Osstem Implant chief wins KATUSA award

Choi Kyoo-ok, chairman of Osstem Implant, one of the pioneers of the nation’s dental implant industry, has received an award commemorating KATUSA veterans for their contribution to the decades-long military alliance between Korea and the United States.

The KATUSA Veterans Association (KVA) held the 2021 KATUSA Awards Ceremony and Dinner at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, June 16.

To celebrate the event, ranking U.S. and Korean service personnel, including Eighth U.S. Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Bill Burleson, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Cobb, as well as KVA members attended.

“I will not forget the honor that was granted to me today, and cherish my KATUSA experience that I had 40 years ago, and I will try to do my best to be with our fellow ROKU.S. soldiers marching toward our proud future,” Choi said in his acceptance speech. The ROK refers to the Republic of Korea, the country’s official name.

Choi is a former KATUSA who served with the 2nd Engineer Group, 44th Battalion of the Eighth Army from 1982 to 1984. With his current position as a chairman of Osstem Implant, he is also the representative director of Twin Dental Clinic, vice chairman of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea and visiting professor of Clinical Dentistry at Korea University. In addition, he established its U.S. subsidiary, Hiossen, in 2006, and currently, there are one factory and 68 branch offices with almost 500 employees in the U.S.

“As a businessman, there is no doubt that the ROK-U.S. alliance is significantly meaningful as we are not only allied to continue the strong and close military relationship, but also we are partnered to work together in business including semi-conductors, batteries and energy among other things,” Choi said.

“I sincerely hope that our alliance that was forged in blood, will remain strong and even stronger in our future generations.”

The Eighth Army “Staff Sgt. Kim Sang-won” Distinguished Former KATUSA Award, established in 2015, has been presented annually to a KATUSA veteran who has distinguished himself in his career and for his contribution to Korean society and the alliance between Seoul and Washington.

Kim served as a KATUSA with the 17th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division,

during the Korean War and participated in more than 300 combat patrols, including the drive to the Amrok River in late 1950. For his fighting spirit and unflappable courage, Kim was later awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action during one of his numerous patrols.

The previous recipients include Lee Nak-yon, a former prime minister, Yoon Yoon-soo, Fila Korea chairman, and Kim Jong-wook, the KVA chairman emeritus. The award ensures an automatic induction into the KATUSA Hall of Fame.

Along with the award presentation to the KATUSA veteran, five current KATUSA soldiers were also recognized for their outstanding service.

KATUSA, which stands for the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army, is a military program initiated during the Korean War in August 1950 and some 43,660 KATUSA soldiers fought alongside American soldiers in major battles during the three-year conflict on the Korean Peninsula, leaving 10,238 dead or injured. Currently, 3,000 KATUSA soldiers work alongside more than 28,500 U.S. service members in Korea.

“Tonight’s ceremony is very special because both former and current KATUSAs, along with our fellow American brothers and sisters in service, are gathered as one team to celebrate the 70-year alliance in blood between our nations,” said KVA Chairman Kim Hae-sung.

“This great team has been maintained for over 70 years since 1950, and to this day KATUSAs and the U.S. troops demonstrate that same blood alliance.”

I sincerely hope that our alliance that was forged in blood, will remain strong and even stronger in our future generations.