Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, greeted the new year 2024 by telling group members, "A loosened geomungo string must be loosened and then tightened again to produce the correct sound (正音)," and urged, "Let us all adopt the attitude of ‘Haehyeon-gyeongjang (解弦更張·retightening the geomungo strings)’ to inspect and refine our management system."
In his New Year's email message to employees on the 1st, Chairman Choi conveyed this meaning by saying, "It is said that a loosened geomungo string must be loosened and then tightened again to produce the correct sound (正音)."
Haehyeon-gyeongjang originates from a proposal submitted by Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒), a Chinese Han dynasty philosopher, to Emperor Wu (武帝), emphasizing change and reform.
Chairman Choi emphasized, "This year, our management environment is also expected to be challenging," adding, "Just as a big tree must root itself widely and deeply, we must take this as an opportunity to build internal strength suitable for our growth."
Reflecting on 2023, he said, "It was a difficult year for everyone due to a global economic recession, energy crisis, and other more challenging management conditions than expected," and expressed sincere gratitude to all who persevered through the hardships.
He continued, "Despite rapidly changing geopolitical environments, many countries around the world, regardless of their national power or size, are striving to solve problems such as energy and climate crises, digital issues, diseases, and poverty," and stated, "If we can provide solutions, they will place greater trust in us, creating a virtuous cycle of sustainable growth and coexistence."
Furthermore, Chairman Choi said, "Our group operates various businesses that can solve humanity’s problems, including green energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital, and bio sectors," and added, "If we consolidate our strengths and capabilities and actively cooperate externally, we will be able to create the 'total solutions' needed by our stakeholders."
He emphasized, "One example is providing energy solutions that combine AI and carbon reduction technologies to solve customers’ energy transition issues," and stressed, "It is time to demonstrate our unique ‘ddaro tto gati’ (separately yet together), especially the power of ‘together.’"
Regarding the 2023 Busan World Expo (Busan Expo) bid, Chairman Choi said, "Although the result itself was disappointing, thanks to you, we achieved considerable success in the Expo bidding activities," and added, "We met many countries and various stakeholders around the world, built networks, and directly heard about the problems they are facing."
He expressed regret that due to long-term external activities such as supporting the Busan Expo bid last year, there were few opportunities to hear directly from group members, and pledged, "In the new year, I will create opportunities to discuss with you what is needed for ‘our happiness’ to continue."
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