Cho founded Hanjin in 1945, reportedly with a truck as his company’s single asset. He built Hanjin to become a conglomerate that now controls one of Asia’s largest airlines (Korean Air), a major shipping company (Hanjin Shipping), an industrial group (Hanjin Heavy Industries) and various land transport and financial activities.
Cho is survived by his wife, Jong Il Kim; children Yang Ho Cho (chairman of Korean Air), Nam Ho Cho (vice-chairman of Hanjin Heavy Industries), Soo Ho Cho (vice-chairman of Hanjin Shipping), and Jung Ho Cho (vice-chairman of Meritz Securities).
In the 1960s, Hanjin provided extensive transport services to the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Hanjin Shipping's development in the 1970s was closely linked to cooperative agreements with the former U.S.-flag carrier Sea-Land Service.
During his lifetime, Cho was vice-chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, chairman of Korea-France Economic Corporation Committee, chairman of Korea Defense Industry Association, and president of the Korean National Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Association.
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