Hanjin Group chairman Cho Yang-ho was recognized this week for his contributions toward promoting global athletic events, the company said Thursday.

Cho was given an appreciative plaque from Gianni Merlo, president of the International Sports Press Association, who lauded the Hanjin head for his efforts to help global sports events take off.

As the head of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics host committee, Cho was cited to be partly responsible for Korea’s successful bid to host the 2018 Games.

Based in Switzerland, AIPS, the world’s largest organization of global sports journalists, works closely with sports associations such as the IOC, FIFA and IAAF.

(jylee@heraldcorp.com)