Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, right, and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose for a picture after their luncheon at the Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Hanwha Group

By Kim Hyun-bin

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn met former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) Chairman Kim Jang-hwan in Seoul, Thursday, where they discussed Korea-U.S. relations, the company said, Friday.

The meeting took place as the former U.S. vice president was visiting Korea at the invitation of FEBC to give a lecture. Pence gave a lecture at the Chosun Hotel, Friday, under the theme "Strong Korea-U.S. alliance amid international turmoil," which was attended by around 300 people from various fields, including politics, economy, and education.

The luncheon lasted for two hours, with the Hanwha Group chairman and the former U.S. vice president sharing their views on the latest international situation and stressing that cooperation between the two countries is crucial.

He also pointed out that companies are having a difficult time due to international disputes and emphasized that global leaders need to come together to resolve issues facing the global economy.

FEBC Chairman Kim Jang-hwan, who is a pastor, emphasized that politics, economy, and religion should work together towards peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The luncheon was the first meeting between the Hanwha Group chairman and the former U.S. vice president, who joined the Heritage Foundation as a guest research fellow in February 2021.

Meanwhile, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts managing director Kim Dong-sun, who is the youngest son of the Hanwha Group chairman, also attended the luncheon meeting, along with Karen Sue Pence, wife of the former U.S. vice president.