Park Yongjun of Samjin Fishcake Wins 2025 Korea CEO Award

Innovation and Global Expansion
Breathing New Life into the Fishcake Industry

Park Yongjun, CEO of Samjin Fishcake, received the 55th '2025 Korea CEO Award' at the 'Korea CEO Award' ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel on May 23.

Marking its 55th anniversary this year, the 'Korea CEO Award' is presented by the Korea Management Association, which has been selecting and honoring respected business leaders who have contributed to the development of the Korean economy since 1969. The award is given to innovative leaders who have made a positive impact across various industries.

CEO Park is a third-generation leader of the Samjin Fishcake brand, which was founded in 1953. Through innovative product development and diversification of distribution channels, he has transformed the fishcake industry?once considered a declining sector?into the broader 'processed seafood food' industry, driving the company's continued growth. He has also played a key role in expanding the overall scale of the fishcake industry and enhancing its competitiveness.

In particular, Park recently developed new types of products utilizing seafood protein, the core ingredient of fishcake. In January, he showcased these products at 'CES 2025,' the world's largest IT and consumer electronics exhibition, thereby widely promoting the global potential of fishcake.

Despite his young age, Park has been highly praised for revitalizing a stagnant industry with deep insight and bold execution. He has continuously led change for the advancement of the fishcake industry. By aiming to expand the value of 'K-Fishcake' beyond Korea to the global market and presenting a new paradigm for the fishcake industry, he was honored with this award.

In his acceptance speech, Park Yongjun stated, "I believe that Samjin Fishcake has become what it is today because we did not succumb to the inherent limitations of the industry and maintained faith in the infinite potential of fishcake. Looking ahead to our 100th anniversary in 30 years, I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that fishcake becomes established as a part of global food culture."

Samjin Fishcake was previously recognized for its long-standing tradition and corporate history by receiving the 'Minister of SMEs and Startups Award' at the '2024 Korea 100-Year Enterprise' event hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Additionally, the company has ranked first for five consecutive years in the processed seafood food category of the '27th Korea Brand Power Index (K-BPI)' survey, and secured the top spot in the fishcake category of the '2025 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards,' further solidifying its status as Korea's leading fishcake brand.