Attending the 'Commerce Day Ceremony' on the 19th
"Facing another crisis and challenge...
Triangular waves of trade changes, inflation, and AI-driven paradigm shift
Emphasizing that the rules of the game are changing"
Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, attended the '52nd Commerce Day Ceremony' held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 19th, and emphasized, "We are facing another crisis and challenge," adding, "If we fall behind the speed of change, we will be eliminated, and we must change at a faster pace to survive."
At the 52nd Commerce Day Commemoration Ceremony, Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delivering a commemorative speech. Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
On the day, Chairman Choi said, "The rules of the game are changing amid the triangular waves of global trade environment changes, inflation, and the industrial paradigm shift driven by artificial intelligence (AI)."
He stated, "We must muster the courage to take on new attempts," and proposed, "The first courage is the determination to change outdated laws and systems, requiring bold institutional innovation that cuts off regulations restricting private creativity and innovation."
He continued, "The second is flexible courage for economic structural transformation," explaining, "In addition to the export-driven economic model, it is necessary to diversify investments such as strategic overseas investments and adopt a flexible approach to attracting overseas citizens to revitalize domestic demand."
Lastly, he added, "It is time to embrace the courage to accept technological changes such as AI and improve operational efficiency across the economy," and said, "I believe it is time to accept comprehensive changes from production methods and work processes to organizational culture, along with a shift in perception that views AI and digital transformation not as costs but as investments."
Chairman Choi also said, "The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting to be held in Gyeongju this October is a global big event attended by leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific countries and about 1,700 global CEOs," adding, "It will be more than a simple event; it will be an opportunity for our companies to seek global cooperation and showcase South Korea's capabilities to the world."
At the 52nd Commerce Day ceremony, Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (fifth from the left in the front row), Ahn Deok-geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (fourth from the left in the front row), Kwon Young-se, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party (sixth from the left in the front row), and Park Chan-dae, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (third from the left in the front row), are taking a commemorative photo with the awardees. Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Commerce Day is established to honor the efforts of businesspeople who have contributed to national economic development and local communities, and it is held annually on the third Wednesday of March. The event was attended by about 400 businesspeople nationwide, including Chairman Choi, Minister Ahn Deok-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kwon Young-se, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Park Chan-dae, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, along with government and National Assembly officials.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry awarded industrial medals, industrial decorations, and presidential citations to 231 businesspeople who contributed to national economic development at the event. Sung Ki-hyung, Advisor of Hyundai Mobis, So Cheol-young, President of Lam Research Manufacturing Korea (hereinafter Lam Research), and Lee I-ju, CEO of Samdong, received the highest honor, the Gold Tower Industrial Medal. The Silver Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Choi Hae-tae, President of Geumchang, and Oh Jeong-gang, CEO of Enchem. The Bronze Tower Industrial Medal was given to Jeong Ki-ok, Chairman of LSC Food, and Yang Byung-ho, Vice President of POSCO. The Iron Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Cho Ik-seong, Vice Chairman of Dong-A Otsuka, and Joo Won-ho, Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, while the Stone Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Yang Seung-gwan, CEO of DuPont Specialty Materials Korea, and In Yoo-sung, President of Redcap Tour.
Industrial Decorations were awarded to six individuals including Park Young-joo, Vice President of Asung Daiso; Lee Seong-gyu, CEO of Arne Korea; Kim Yong-min, Executive Vice Chairman of Huseong Precision; Yoon Si-tak, CEO of Najun; Lee Seong-dong, CEO of A-FACT; and Seo Young-yul, Chairman of Pratama Abadi Industry. Additionally, 17 people including Lee Kwang-soo, CEO of BNS Teela, received the Presidential Citation; 16 people including Jeong Myung-jun, CEO of Cell Biotech, received the Prime Minister's Citation; and 150 people including Kim Jeong-eon, CEO of Seba, received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Citation, totaling 231 awardees honored.
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