Choi Yoon-ho, President of Samsung SDI, Receives 'Gold Tower Industrial Medal' at Commerce and Industry Day Ceremony

'49th Commerce Day Ceremony' to be Held on the 29th
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Chairman Choi Tae-won of the Korea Chamber of Commerce, Minister Moon Seung-wook of Industry Attend

Choi Yoon-ho, President and CEO of Samsung SDI. (Photo by Samsung SDI)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Yoonho Choi, CEO of Samsung SDI, received the Gold Tower Industrial Medal at the 49th Commerce and Industry Day commemorative event. This award also reflected his achievements while working at Samsung Electronics before becoming the CEO of Samsung SDI.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on the afternoon of the 29th that it held the event at the Chamber of Commerce building in Jung-gu, Seoul, awarding industrial medals, industrial decorations, presidential citations, and prime ministerial citations to 221 businesspeople and workers. Commerce and Industry Day is a statutory commemorative day established in 1964, with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry holding annual ceremonies. About 80 people attended the ceremony, including Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook.

This year’s Gold Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to those who realized technological independence in materials, parts, and equipment, developed world-class products, and practiced ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management.

First, CEO Choi was recognized for leading the smartphone sector to maintain the world’s number one position for 10 years despite the global economic downturn caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and for guiding the global TV market to the top spot for 15 consecutive years. He was highly praised for contributing to quality job creation through the establishment of the Samsung Software Academy For Youth (SSAFY) and for proactively responding to future environmental changes by establishing a robot center and an integrated big data center. Leading Samsung Electronics’ 'Sustainable Management Council,' he spearheaded the creation of a win-win growth ecosystem and ESG management, including support funds for small and medium-sized partner companies struggling due to COVID-19. After moving to Samsung SDI as CEO at the end of last year, he has emphasized 'superior technology and quality competitiveness' in future growth businesses such as batteries and electronic materials.

Chairman Ko Seok-tae of KC and CEO Lee Sang-yul of Cheonbo also received the Gold Tower Medal. Chairman Ko achieved 100% localization of semiconductor equipment and materials, directly employed more than 1,600 people annually, and increased employment for over 10,000 partner companies. He was recognized as a role model for ESG management in mid-sized companies through operating low-carbon green workplaces and reducing water usage by recycling concentrated water. CEO Lee was praised for domestic localization of display materials, which Korea had fully imported, achieving an overwhelming number one market share globally and enhancing national industrial competitiveness. He was also noted for a high level of ESG management, including granting free stock dividends to employees who have been with the company since its founding.

The Silver Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Hwang Gak-gyu, Senior Advisor at Lotte Holdings, and Kim Gyeon, Vice President of Kia. Senior Advisor Hwang led the group’s various businesses for 42 years, driving innovation, successfully completing large-scale mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and expanding new investments, contributing to sustainable growth in petrochemicals, food, hotels and distribution, and information and communications, as well as pioneering overseas new markets. Vice President Kim realized Kia Motors’ new growth strategy, increasing sales and enhancing brand value. He led the establishment of seven overseas factories, pioneering new markets and building a stable production base. He accelerated ESG management by establishing social contribution and sustainable management systems.

The Bronze Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Yang Won-jun, Vice President of POSCO, and Byun Dae-su, CEO of Taeyoung Industry. The Iron Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Shin Dong-guk, Chairman of Hanyang Precision, and the Stone Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Park Ki-chul, CEO of Samyoung Ink Paint Manufacturing, and Choi Ui-yeol, CEO of Bodytech Med. Industrial Decorations were awarded to six people: Koo Ja-woong, Chairman of Postech Electronics; Lee Kang-hoon, Vice President of Korea Glass Industry; Yoon Soon-ja, Chairwoman of Inhwa Precision; Noh Hyang-seon, CEO of Nowcos; Shin Jae-beom, Vice President of Daehan Shipbuilding; and Jang Bok-sang, CEO of CJ Vietnam. Sixteen people, including Chairman Kim Gyu-sik of Dintec, received the Presidential Citation, and sixteen people, including CEO Hwang Jong-seok of Gangwon Steel, received the Prime Minister’s Citation.