November 25, 2024

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In this file photo, Chung Mong-joon (left), the honorary chairman of the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, shakes hands with Henry Kissinger during a dinner meeting at the Asan Yeong Bin Kwan in Seoul in 2012. (Asan Institute of Policy Studies)

Chung Mong-joon, the founder and honorary chairman of the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, will attend the late Henry Kissinger's memorial service, slated to be held in New York on Thursday, the South Korean think tank announced Sunday.

"Dr. Kissinger’s scholarly and intellectual achievements have influenced how people around the world view the United States and our world order," said Chung in a statement.

"We will always remember his wisdom and miss his insights as we continue to navigate a tumultuous world."

Chung, the sixth son of Chung Ju-yung, founder of South Korea's conglomerate Hyundai Group, is a seven-time lawmaker with an over 20-year political career as well as a billionaire who owns the biggest stake in shipbuilding giant HD Hyundai.

As a renowned diplomat credited with guiding Washington's foreign policies during the 1960s and '70s, Kissinger served as national security adviser and secretary of state under former US Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He was awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in negotiating the end of the Vietnam War.

"(Kissinger) also recognized that it is sometimes necessary to pursue bold diplomacy with adversaries to advance our national interests when the opportunity arises," said Chung.

"This was shown by his opening up of communist China, detente and arms control with the Soviet Union and brokering cease-fires in the Middle East."

Chung and Kissinger met over 10 times between 2008 and 2023 as the two shared insights and exchanged ideas on not only the Korean Peninsula but also pending global issues.

Chung earlier expressed his deep condolences in the wake of Kissinger's passing in November last year, saying that the former US secretary of state was a giant in global affairs as his insight and dedication have left an indelible mark on how we approach international peace and stability.

By Kan Hyeong-woo (hwkan@heraldcorp.com)