Huh Chang-soo, Former Chairman of FKI, "Transcending Limits is the Driving Force of Growth"
Han Duck-soo Attends FKI Summer Forum for the First Time as Current Prime Minister
Huh Chang-soo, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, is speaking at the National Launch Ceremony for the Nationwide Expansion of Entrepreneurial Spirit in Korea held at the FKI Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th. (Photo by Yonhap News)
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced on the 20th that it will hold the '2022 FKI CEO Jeju Summer Forum' at Jeju Lotte Hotel. The forum, held over four days starting today, was attended by about 500 business leaders. This is the first time in three years since 2019 that an offline summer forum is being held. The theme of the forum is "A New Future, Innovation Beyond Limits: Transcendence."
In his opening remarks, FKI Chairman Huh Chang-soo explained the forum’s theme, saying, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has brought our daily lives and business activities to their limits," and added, "Transcendence beyond these limits is the driving force of innovation and growth." Chairman Huh said, "While preparing for the forum, we focused on experiences overcoming crises and challenges and innovations for a new future," and "The FKI will also deeply consider what innovations are necessary to adapt to the changing environment."
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the first sitting prime minister to attend the FKI Summer Forum, returned to the forum after 17 years. In his congratulatory speech, Prime Minister Han stated, "In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where technological innovation is rapidly occurring, government-led growth has its limits," and added, "Growth, investment, and job creation should be entrusted to companies, while the government will focus on creating conditions for the private sector to innovate."
Prime Minister Han emphasized, "Many business leaders I have met have complained about the lack of communication with the government," and said, "This administration will actively listen to and review business opinions and faithfully reflect them in policies." He also added, "I ask the FKI to gather business leaders’ opinions and actively propose and cooperate in policy formulation and implementation."
A lecture providing insights into the era of great transformation after COVID-19 was also held. Lee Kwang-hyung, President of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), delivered a keynote speech titled "Korea in the Era of Great Transformation," identifying infectious diseases, demographic changes, and artificial intelligence (AI) as the three main driving forces of this transformation. He diagnosed that the world has entered an intense competition for technological supremacy.
President Lee explained, "The U.S. pressure on Huawei, the Korea-Japan trade dispute, and the Australia-China trade dispute are evidence of intensifying global competition for technological supremacy," and added, "The global paradigm is shifting from 'geopolitics' to technology-centered 'technopolitics'." He emphasized, "Korea, which had been at a disadvantage among major powers such as the U.S., Japan, China, and Russia from a geopolitical perspective, now has the opportunity to lead the international stage by securing strategic technologies in the technopolitics era." The 11 essential national strategic technologies include AI, advanced bio, semiconductors and displays, secondary batteries, and nuclear power.
President Lee analyzed that since Korea has manufacturing capabilities in semiconductors and batteries, expanding the alliance with the U.S. from a traditional military alliance to economic and technological fields could secure a favorable position for discovering new growth engines. In addition to developing national strategic technologies, he proposed resolving gaps and conflicts, digitalizing traditional industries, responding to population decline, and preparing for the AI era as future strategies for Korea in the era of great transformation.
From the second day of the forum, various business leaders will give lectures and participate in special talks. Lecturers include Cho Woong-ki, Vice Chairman of Mirae Asset Securities; Kim Kyung-hoon, CEO of Google Korea; Lee Seok-woo, CEO of Dunamu; and Lee Moon-joo, CEO of Cookat, among many others. Notably, Kwon Oh-hyun, former Chairman of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, famous for his "super-gap" management, will have a special one-hour talk with Bae Sang-geun, Executive Director of FKI, on the last day, the 23rd.
Additionally, world-renowned popera castrato Jung Jae-hoon and trot singer Yang Ji-eun, winner of Miss Trot 2, are scheduled to perform.
Marking its 35th year, the FKI Summer Forum is known as the premier venue for knowledge exchange in the business community. Top experts and business executives from key fields provide CEOs with corporate growth strategies, visions and insights for new businesses, as well as diverse cultural events and networking opportunities.
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