SK's Chey Family Also Received the 'Van Fleet Award'... This Year, It Goes to Jensen Huang (Comprehensive)

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, Selected as This Year's Honoree
Recognized for Expanding Collaboration with Korean Innovators such as Samsung and SK

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, will receive this year's Van Fleet Award in recognition of his contributions to strengthening relations between Korea and the United States.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held at Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province on October 31st, 2025. He met with Taewon Chey, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and presented the AI supercomputer 'DGX Spark' as a gift. Photo by Jinhyung Kang.

The Korea Society, a non-profit organization promoting friendship between Korea and the United States, announced on the 13th (local time) that it has selected CEO Huang as the recipient of the 2026 Van Fleet Award.

The Korea Society explained that CEO Huang has demonstrated pioneering leadership in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, and has contributed to expanding collaborations with major Korean innovators such as Samsung Electronics and SK Group.

Abraham Kim, President of the Korea Society, stated that NVIDIA and Korean companies are together shaping the future of the global technology landscape, and that such cooperation will drive next-generation technological innovation and further strengthen Korea-U.S. partnership.

President Kim conveyed that CEO Huang feels greatly honored by the award and, recognizing the significance of his ties with Korea, has expressed his intention to attend the awards ceremony.

CEO Huang’s award is even more symbolic as it follows in the footsteps of past leaders of the Korean business community. The Van Fleet Award has been consistently presented to business figures who have elevated the stature of Korean industry. Notably, in 2017, Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, received the award following the late Chey Jong-hyun, former chairman (in 1998), setting the record as the first 'father and son duo' to be honored. Additionally, the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Chung Mong-koo, honorary chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, have also received the award, playing pivotal roles in promoting Korea-U.S. friendship.

The Van Fleet Award was established in 1995 in honor of General James Van Fleet, who served in the Korean War. After serving as the commander of the Eighth U.S. Army, General Van Fleet founded the Korea Society in 1957. The award is presented annually to individuals or organizations that have contributed to enhancing Korea-U.S. relations. Notable past recipients include former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, the late President Kim Dae-jung, and BTS.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.