine National Aviation University in 2006 and the highest honor of business administration awards given by the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration in 2009.

During the early part of his career with Korean Air, Chairman Cho worked his way up the company ladder by adding various departments to his overall responsibilities – including maintenance, computer systems, materials, sales and corporate planning through which he gained valuable experience that is essential in managing an airline business. After having served as Executive Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Korean Air in 1992 and Chairman of the Hanjin Group in 2003.

In addition to managing the subsidiaries in transportation logistics including Korean Air and Hanjin, he is recognized for his strong global leadership and diverse experience in the industry - he has been managing S-Oil jointly with Saudi Aramco since 2007 and was appointed as the Chairman of its Board of Directors in 2008.

Chairman Cho’s career cannot be summed up in brevity. His footprints are found beyond the scope of corporate management. In the past, he recognized that the field of education has the lowest investment rate, so he took part in operating JungSeok Academic Institute (the Foundation of Korean Aerospace University) and Inha Academic Institute (the Foundation of Inha University), which now serve as a cornerstone of science and engineering. Through these activities, he made considerable investment in human resource development for the younger generation who will lead the country’s growth and prosperity in the future, and helped them to prepare for innovation and reach their full potential. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he has taken the role of an educator by serving as a member of the USC Board of Trustees and actively engages himself in professor exchange programs and international academy-industry partnership projects.

He has no boundaries as a business man. He has served as the vice-chairman of The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and Korea Employers Federation (KEF). Also, he was elected chairman of Korean Defense Industry Association in 2004. As the chairman of KDIA, Chairman Cho was in charge of the strategies for development of Korea’s defense industries and their implementation. His contribution toward national brand promotion and sustainable economic growth is evident through these services.

It is also important to note that Chairman Cho has been crowned already as a civil diplomat representing South Korea. He was inducted into The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) ‘Hall of Fame’ in 2009 which honored only those who had taken a leading role in the progress of the air cargo industry. Since 1992, when he was named Chairman and CEO of the national airline of Korea, Chairman Cho has been representing the nation as a civil diplomat.

He also served 6 terms on the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since being elected in 1996, and he dedicated his efforts to advancing global private aviation and the national growth of South Korea by actively pursuing diplomatic relations. Additionally, he achieved the first rank in international air cargo industry for a record high of 6 consecutive times from 2004 to 2009, and he received the National Medal of Honor (Peony) for his achievements in the airline industry. In June, 2007, his tireless diplomatic efforts helped ensure Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes were included on the World Heritage List with anonymous agreement by 21 member countries of UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Zealand.

As one of the most influential leaders in the global airline industry, Chairman Cho recognized the trend of reorganization in the industry and played a leading role in founding SkyTeam alliance in response to Star Alliance and Oneworld in which United Airlines and American Airlines took a leading part. Currently, the SkyTeam alliance includes 14 member airlines, and his vision and expertise has been acknowledged as one of the best among the executive members. He continues in the leadership role for the growth of SkyTeam.

Chairman Cho has made significant contributions to diplomatic activities for overseas Korean residents and corporate exchange program as a civil diplomat. Since 1995, he held the title of honorary consulate-general to Ireland in South Korea and presented the models for mutual growth between the two countries. His unconditional efforts in a tree-planting campaign as part of anti-desertification in Mongolia and his provision of scholarship program in Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Cambodia made a strong impression on the world. In response to these efforts, he was awarded the title of Mongol’s Polaris, the highest honor granted to non-Mongolians by the Mongolian government in 2005.

Yet he never rested on his laurels. He helped form good relations between South Korea and Saudi Arabia as the chairman of the South Korea - Saudi Arabia Economic Cooperation Committee since 2008. In 2004, his contribution to economic collaboration and civil diplomatic activities between South Korea and France was recognized through "Commandeur" in France's "Légion d'honneur," which is the highest civilian honor awarded in France.

Chairman Cho’s diplomatic efforts have reached all areas around the world. He never hesitated when it came to spreading our culture and tradition and promoting a national image to the world. There are 6,912 languages worldwide and 192 languages used by UN member countries. However, the Louvre Museum, State Hermitage Museum and British Museum provided guide services in 3 languages only until Chairman Cho helped include the Korean language. This was considered one of the monumental achievements in the 21st century by the major press including the BBC.

In addition, Chairman Cho has kept a busy schedule when it comes to sports. He became chairman of the Korea Table Tennis Association in 2008, and he also took the place as the vice president of the Asia Table Tennis Union in 2009. Since then, he has led international programs to promote table tennis. In particular, he was appointed as the first Asian ambassador of the Peace and Sport Foundation in 2010 and achieved an international reputation by promoting world peace through sports. He also took on the responsibility as Chairman of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Bidding Committee in September, 2009, and he actively pursued this goal based on his extensive network with CEOs of global enterprises and leaders in sports. For two years, he attended 50 events to promote Pyeongchang as a host city of the Winter Olympics. He travelled more than 640,000 km, a distance equivalent of approximately 16 times around the globe. Chairman Cho’s contributions to South Korea and the world, including his unremitting efforts to bring the Winter Olympics to Pyeongchang, are indicative of a man who is not only devoted to his company but his country as well as the world.