Hanwha Chairman Kim Resumes People-to-People Contacts with U.S.
- Being credited with promoting understanding of Korea in America

Hanwha Business Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn has resumed his diplomatic activities in the United States in his capacity of the head of a Korean-U.S civilian friendship association after a hiatus.

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim, along with Korean Ambassador to the United States Han Seung-ju, met with Henry J. Hyde, a Democrat from Illinois., chairman of the House International Relations Committee at the parliamentary restaurant in Washington DC on Oct. 7 and discussed such issues as the curtailment of U.S. forces in Korea, North Korean nuclear standoff and possibility of inking a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. He met the U.S. representatives in his capacity of the chairman of the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council.

Later in the same day, Kim met with Democratic heavyweight congressmen, including Jim McDermott from Washington, took up such issues as the nature of Korean-U.S. ties and the U.S. presidential election's impact on Korean-U.S. relationships. One day earlier, Hanwha Chairman Kim had a working luncheon meeting with Ed Royce, a Republican representative from California to discuss ways of improving Korean-U.S. ties, group officials said.

The board meeting of the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council, originally scheduled for Oct. 4 was reset for Oct. 14 due to the IMF/World Bank Meeting held in Washington on Dec. 2-3. Kim is one of a few Korean business leaders who have contributed to promoting understanding of Korea in America through civilian exchange channels. He had suspended his outside activities as the prosecution launched a probe into political funds.

Kim has maintained close ties with many American celebrities, most of whom his deceased father, Kim Jong-hee had been acquainted with for a decade-long time, along with Poongsan Chairman Ryu Jin and Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee. The Hanwha chairman's long-time acquaintances in the United States include House of Representatives leader Dennis Hastert, U.S. Republican Party floor leader Tom Delay and U.S. Senate Democratic Party floor leader Tom Daschle.

Kim has headed the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council, founded by himself. The Hanwha chairman proposed a civilian channel body aimed to promoting Korea-U.S. relations, which later led to establishment of the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council, during a function organized by the U.S. Heritage Foundation in Washington DC where he toured as part of his participation in an inauguration ceremony for U.S. President George W. Bush in January 2001. Kim attended the inaugural ceremony at the invitation of Sen. Mitch McConnell, of the Republican Party.

He visited the United Sates as part of a 27-member business delegation who accompanied Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, on his first overseas trip to a foreign country since his inauguration in February 2003. The Korean business delegates had official and unofficial contacts with their American counterparts on the sidelines of President Roh? meetings with the American administration, Congress and business leaders in an effort to help Roh conduct the so-called sales diplomacy aimed at easing the jitters over the Korean economy among Americans stemming from North Korea? geopolitical risks like the North Korean nuclear issue.

The Korea-U.S. Exchange Council, established in June 22, 2001, is aimed at promoting understanding of Korea in the American political community through exchange of personnel, particularly American lawmakers and their aides to Korea. The council also organizes seminars on Korea-U.S. relations and issues a publication.

The Korea-U.S. Exchange Council arranged a visit to Korea for a 9-member delegation, including U.S. Republican Party floor leader Tom Delay, his wife and aides, the first event since its inauguration at the council's board of directors meeting in Seoul on June 22, 2001.

During the year 2002, the council organized four events, including former U.S. ambassador to Korea Richard Walker? 80th birthday party in Seoul on April 12, 2002. Kim paid a courtesy call on Sen. Tom Daschle on May 24, 2002 and discussed views of mutual concerns, including U.S. cooperation in Korea's holding of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan. Later in early June 2002, the House of Representatives passed a resolution wishing for Korea's successful hosting of the 2002 World Cup. He visited Hungary and Greece in capacity of the Korean government's trade and economic ambassador in August and September 2002.   nw