[So Jongseop's Sokterview] Yeom Jaeho "Korea Must Lead the Digital New Order"

"Creating a Digital Rights Charter, an Expression of Korea's Confidence"
"Chairman Chey Tae-won Deeply Contemplates Future Strategies"
"In Education, Drawing Out Is More Important Than Filling In"

The world is truly changing in the blink of an eye. Not long ago, everyone was talking about the "Metaverse, Metaverse," but now news reports say the hype has faded. No one knows where the wave of change will strike next. The government, companies, and individuals are all in the same boat. New sprouts always emerge during times of upheaval.

Yeom Jae-ho, former president of Korea University, stands at the intersection of these changes. While experiencing the corporate field as chairman of the SK board, he recently took on the role of chairman of the government's ambitious "Digital New Order Council." He is also busy as the inaugural president of the future-oriented university "Taejae Digital University (Taejae University)," aiming to open in September this year. On March 27, we met him for an hour at the SK Co., Ltd. board chairman’s office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Yeom Jae-ho, Chairman of the Board of Directors at SK Inc. The interview was conducted in the office located in Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, with a view of Namsan. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

You recently became the chairman of the Digital New Order Council established by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Why was it created, and what does the council do?

With the digital revolution in the 21st century, life has changed. It’s not all positive; there are negative aspects as well. Looking back at the past, in the 20th century, the scientific management method created a mass production and mass consumption system, which made humanity very prosperous. However, as a result, various negative issues like environmental pollution and waste emerged. No one paid attention to these problems in advance, so now we are suffering to solve them.

Therefore, we want to organize in advance the various problems that have arisen or will arise due to the digital revolution, and create something like a digital bill of rights. Beyond digital divides or coexistence with artificial intelligence, we will address issues that individuals must be cautious about living in a digital society, such as voice phishing, pornography, and hacking. It is time for Korea to lead the standards and direction of the digital new order.

Does this mean you intend to create a kind of global standard related to digital order?

Yes. With the release of ChatGPT 4.0, false information can circulate, and others’ ideas can be plagiarized. We will proactively establish standards for the various negative impacts and areas needing improvement that may arise with the development of new digital technologies.

For example, anyone can create a new drug, but it must pass the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) verification to be recognized. Similarly, as the world changes due to digital technology, we want to study how new orders and authorities?unprecedented in civilization?will emerge and lead the trend in Korea. About 20 experts have gathered to start discussions.

What is the core point?

Initially, we plan to create a grand charter, like a national education charter, on how humanity should live in the digital age. Then, based on that, we will gradually change various issues one by one. For example, do humans really need to marry? As AI develops, society might become one that makes people happier. Then questions about what it means to be human may arise. Also, because of ChatGPT, the concept of education itself must be reconsidered profoundly.

These issues are not unique to Korea, are they?

They are global issues. We want to warn in advance and lead the way by saying, "Come on, let’s try it here." Korea has become very brave recently. Confidence has grown in dramas, music, and more. Why can’t we do this? We are leading in digital, and this confidence is expressed in that way.

Is the immediate practical goal to create a digital bill of rights?

Yes. The bill of rights will include both positive and negative aspects and what we need to do for them. Once that is done, we will also predict how the new digital order will unfold. Now, instead of just a statistics office, a data office should be established. Statistics are important, but gathering all data in one place is even more crucial.

What will change most in human life in the digital age?

Probably work will change the most. What defines work, what work means?that is the key. It is frustrating that the ruling and opposition parties are still fighting over working hours. Working hours were based on going to a factory and working on-site during the 20th-century mass production manufacturing era. But now, the concept of working hours has changed. Yet politicians are still debating whether 52 hours or 60 hours is correct.

For example, at "Woowa Brothers," employees can live in Europe for a month and still work online. In the digital age, time and space are transcended, so why must people suffer commuting? Even SK has become much freer in this regard. There is no fixed seat. You just control how much work you will do by today or this week. It’s ridiculous that the government steps in to punish based on hours. Now is not the time to fight labor unions over hours.

Let’s talk about something else. You have been chairman of the SK Co., Ltd. board for over four years.

Since 2019, so this is the fifth year. It is the first innovative board in Korea. Chairman Chey Tae-won stepped down from the board chairman position to improve governance, and I was appointed chairman through the board. We discuss risk management, political and economic changes, and trends on a large scale, experimenting every year to evolve the system. It’s fun, educational, and rewarding.

In what way is it innovative?

Traditionally, in large companies, the owner makes all decisions, or the so-called corporate strategy or planning office does. But we are different. The board does it. Before 1776, before the U.S. independence, there was no presidential system in the world. Kings ruled everything. When George Washington, the first U.S. president, said he would step down after one term, people couldn’t understand it. It was shocking then, but now it’s normal.

Chairman Chey strongly believes that global companies should be based on philosophy, values, and systems, not always owner-centered. In that sense, we continue experimenting and give the board more authority.

What did Chairman Chey emphasize when asking you to chair the board?

He said the board must be central. Like the separation of powers, it’s important how well the board, shareholders, and management check and balance each other. He said it’s important to be separate but also together. Each company operates autonomously, but SK’s values and vision are shared. SK has the SUPEX Pursuit Council, where representatives of each company meet to coordinate and consult.

Do you think the board is operating autonomously and ideally?

