Krafton Jang Byung-gyu: "Advanced Manufacturing and Global Service Industries Will Be Core to Korean Industry"

"To Lead Paradigm Shift, Outstanding Talent Must Be Secured"

Krafton founder and Chairman of the Board Jang Byeong-gyu predicted that "advanced manufacturing and global service industries will emerge as the core of Korea's future industries."

At the '2024 Scholar Mentoring Special Lecture' hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea held on the 22nd at EL Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Chairman Jang stated, "Since our country lacks natural resources and has a relatively small population, transitioning to global high value-added industries is essential."

He emphasized the importance of paradigm shifts in Korean industry and nurturing talented individuals, saying, "To lead this paradigm shift, it is urgent to secure outstanding talent in various fields."

The Scholar Mentoring Special Lecture is a program held annually by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, inviting leaders in engineering and technology from academia and industry who are gaining attention. This year, over 100 participants including university students, graduate students, and key members of the Academy attended, with Chairman Jang, newly inducted as a full member of the Academy, taking the stage. Under the theme ‘AMA (Ask Me Anything),’ he delivered a lecture sharing his experiences and life advice.

Chairman Jang connected various classics and views of notable figures with his own experiences, mentioning the ‘necessity of immersion,’ ‘challenges without fear of failure,’ and ‘the relationship between choices and identity.’

During the Q&A session, students asked questions about business management, startup know-how, and future industry prospects. In response to the question, "What competencies are necessary to become a global talent?" Chairman Jang advised, "You have already experienced a higher level of education than previous generations and possess strong cultural adaptability. I hope you gain confidence and further develop these competencies by directly experiencing two or more cultural spheres."

Meanwhile, the Scholar Mentoring program of the National Academy of Engineering consists of mentors who are members of the Academy sharing their career and professional field experiences and visions with university and graduate students. This program has been conducted annually since 2021.