Staff Reporter :
Kihak Sung, Chairman of Youngone Corporation, was granted honorary citizenship by the Bangladesh government on Wednesday in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the country’s readymade garments (RMG) and textile industries.
Sung, a key figure in the sector since the mid-1990s, received the prestigious award from Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus during the formal opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, held at a city hotel.
The honorary citizenship was part of the Excellence in Investment Award 2025, which also recognised Sung’s pioneering role in transforming Bangladesh into a global leader in the garment industry. In addition to the honorary citizenship, Sung was commended for his long-standing commitment to the nation’s economic development, particularly in the RMG sector.
The decision to confer honorary citizenship on Sung was initiated after a discussion at the BOAO Forum Annual Conference in Hainan, China, earlier this year. During the meeting, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a fellow Korean national, suggested to Chief Adviser Yunus that Bangladesh consider formally recognising Sung’s significant contributions to the country.
Ban highlighted Sung’s enduring affection for Bangladesh and his role in promoting the country to Korean business communities.
Responding promptly, Yunus directed his team to initiate the process of awarding honorary citizenship, which culminated in the recognition at the summit.
In an emotional address, Sung expressed his deep gratitude, saying he had always believed that Bangladesh would eventually grant him citizenship – though he never expected it would happen five years earlier than anticipated. Sung’s Youngone Corporation has created over 72,000 jobs at the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Chattogram, with all corporate earnings reinvested back into Bangladesh.
“I am truly honoured to receive honorary citizenship,” Sung said at the summit. “Bangladesh has been like a second home to me, and I am proud of the impact we have made together.”
Other awardees at the event included Fabric Lagbe Ltd (Innovation Category), Walton (Foreign Investment), bKash (Foreign Investment), and Square Pharmaceuticals (Local Company), each receiving the Excellence in Investment Award 2025. Chief Adviser Yunus personally presented the awards.
The event was attended by distinguished figures, including Baroness Rosie Winterton, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh; Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex; and Syed Nasim Manzur, Managing Director of Apex Footwear Ltd. These leaders provided valuable insights on the future of Bangladesh’s investment landscape.
Key members of the interim government, such as Finance Adviser Dr Salahuddin Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, were also present, underlining the government’s commitment to creating a favourable investment environment.
Sung’s career in the textile industry is intertwined with the growth of Youngone Corporation, which pioneered foreign direct investment in Bangladesh’s garment export sector.
Since its inception in 1980, Youngone became the first investor in the country’s garment industry, playing a pivotal role in the development of Bangladesh’s position as a global garment hub. His company’s success has inspired numerous Korean investors to follow suit, further boosting Bangladesh’s standing in the global textile market.
Under Sung’s leadership, Youngone Corporation has expanded globally, with operations in countries including the USA, Switzerland, Vietnam, China, India, Uzbekistan, San Salvador, and Ethiopia.
Sung’s impact on both the Korean and Bangladeshi textile industries has earned him numerous accolades, including the Order of Industrial Merit (Gold Tower), the highest class of distinction awarded by the President of Korea in 2008.
The honorary citizenship and award reflect Sung’s lasting influence on Bangladesh’s economic transformation, particularly in the textile and garment sectors, which have become pillars of the national economy.
