[2024 Women’s Forum] ‘Powered K-Women’ Armed with ‘Authenticity’ and Proven by ‘Challenge’

Women Leaders Forum Selects 37 'Power K-Women' Shining This Year
Based on Innovation, Creativity, Pioneering, Inclusion, Dedication, Work-Life Balance
Rejecting Celebrity-Centric Selection, Analyzing Positive Social Impact

At the 13th annual ‘2024 Women Leaders Forum,’ 37 new ‘Power K-Women’ were born. Power K-Women refer to female leaders who break boundaries across various fields and challenge themselves to create new values. Starting with 40 women in 2022, 41 were selected last year, and this year, 37 Power K-Women were chosen. The selection was based on indicators such as ‘innovation, creativity, pioneering, inclusion, dedication, and work-family balance achievements.’ Rejecting a selection method focused on famous figures, the lives and journeys of Power K-Women were thoroughly analyzed for their positive impact on society. Female leaders who overcame boundaries and courageously challenged themselves to open new horizons in their respective fields were examined from multiple angles by Asia Economy reporters and an external advisory panel.

This year’s keywords representing Power K-Women are ‘authenticity’ and ‘challenge.’ Writer Kim Gyeoul, who rejects societal stereotypes about women and ponders ‘how to live as myself’ while carving a path as a creator; Jung Saemmul, head of Jung Saemmul Beauty, who emphasized that challenge is a choice but one must not be ashamed of oneself; Choi Myunghwa, CEO of BlossomMe, who taught that ‘reconciling with oneself’ is more important than trying to prove oneself to others; and Choi Boyoon, a member of the People Power Party, who stressed living each day authentically, all made the list of Power K-Women.

This year, Power K-Women unanimously emphasized ‘challenge.’ Professor Seo Ryeokyung of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital revealed her dream of becoming a world champion, stressing, “If you don’t give up, you will eventually succeed.” Park Sangmi, director of the Healing Campus psychological counseling center, said, “The world has never recognized me first,” but insisted that the reason she has come this far is because she kept shouting, “I can do it.” Park Miok, the first female detective chief in Korea, advised, “Face your fears and persistently overcome them.” Lee Sookkyung, the first Korean director of a European art museum and director of the Whitworth Museum in Manchester, UK, encouraged, “Question discrimination and challenge it.” Professor Lee Jinhyung, the first Korean female tenured professor at Stanford University, advised, “When faced with unreasonable situations, don’t think you are being discriminated against; seek solutions.” Jo Yeonok, CFO of Park Systems, the world’s number one atomic force microscope company, emphasized, “If there is a problem to be solved, it is you.” Hwang Jeonga, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, insisted, “The one who endures wins. The key is persistent challenge.”

Asia Economy has selected a cumulative total of 118 Power K-Women to date. Hyun Sangsoon, chairman of Asia Economy, said, “Power K-Women will play a central role in Korea while also serving as mentors who provide insights and inspiration to young leaders. Asia Economy will spare no support.”

The following are the 37 Power K-Women of the 2024 Women Leaders Forum (in alphabetical order):

▲ Writer Kim Gyeoul ▲ Kim Miyoung, Director of Financial Consumer Protection Department (Deputy Director), Financial Supervisory Service ▲ Kim Minjung, CEO of Korea Ferring Pharmaceuticals ▲ Kim Yeji, Olympic shooting national team member ▲ Kim Eunkyung, soprano/visiting professor at Myongji University ▲ Kim Hyuna, writer ▲ Ra Seonyeong, Chairperson of the Korean Cancer Association ▲ Park Miok, writer ▲ Park Sangmi, director of Healing Campus The Sympathy ▲ Park Jiwon, CEO of Save&Co ▲ Seo Ryeokyung, professor of pediatrics and adolescents at Soonchunhyang University/KBM Lightweight Flyweight Boxing Champion ▲ Son Seongyeon, CEO of CNC General Construction ▲ Ahn Wookyung, endowed professor of psychology at Yale University, USA ▲ Oh Seunghui, professional at Samsung C&T Resort Division ▲ Yoorang, comic artist ▲ Lee Suin, professor at the University of Washington, USA ▲ Lee Sookkyung, director of the Whitworth Museum, Manchester, UK ▲ Lee Yerang, CEO of Rico Sports Agency ▲ Lee Osook, head of Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters ▲ Lee Jeongae, CEO of LG Household & Health Care ▲ Lee Jiyoon, professor at KAIST ▲ Lee Jinhyung, professor at Stanford University, USA ▲ Lee Hyemin, CEO of Finda ▲ Lee Hyejun, CEO of KaiHealth ▲ Jung Saemmul, head of Jung Saemmul Beauty ▲ Jung Yujeong, writer ▲ Jung Jiseon, owner-chef of Tienmimi ▲ Jung Jiye, CEO of Mom Comfortable World ▲ Jo Yeonok, CFO of Park Systems ▲ Jo Ji-eun, professor at the University of Oxford, UK ▲ Jin Sunhee, deputy legislative chief at the National Assembly Secretariat ▲ Cha Miyoung, director of the Max Planck Institute, Germany ▲ Choi Myunghwa, CEO of BlossomMe ▲ Choi Boyoon, lawyer (member of the National Assembly) ▲ Choi Yuna, lawyer (writer) ▲ Choi Jaehwa, CEO of Bungaejangter ▲ Hwang Jeonga, astrophysicist (member of the National Assembly).