Not 100%, but at first, I thought the chairman would have his own ideas. But after several meetings, the chairman said he is not omniscient and that it helps to have checks. If he makes a wrong decision, he takes responsibility. It’s not right to let the chairman decide everything. How can one person manage such a big company? That’s the direction we are moving in. The board evaluates the CEO and controls salaries. We hold many workshops and training sessions?about 50 last year alone. We keep changing like this.

Chairman Yeom stated that it is important to create a culture focused on ability regardless of gender. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

What do you think is the ideal relationship between the board and the CEO?

The owners have the most information about corporate management, so they tend to be smart. After 10 or 20 years, it’s like getting daily private tutoring on the essence of the business. But instead of always deciding like a monarch, it’s better for the board to point out what the owner misses. Not everything that comes up is correct, so it’s meaningful for the board to express opposing opinions and maintain balance.

Are there still many corporate owners who don’t think this way?

It’s a process of change. It’s not just companies; politics is the same. Politicians often talk 90% by themselves. Both companies and politics are evolving toward a more advanced society.

What about women entering outside director positions?

Although women have had abilities, consideration for them has been insufficient. We continue to seek and discover talent. At SK, two of the five outside directors are women. They were chosen for their abilities, not because they are women. It’s meaningful to gather outstanding talent.

Some argue for full implementation of quotas.

Because the female ratio is very low, that argument arises. But in about 10 years, there might be a male quota. For example, some government departments have 70-80% women in their headquarters.

There’s no need to distinguish by gender. Currently, women face a so-called glass ceiling, but female executives at SK are advancing. In the long term, creating a culture based on ability without gender distinction is more important. But since we are in a transition period, quotas should be considered.

How would you evaluate "Manager Chey Tae-won"?

He is future-oriented and strongly believes in the need for change. Like placing opening moves in Go, he looks 10 to 20 years ahead. Korean companies have risen tremendously, but if they stay as they are, they will fall. He is deeply concerned about what future strategies to adopt to survive. Personally, he is honest and unpretentious.

What is the status of Taejae University? You said it would open in March.

Preparation was somewhat insufficient, so the Ministry of Education requested improvements. I think that was good. We plan to open more solidly in September. The September opening is symbolic as Korea’s first.

There is no separate campus, right?

It’s a 21st-century university. Existing cyber universities simply record professors’ lectures on video for many people to watch?a mass education system. Taejae University uses digital technology so students and professors can attend classes anywhere in the world. Classes focus on problem-based discussions. Until now, professors taught from textbooks, but at Taejae University, professors do not teach. Professors also receive 12 weeks of training. From a 21st-century perspective, the idea of teaching itself is somewhat laughable.

All classes have fewer than 20 students, and throughout the year, students learn three personal skills (self-directed learning, critical thinking, creativity) and three social skills (communication, empathy, sustainability). Deep specialization is done in graduate school; the university builds foundational strength and problem-solving ability. From the second semester of sophomore year to the first semester of senior year, students live in Japan, the U.S., China, and Russia for four semesters. They live in dormitories for six months, studying how those countries became powers while studying their majors. There are four departments, and taking seven courses counts as a major.

Have you selected students?

From May, we will select 100 Korean students and 100 foreign students. Since this is a new model for the 21st century, I hope other universities adopt parts of it.

The tuition must be expensive.

Jo Chang-geol, founder and honorary chairman of Hanssem, is investing 300 billion won as chairman. There is no economic burden or exclusivity for wealthy students. We can operate for about 10 years without financial difficulties, but stable operation requires preparation. Knowledge can become an industry. We plan to sell educational courses to companies and use a curated digital library rather than simply listing knowledge and information.

It doesn’t cost much. We hire professors worldwide who don’t have to come here. There is no retirement age. The University of Georgia in the U.S. abolished retirement last year. We are moving toward a nomadic society, but demanding job security once hired is like demanding a feudal system. That is a caste system. That’s why labor unions are called aristocrats.

You were president of Korea University, so you must have special thoughts on education. What do you see as the biggest problem in our education?

Korea is still focused on entrance exams, so studying is seen as labor. Actually, studying is driven by curiosity and questions. The most important thing in education is how much talent a person can draw out. We only think about putting things in. People should express their own voices, not echo others. But we don’t speak up. Even when we find something delicious, we say, “It seems delicious.”

Companies should also eliminate hiring based on academic background. Now is an era where creativity and ideas matter more than academic credentials. Hiring should be based on ability, not degrees. We live in the 21st century, but we still haven’t discarded the 20th-century social DNA. That’s why we can’t solve problems. My criticism of politicians fighting over working hours is in this context.

President Yeom Jae-ho, who took office as the 19th president of Korea University in 2015, is delivering his inaugural address at the Inchon Memorial Hall auditorium.

[Who is Yeom Jae-ho]

Born in Seoul in 1955. Graduated from Shinil High School and Korea University’s Department of Public Administration, and earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University in the U.S. Since 1990, he has been a professor in Korea University’s Department of Public Administration and served as chairman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s policy advisory committee, chairman of the Seoul Industry-Academia Cooperation Forum, representative of the Korea-Japan Future Forum, head of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance’s public institution management evaluation team, chairman of the Korea Higher Education Foundation, president of the Korean Association for Public Administration, and president of the Modern Japan Studies Association. He served as the 19th president of Korea University from 2015 to 2019. His books include (2018, Nanam), (2004, Tokyo: Mokdoksya), (1997), and (1994). He currently serves as chairman of the SK Co., Ltd. board, chairman of the Digital New Order Council, and president of Taejae University.