Kumho Asiana Chief Joins French Legion of Honor

Published on 2016/07/03 | Source

Kumho Asiana Group chairman Park Sam-koo (right) shakes hands with French Ambassador Fabien Penone at the diplomat's residence in Seoul on Monday. /Courtesy of Kumho Asiana Group

Kumho Asiana Group chairman Park Sam-koo on Monday accepted his membership in the French Legion of Honor, a rare award for a Korean.

Park was given the decoration at French Ambassador Fabien Penone's residence in Seoul for his contribution to bilateral exchanges and the aviation industry.

The legion d'honneur is the highest French decoration for military and civil merit and was established in 1802 by Napoleon.

Other Korean members are POSCO founder Park Tae-joon, the late Hanjin Group founder Cho Joong-hoon, Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee, Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin and Hanjin Group chairman Cho Yang-ho.

Penone expressed his respect for Park's efforts in boosting bilateral relations. Park said it was a "tremendous honor" to receive the accolade this year, which marks the 130th anniversary of bilateral ties.

Asiana Airlines opened an Incheon-Paris route in 2008 after decades of domination by rival Korean Air. Asiana is also a customer of Airbus, the European aerospace firm.

The carrier has already bought an Airbus A380 superjumbo jet and plans to buy five more this year.