New Opportunities for the Gumi Industrial Complex
Amid Changing Consumer Trends in "Trend Korea 2026"
The Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in North Gyeongsang Province (Chairman Yoon Jaeho) and Kumoh National Institute of Technology (President Kwak Hosang) jointly hosted the "2025 Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry × Kumoh National Institute of Technology Manufacturing Innovation Open Forum" on October 28. The event took place in the main auditorium on the second floor of the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with over 220 participants, including Chairman Yoon Jaeho, President Kwak Hosang, heads of various organizations, members of the chamber, representatives and employees of member companies, and members of the media.
The event began with a breakfast, followed by the introduction of guests and greetings, lectures, a presentation by Kwon Ohyung, Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, on the university’s role and direction of support, and a presentation of outstanding corporate innovation cases by Shin Sunwoo, Director of the Research Institute at PNT Co., Ltd.
In his lecture, Dr. Seo Yuhyun addressed the theme, "Trend Korea 2026: New Opportunities for the Gumi Industrial Complex Amid Changing Consumer Trends." He focused on "HORSE POWER," the ten key consumer trend keywords, and presented directions for manufacturing innovation that companies in the Gumi Industrial Complex should pursue amid rapidly changing consumer trends.
The "2025 Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry × Kumoh National Institute of Technology Manufacturing Innovation Open Forum" is currently underway. Photo by Kim Ihwan
He particularly emphasized that, while the 1970s and 1980s were eras of quantity, the 1990s focused on quality, and the 2000s have become an era of class, a deep understanding of changing consumer values is now essential. He stressed that companies in the Gumi Industrial Complex must swiftly incorporate these changes into their overall business plans and establish responsive strategies.
He also explained the core keywords of "Trend Korea 2026"-such as AI, Pixel Life, Price Decoding, Philconomy, Ready Core, and Fundamentalism-highlighting the evolving consumer trends and resonating with the audience.
Yoon Jaeho, Chairman of the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, "I hope today's forum serves as a catalyst for Gumi-based companies to read the latest consumer trend changes and further enhance their manufacturing competitiveness. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen industry-academic cooperation between the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kumoh National Institute of Technology."
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