FKI chief sponsors 117-year-old congressional charity baseball game in Washington

The Federation of Korean Industries sponsored the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park in Washington on Wednesday.

The Congressional Baseball Game, which dates to 1909, is a 117-year-old tradition in which sitting senators and House members take the field as players representing their respective parties. The FKI participated to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and to more effectively highlight Korean companies' economic contributions to the United States, conducting an active outreach campaign targeting members of both chambers.

FKI Chairman Ryu Jin delivered the ceremonial game-start declaration on behalf of Korea's business community, conveying a birthday message for America's 250th anniversary before 65 bipartisan player-lawmakers and spectators.

A one-minute video was also screened, showing how the spirit of freedom, democracy and free enterprise that the United States planted in Korea 75 years ago has become the foundation of Korea's global success story — and highlighting Korean companies' economic contributions within the United States.

After the game, Ryu hosted a reception at the stadium for local lawmakers and opinion leaders, continuing his pitch for the Korean economy and Korean companies. The gathering drew more than 70 attendees, including congressional figures and officials from the Treasury, Energy and Defense departments.

Joining Ryu at the event were senior executives from major Korean investors in the United States, including Samsung Electronics, SK Corp, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Corp, POSCO, HD Hyundai, LS and KBI Group.

The delegation also attended the official CBG reception the day before the game, meeting with senators and House members competing as players and coaches. They focused particularly on building ties with lawmakers from key districts — Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Michigan — where Korean companies have concentrated large-scale manufacturing facilities, working to strengthen a bipartisan private-sector diplomacy channel.

Jeong Cheol, the FKI's chief research officer and president of the Korea Economic Research Institute, said the CBG participation "carries special significance given that this is the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding," adding that it was "very timely in terms of creating a favorable atmosphere in the US" as discussions on cooperation projects between the two countries raised during last year's summit talks move forward.

"The networks with American political and business circles strengthened through this new initiative are expected to serve as a lubricant — easing various institutional and policy obstacles and facilitating smooth project execution — as Korean companies' investment projects in the United States move into full swing," he added.