[2020 Women’s Forum] "Even If Afraid, Starting Becomes a Path... When Challenge Comes, Respond"

9th Mentor Group "Relationships Are As Important As Work"
"Treat People With Sincerity"
Turn Crises Into Turning Points... Bet When Challenges Come
"Get Used To Fear And Become Bold"

Director Eun-sook Lee of the National Cancer Center is speaking at the mentor inauguration ceremony of the '2020 Asia Women Leaders Forum' held on the 28th at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 28th, the 9th mentor group attending the '2020 Asia Women Leaders Forum' held at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, unanimously advised women to boldly face 'challenges' and 'opportunities' and to courageously overcome fear.

They emphasized that life presents multiple choices and opportunities, and when the moment of decision comes, it is sometimes necessary to boldly 'bet' and confidently respond to challenges. They also advised against feeling guilty between work and family or trying to become a 'superwoman,' urging instead to separate family and life, fully utilize one’s expertise and influence, and create value that contributes to society as a member of the community.

◆ When challenges come, respond boldly = Lee Eun-sook, Director of the National Cancer Center and head of the 9th mentor group, said, "I hope you take on challenges with a spirit of adventure and start working whenever an opportunity arises. Even if the path is not clear at first, once you 'start,' you can pioneer anything." Director Lee urged, "I want to emphasize the importance of not hesitating and responding boldly when challenges come."

Advice was also given to view work with a long-term perspective. Jin Eun-sun, Design Center Director (Executive Director) at Lotte Chilsung Beverage, said, "I hope you look at work with a broad and long-term perspective. Society is different from school, and moments of frustration or times when you must endure difficulties will inevitably come. It is most important to endure and overcome those moments well." Lee Hyun-ah, Head of AI Service Division at SK Telecom, said, "I hope you separate your life from your family’s life. When the two mix, guilt can often arise, but in the long run, achieving success in your work and contributing to society are important. Rather than sacrificing only for life as a 'mother,' I hope you live a life contributing to the community as a professional and expert."

On the 28th, at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, the mentors held an inauguration ceremony and took a commemorative photo at the '2020 Asia Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

◆ Be bold in the face of choices = A common piece of advice from 'life seniors' is not to fear choices. Yeo Ji-young, Group Leader of SK Telecom’s Open Collaboration Group, said, "I hope you accept the fear that comes before choices boldly. In life, you will continuously face moments of great fear. I hope you become accustomed to fear and face great challenges beyond it." Cho Hee-jin, Representative Lawyer at the law firm Dambak, said, "It is as important to deal with people sincerely in relationships as it is to focus on work. Difficult moments will inevitably come, and the people close to you are the ones who lift you up at those times. I hope you become a professional who pursues reputation management and sincerity in relationships as much as skill."

Advice was also given to bravely overcome crises in work and life and turn them into 'turning points.' Jung Ki-ok, Chairperson of LSC Food, said, "No matter what work you do, moments of crisis will come, but I hope you believe in the work you have chosen and have faith that you can overcome difficulties," adding, "I hope you believe in yourself and move forward in any field."

On the 28th, the "2020 Asia Women Leaders Forum" hosted by Asia Economy is being held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

◆ Have courage and pride = Park Ran, CEO of Dong-A TV, said, "I hope you have the 'courage' to actively jump into the fields you want to pursue," adding, "In the cultural industry, the creativity and spirit of challenge of young female leaders with fresh sensibilities are needed. I want to create Hallyu content together with young female talents who have a spirit of challenge in the original content field." Baek Mi-kyung, Head of Consumer Protection Group (Executive Director) at Hana Bank, said, "When I joined the company, there were not many women in society, but now there are so many smart and enterprising female juniors that I feel proud," urging, "I hope female juniors have confidence and become the best in their current fields."