[One Thousand Characters a Day] Chairman Kim Ung-gi's 'The World Is My Treasure Island' <1>

Editor's NoteKim Ung-gi, Chairman of the Global SeAH Group, in his autobiographical management essay The World is My Treasure Island, shares the growth story of a small company that started with two employees and a capital of 5 million KRW, rising to become a global giant with annual sales nearing 10 trillion KRW. While everyone discouraged the company, saying that apparel and textiles were declining industries, Chairman Kim nurtured it into a world-class apparel export company. Through active acquisitions of Nasan (IndieF), Ssangyong Construction, Taelim, Balmax Technology, SeAH STX Entech, Jeonju Paper, and others, the company’s assets and sales both surpassed 6 trillion KRW in just 37 years. His story, of nearly 40 years of consistent challenge and transformation as if exploring a treasure island, will inspire readers who feel stuck against huge walls in work or life or who feel anxious about drifting away from their goals to take one more step forward. Word count: 916.

There is one truth I realized while exploring the world. Only those who go as far as they can, seeing, learning, and feeling much, can recognize and seize opportunities and value. You reap what you see and know. In that sense, the world I have encountered was full of treasures.

I always placed myself in unfamiliar places. The people, opportunities, and achievements I gained there outweighed my desire to enjoy comfort in a safe place. The goddess of fortune always favors adventurers, so opportunities come only to those who keep moving forward and are constantly on an adventure. Of course, the insight to recognize treasures, patience, the execution power to run ahead, and sincerity are essential.

Business is like endlessly sailing an unknown sea. You never know when a fierce storm will come. It is my destiny to navigate through storms until the moment I retire. Sometimes I ask myself: if God gave me the choice to go back to my twenties and start life over, what would I do? Without hesitation, I would choose a new life. Because I want to go to a higher and farther unknown world than now.

Many people start businesses or work in companies. When asked about the secret to success, I say, "Be a leader in whatever you do." A leader is a pioneer, and a pioneer can change the course of the river. Also, only the number one company inevitably survives. So whatever you do, you must become the undisputed number one with all your might.

The start is to dream. Without dreaming hopeful dreams, there is no future. Hold onto hopeful dreams and challenge courageously. Challenge is the ladder to achieving dreams and hope. So do not fear challenges. Awaken the adventurer within you and push through with courage to go to the farthest place in this world. There, surely, a treasure that only you can recognize will be waiting.

- Kim Ung-gi, The World is My Treasure Island, Sam & Parkers, 19,800 KRW