Elder Statesman Joong-Sik Cho Donates $10,000

U.S. Cabinet Members, Governors, and Lawmakers to Participate

Korean Ministers and Regional Leaders to Attend

Joong-Sik Cho, a senior figure in the Atlanta Korean community and chairman of Hopewell International, has donated $10,000 to support the 23rd World Korean Business Convention (WKBC), which will be held from April 17 to 20 at the Gas South Convention Center in Atlanta.

At the donation ceremony held at the Gangnam restaurant in Doraville, Chairman Cho stated, “I have attended the WKBC every year, and I am proud that this year’s convention will be hosted in Atlanta. Korea is facing political and economic challenges, and I sincerely hope that this event will contribute to the recovery of the Korean economy. With that in mind, I am making this modest donation.”

Lee Kyung-Chul, president of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA, who received the donation, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We deeply appreciate the support from Chairman Cho, a respected elder in the Korean business community. In the remaining time, we will make thorough preparations to leave a strong impression on the Korean business leaders coming from 40 countries, as well as U.S. government officials, buyers, and general attendees.”

This year’s WKBC will feature participation from secretaries and directors of commerce and economic development from ten U.S. states, who will provide insights into government procurement opportunities. The opening ceremony will be attended by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and U.S. Small Business Administration Chief Kelly Loeffler, with North Carolina’s governor also coordinating his attendance. Additionally, major corporations such as Home Depot and Coca-Cola will send representatives for business consultations.

From Korea, organizations such as the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of SMEs, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, along with the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, will set up exhibition booths. Korean government officials, including Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Young-Joo, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Jung-Ae, as well as North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-Woo, North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-Hwan, and Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-Bok, will lead delegations of companies to the event.

Kang Shin-Beom, director of the event’s operations headquarters, stated, “We will provide services and amenities to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for the 3,000 Korean participants throughout the convention. Additionally, we are organizing engaging cultural programs such as K-pop performances and a ‘Masked Singer’ event, allowing general attendees to experience Korean products and businesses in an enjoyable setting.”

The event organizers are still in need of volunteers and interpreters and are calling on the Korean community for active participation.

*박요셉 기자

**Original Article:

한인사회 최대 잔치 WKBC 준비 순항 중 – 한국일보 애틀랜타