1000 Women CEOs Gathered in One Place... 'Beyond Growth, Towards the World'

'Women CEO Management Training' Held at Ilsan KINTEX
Chairman Lee Jeong-han: "We Are Writing a New Chapter in the Economy"

About 1,000 of the nation’s top female CEOs gathered in one place to pledge ‘globalization.’

On the 13th, attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the '2024 National Women CEO Management Training' held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association

The Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association held the ‘2024 National Women CEO Management Training’ on the 13th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, under the slogan ‘Beyond growth, To the world! For the growth of 3.26 million women-owned businesses!’

The Women Entrepreneurs Association’s management training is a festival for women entrepreneurs, held annually since 1999 while touring nationwide. On this day, about 1,000 women entrepreneurs from across the country gathered.

At the opening ceremony, key guests included Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Vice Minister Kim Seong-seop of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party, and Kim Seong-hoe of the Democratic Party.

Starting with the opening address by Lee Jeong-han, president of the Women Entrepreneurs Association, the event continued with congratulatory speeches, welcome remarks, a vision declaration ceremony, special lectures, presentations of excellent management cases by region, and networking. Side events included visiting promotional booths for women-owned businesses and consulting on management difficulties faced by women entrepreneurs.

In her opening address, President Lee said, “We are writing a new chapter in the history of South Korea’s economy every day,” adding, “Although we started somewhat later than male-led companies, we have grown into CEOs who stand shoulder to shoulder with male companies and take responsibility for numerous employees without yielding to harsh environments.”

She continued, “The path we are walking is not just about individual success but a ‘path of hope’ where more women can realize their dreams and open a new future.”

President Lee also stated, “This July, we declared the inaugural year of global expansion for women-owned businesses through Women’s Enterprise Week. Although immediate results may not be visible, if we women entrepreneurs challenge the future together and steadily unite our strengths in our respective positions, it will surely lead to revitalizing South Korea’s economy.”

She further urged, “Let us trust and rely on each other and go together until women-owned businesses become the hope of South Korea’s economy.”

Hong Seok-woo, chairman of the Industrial Strategy Research Foundation and former Minister of Knowledge Economy, gave a special lecture titled ‘The Governance Code for Women CEOs.’ Quoting Dasan Jeong Yak-yong’s Governance Code, Chairman Hong explained, “Criticism is like a refreshing wind,” adding, “When you realize a wrong judgment, it is the conduct of a noble person not to cover up the fault. Do not be ashamed to ask your subordinates.”

Among the excellent management cases by region, Daegu branch’s Vision Digitech and Northern Gyeonggi’s Domisol Food were introduced. Established in 2008, Vision Digitech is a company that sells low-frequency antennas for automobiles, wiring harnesses, and eco-friendly automotive parts. They led sales growth by producing parts such as low-frequency antennas for smart keys, which were previously dependent on imports. Domisol Food, founded in 2005 and specializing in kimchi manufacturing, focuses on quality using 100% domestic ingredients. Through various sales channels including hotel and celebrity custom orders, bulk supply, and online distribution, they achieved sales exceeding 40 billion KRW.

Meanwhile, on the 14th, about 1,000 women entrepreneurs plan to embark on a regional exploration to revitalize the local economy of Goyang Special City and Northern Gyeonggi.