[Asia Exclusive] Industry Pioneer Since 1982: On-Site Leader in Construction Path

Park Jae-hong, President of the Korea Housing Construction Association?
Prioritizing Communication and Harmony Among Member Companies

Park Jae-hong, President of the Korea Housing Construction Association, is being interviewed on the 14th at the Korea Housing Construction Association in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Park Jae-hong, president of the Korea Housing Construction Association, describes himself as a "field-oriented leader." He explains that his decision to run for the association's presidency last December was driven by his desire to convey the vivid voices of the industry, including its difficulties, to the government as a housing construction professional who has walked the path of construction alone. Even before being elected president, he actively participated in association activities as an auditor and regional chairman.

Born in 1956 in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, Park first entered the construction industry in 1982. It was his first job. Since then, he gained experience at various sites including the Middle East. In 1994, he established a specialized construction company, and from 2002, he began focusing on housing projects. His first housing project was "Youngmu Yedam" in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. "Yedam" means "a house as beautiful as art, a home that brings happiness to life."

Park explained that the learning effect from the ups and downs of the construction industry, intertwined with two economic crises his company experienced after its founding, became the foundation for the stable growth of not only his company but also mid-sized construction firms. During the 1997 foreign exchange crisis and the 2008 financial crisis, many companies went bankrupt, but these events led to the spread of "sound management" throughout the construction industry.

Having been in the construction industry for 40 years, Park indicated his intention to retire from frontline work after this term as president. He said, "I started in the housing industry in my twenties, and now I am almost 70. I want to step down after a single three-year term as association president and spend time on personal matters."

During his term as president of the Housing Construction Association, Park cited "communication and harmony" as his greatest hope. To achieve this, he said, "I will make sure that all member companies can share their activities." He plans to strengthen activities through intranet and magazines and is also considering building a portal where regional sales information can be viewed at once. He also pledged to enhance promotional functions by expanding third-media capabilities such as establishing broadcasting facilities for YouTube in line with social changes.

He also expressed ambitions for overseas expansion. Park said, "If all association member companies enter overseas markets together and establish roots, we can gain a first-mover advantage in those markets," citing Mongolia's eco-friendly apartment project as a representative example. He added, "If linked with loan projects and if member companies pool resources, funding can be easily secured," and mentioned that they are reviewing various plans, including research in collaboration with the Housing Industry Research Institute.

◆ Biography

▲ Born 1956 in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do

▲ Master's and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Honam University

▲ CEO of Youngmu Construction since 2003 (current)

▲ Awarded the Silver Tower Industrial Medal in 2011

▲ Auditor of the Korea Housing Construction Association Central Committee in 2014

▲ Prime Minister's Commendation in 2015

▲ Chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch of the Korea Housing Construction Association in 2017