📰 Kihak Sung: Biography, Awards, Legacy, and Giving

Kihak Sung, born in 1947 in Seoul, South Korea, is the chairman and CEO of Youngone Corporation. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in international economics. In 1974, he founded Youngone Corporation, focusing on manufacturing and exporting garments. citeturn0search0In 1980, Sung established Bangladesh's first foreign-owned apparel manufacturing plant in Chattogram, significantly contributing to the country's emergence as a global garment production hub. Youngone's factories in Dhaka and Chattogram produce jackets, trousers, sports shoes, and leather goods for international markets. The company employs approximately 73,000 people in Bangladesh and about 95,000 globally. citeturn0search3Sung played a pivotal role in developing the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Chattogram, emphasizing sustainable industrial growth. KEPZ has planted 2.7 million trees, created 33 water bodies to conserve 500 million gallons of rainwater, and established 43 state-of-the-art factories. The zone is also working on a 40 MW rooftop solar power project. citeturn0search14Beyond his contributions to Bangladesh, Sung has held prominent positions in global textile organizations, including serving as president of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation from 2018 to 2020. citeturn0search3In April 2025, in recognition of his significant contributions to Bangladesh's economy and the readymade garments sector, Kihak Sung was awarded honorary citizenship of Bangladesh. citeturn0search3