[2023 Women’s Forum] You Are a Brand... 'Power K-Women' Who Found and Pioneered Their Own Path

Asia Economy Hosts '2023 Women Leaders Forum'
41 Power K-Women Selected for Creating New Universal Values

At the ‘2023 Women Leaders Forum’ hosted by Asia Economy on the 24th, 41 ‘Power K-Women’ were born. The K-Women, first selected last year, refers to female leaders who have fought against boundaries and limitations such as physical disabilities, poverty, migration, and war both domestically and internationally, creating new universal values. Last year, 40 ‘K-Women’ were selected from various fields, including Kelly Choi, Chairwoman of Kelly Deli, writer Jeong Sora, artist Jung Eunhye, senior researcher Shim Chaekyung at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and YouTuber Jang Myeongsuk (Milanonna). This year, 41 individuals newly engraved their names in the Hall of ‘Power K-Women.’ Rather than simple ‘success,’ the quality and quantity of positive impact on the world through achievements in their respective fields were evaluated based on four indicators: innovation, creativity, pioneering, and inclusiveness. The focus was on the contribution of their life journeys in pioneering paths to ‘women’s lives.’ Candidates were recommended by Asia Economy reporters, the research team, and advisory panels.

The Women’s Forum advisory panel emphasized that this year’s selection criteria should focus on ‘women who found and pioneered paths.’ Jang Hyeyoung, a member of the Justice Party, said, “I want to hear stories of people who found paths in times of crisis,” adding, “I hope the selected individuals become a brand that transcends Korea’s boundaries. I hope the worldview of Power K-Women expands by including perspectives that overseas media cannot capture.” Moon Seonkyung, Executive Director of Unico Search, also said, “It’s easier to run a marathon when following a pacemaker. Women need more role models.” Yeon Hyunju, CEO of the Life Research Institute, said, “I hope those working in fields where women are less represented or those who remain gems in their positions even in their 70s and 80s are spotlighted.” Professor Sung Jinsil of Yonsei Cancer Hospital and Kim Kyungseon, Director of the Happy Workplace Life Research Institute, suggested that more women who have made their presence known in relatively male-dominated fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), medicine, and science should appear.

Asia Economy discovered women who have paved, expanded, and solidified paths as this year’s Power K-Women. Director Lee Gilbora, a ‘road scholar’ who left school and pioneered her own path through writing, traveling, and video production on the streets; player Srong Piabi, who connected Korea and Cambodia through billiards and spread goodwill on the path; and model Yoon Youngju, who lived as the eldest daughter-in-law of a head family all her life and opened a second chapter as a fashion model in her 70s, walking the path of a fashion, culture, and art influencer, were selected as K-Women. Kim Hyunjung, a NASA researcher working hard to pioneer the unknown paths of outer space, and Park Eunjeong, CSO of Upstage, who early on engaged in Korean honorific translation and data mining research, the starting point of AI, were also named. Lee Yeonsil, CEO of Iyagijangsu, who has worked to change social perceptions of women through insightful books such as ‘War Did Not Have a Woman’s Face,’ encouraged these lives through a K-Women interview, saying, “The life of an ordinary person can also be a story, a work.” Climbing athlete Kim Jajin, who overcame the adversity of injury after childbirth to win first place in the International Sports Climbing Federation World Cup, and Kang Miseon, principal dancer of the Universal Ballet who received the highest honor in the dance world, the ‘Prix Benois de la Danse’ for best female dancer as a working mom ballerina, were also included.

The world is advancing toward a more valuable place through the efforts of women who have overcome limits and prejudices. Asia Economy will continue to unite efforts to discover and highlight the process in which numerous steps toward a better society come together to form new and solid paths.

Below are the 41 Power K-Women of the Women Leaders Forum (in alphabetical order):

Kang Miseon, principal dancer of Universal Ballet; Kang Shinsuk, President of SH Suhyup Bank; Kim Danha, CEO of Danha; Kim Mia, member of the People Power Party; Kim Jajin, climbing athlete; Kim Junghui, CEO of Uwel Deco; Kim Jisoo, writer; Kim Jinkyung, CEO of Big Value; Kim Hyunjung, NASA researcher; Kim Hyenam, psychoanalysis specialist; Kim Heejung, CEO of Jjaegakakgeo; Kim Heejin, CEO of Ulike Korea; Moon Yeojeong, Executive Director of IMM Investment; Moon Woori, CEO of Fortify; Park Eunjeong, CSO of Upstage; Bae Soonmin, Director (Executive Director) of KT Convergence Technology Institute; Srong Piabi, professional billiards player; Shin Gyesook, professor at Baewha Women’s University; Yeo Jakyung, conductor; Oh Sunyoung, Head of Financial AI Center at KB Kookmin Bank; Oh Yeonjin, CEO of Louise the Woman; Yong Hyein, leader of the Basic Income Party; Woo Miryung, CEO of Lush Korea; Yoon Youngju, model; Lee Gilbora, film director; Lee Rang, singer and film director; Lee Miso, CEO of Gamjabat; Lee Minhee, CEO of Lemontree; Lee Boksil, Vice President of the National Management Research Institute; Lee Suin, CEO of Enuma; Lee Yeonsil, CEO of Iyagijangsu; Lee Jeongyun, CEO of Village Baby; Im Hyemin, CEO of Creatrip; Jeon Jinsu, former CEO of Superlabs; Jung Soyeon, lawyer; Jung Jieun, CEO of Codit; Jo Eunjeong, pilot; Cheon Gyeyoung, cartoonist; Choi Hyunju, CEO of Uglies; Choi Hyeyoung, member of the Democratic Party; Han Ikyeong, CEO of Polaris Advisor.