[Power K-Women] "Overcoming Stroke... Steadfastly Protecting the Company Left by My Husband"

Seo Im-sun, Former Ideal Homemaker Dream, Now CEO of Pyeongsan Gigong
Assumed CEO Role After Losing Founder Husband
Manufactures Bolts and Nuts... Supplies to HD Hyundai Infracore and Others

When she was young, her dream was to be a devoted wife and mother. She never imagined becoming a businesswoman. This is the story of Seo Im-sun, CEO of Pyeongsan Gikong. She met her current husband while working at a manufacturing company in Incheon. Her husband founded Pyeongsan Gikong in 1976 and began supplying bolts and nuts to what is now HD Hyundai Infracore.

"What my husband left behind"... Employees who stayed by her side like family

Seo, who thought she would spend her life supporting her husband, saw her fate change in 1998. Her husband was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in December of that year, leaving her to take over as company CEO. She often described the company as "what my husband left behind." Although the burden of leading a company was heavy, she could not give up the business her husband had built. The employees who stayed by her side like family became a strong support system. "During the IMF crisis, the company faced difficulties and we had to notify some employees of recommended resignations. However, the employees voluntarily said, 'We will work without overtime pay,' which helped us overcome the hardship without any departures."

She produces and processes essential components such as bolts and nuts, which are critical for building industrial infrastructure, supplying major companies like HD Hyundai Infracore. She has been on this path for over 20 years. Pyeongsan Gikong manufactures over 1,000 types each of bolts and nuts. Since it is a small-lot, multi-product production process, even slight deviations can cause defective products, requiring delicate technical skills. The bolts and nuts made by Pyeongsan Gikong are used in industrial vehicles such as excavators and forklifts and are also exported. It is a solid company with annual sales in the 10 billion KRW range. Seo said, "We strive to manage quality better than any other company," adding, "We adhere to zero defect rates and on-time delivery as our principles." She is firm about quality, saying, "There is no tolerance." They strictly manage quality by using domestically made manufacturing equipment and POSCO raw materials, and by appointing a dedicated product quality manager.

Bolt manufacturer Pyeongsan Gikong Co., Ltd. CEO Seo Im-sun is showing the production equipment at the factory in Namdong-gu, Incheon. Photo by Huh Young-han younghan@

She treats her employees like family. Even in company meetings, she addresses them as "Pyeongsan family members." She says this is the secret to the company’s longevity. Thanks to this management philosophy, some employees have worked at the company for over 30 years. Some male employees’ spouses have also been employed here to help with the workforce. There are no foreign workers at all. Although a small and medium-sized enterprise, it has an appropriate wage and welfare system, making it a preferred workplace for job seekers. The company supports employees’ children’s tuition fees and even pays for employees who wish to attend university. They have a contract with Soongsil University’s Venture Management Department and have sent six employees to study there. The first graduate is expected this fall. Although it costs tens of millions of KRW annually, Seo does not consider it a waste. She says it actually gives her peace of mind.

Seo said, "I approach this with the idea of sharing profits with employees," adding, "I think about what little things, even 0.1%, I can do for the employees by saving a bit." Seeing employees happily working makes her happy and naturally relieves her stress. When the company faces difficulties, she transparently shares the situation with employees, and labor and management cooperate to overcome hardships. She said, "My husband would have done the same." In April last year, Seo expanded and relocated the factory from 500 pyeong to 1,000 pyeong, taking out a loan of about 10 billion KRW for this. "I have to work hard to repay it. But I won’t burden the employees. I will keep my promise to raise their salaries little by little every year."

A week in a coma... Standing up like a 'roly-poly doll'

If becoming CEO of Pyeongsan Gikong was her second life, 2009 marked the arrival of her third life. At that time, Seo took classes to become a better manager and attended lectures at economic organizations whenever they were held, dropping everything to go. To overcome her introverted personality, she even participated in Carnegie CEO courses. One night after finishing a dinner with fellow students from the Carnegie course, she returned home close to midnight. As she was about to sit on the living room sofa, her vision blurred. Her daughter asked, "Mom, what’s wrong?" and Seo’s last memory was replying, "I feel weak." She immediately took a taxi to the emergency room. She then spent a week in a coma in the intensive care unit. It was a stroke. Although she regained consciousness, half of her body was difficult to move. Her speech was slurred, making communication difficult.

CEO Seom-Soon Seo of Pyeongsan Gikong Co., Ltd., a bolt manufacturer, is holding a large bolt for excavators produced at the factory in Namdong-gu, Incheon. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

She steadily recovered her health through rehabilitation therapy. She said, "I made painstaking efforts, walking around the park five times a day and reading the newspaper out loud." At that time, she also took up East Asian painting as a hobby. Immersing herself in painting for two hours helped her regain concentration and find peace of mind. Even now, she listens to Buddhist scriptures at 7 a.m. and takes a 40-minute walk in the park. After breakfast, she attends Pilates classes before going to work. She especially never skips her morning walk, rain or shine. This is her personal health management secret.

Aiming to be a strong small business that understands and empathizes with employees

She compares herself to a 'roly-poly doll' because she never gives up no matter what trials come her way. Though gentle and soft-spoken, her determination to protect and grow the company is as strong as anyone’s. Her soft power comes from 'learning.' She had the safety manager attend lectures on responding to the Serious Accident Punishment Act, and she herself completed education on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management. She often tells employees, "Learn everything; you never know when it might come in handy." Seo’s eldest daughter is learning the business firsthand and preparing to inherit the family business. This is how they look toward Pyeongsan Gikong’s 100-year future. Seo said, "Rather than becoming a company with huge sales, I want to grow it into a strong small business that understands and empathizes with its employees."

◆ About CEO Seo Im-sun...

Seo took over Pyeongsan Gikong, founded by her husband in 1976, and became CEO in 1999. Having experienced unexpected life changes, she felt the heavy burden of leading a company but did not give up the business her husband left behind. She has come this far by working closely with employees who unite tightly during crises. She provides tuition support for employees’ children and sends long-term exemplary workers on trips. As vice chairman of the Korea Industrial Complex Namdong Industrial Complex Employers’ Association, she works to enhance the economic and social status of tenant companies and plays a role in advancing the industrial complex’s structure. In January last year, she was appointed president of the Incheon branch of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, where she is promoting support projects for local women’s startups, women’s business management activities, and market expansion.