Women Leaders Forum Selects 29 Outstanding “Power K-Women” of the Year
The Driving Force Behind a Period of Great Transformation
The Power of “Small Routines” Proven in the Field
The 2025 Women Leaders Forum has selected this year’s 29 “Power K-Women.” Like the crisp air of early winter, these women have driven change in their respective fields with clear and powerful messages. Since 2022, The Asia Business Daily has been recognizing “Power K-Women”; with 118 women honored up to last year, and 29 more added this year, the total now stands at 147. The principle remains unchanged. “Not because they are famous, but because they are effective.”
The selection criteria for Power K-Women remain consistent. Based on indicators such as innovation, creativity, pioneering spirit, inclusivity, dedication, and work-life balance, the focus is on genuine social impact rather than fame. The direction of their achievements is valued over glamorous resumes, and the ripple effects on society are prioritized over personal narratives.
![[2025 Women Leaders Forum] Female Power Becomes a Compass in a Time of Great Transformation](https://cphoto.asiae.co.kr/listimglink/1/2025110514275695886_1762320476.jpg)
Keyword of the Year｜The Driving Force Behind Transformation
The keyword running through this year’s Power K-Women is “the driving force of a great transition.” Across technology, public service, finance, education, and culture, these women have proven the conditions for sustainable change. They answered with methods instead of words, and with routines instead of slogans.
Technology & Innovation｜Technology for People
Kim Minseon, Director of the Human-Centered Production Technology Research Center at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, asserts that “the ultimate destination of technology must always be people.” In the field, where safety and standards are at stake, she responds with routines of field observation and validation through certified standards. Park Sookyung, Professor at KAIST, says, “Policy is a relay.” She emphasizes that only when strategic investment, synergy, and an R&D ecosystem are connected, can long-term growth be achieved. She encourages junior researchers, saying, “Persevere even if things get tough, your time will come.” Lee Yeonsu, CEO of NC AI, highlights diversity in technological leadership, stating, “There is ample room for women in AI. Dream boldly.”
Education & Society｜Seeing Each Individual to the End
Teacher Yoon Hyejeong says, “I make sure that school does not become just a place for grades, but a space where each student is seen through to the end.” Choi Hojung, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, summarizes her work of translating the value of care into institutional language as “a re-evaluation of the value of domestic and care work.”
Business & Leadership｜Putting People at the Center
Park Hyunnam, CEO of Deutsche Bank Korea (President of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry), firmly states, “Good leadership puts people at the center,” and advocates for a speak-up culture to drive qualitative growth in organizations. Oh Hyunju, Attorney at Kwangjang Law Firm, emphasizes the importance of internalizing standards, saying, “Don’t simply replicate others’ paths; set your own goals through self-reflection.” Kim Minjung, CEO of Mother-K, operates a routine of immediately reflecting on reviews from all channels every Monday, believing that “small differences can change mothers’ daily lives.” Nam Mikyung, CEO of Hanmandu Foods, sums up her product standards in one sentence: “Would I recommend this to my own family?”
Culture & Sports｜Unwavering Principles
Jun Younga, Chair of the Referee Committee at the Korea Volleyball Federation, says, “The pride of my 20-year career as a referee comes from unwavering principles.” Writer Yoo Seonkyoung asks, “While making reasonable compromises with reality, what can I learn from this?” until the very end. Writer Baek Mikyung defines her creative compass as follows: “AI can gather information, but only humans can deliver emotion.” Her key themes are money, desire, and “mother.” “A writer is someone who looks directly at human deficiency”-this is her credo.
Below are the 29 members of the 2025 Women Leaders Forum “Power K-Women” (in alphabetical order)
![[2025 Women Leaders Forum] Female Power Becomes a Compass in a Time of Great Transformation](https://cphoto.asiae.co.kr/listimglink/1/2025110514533895942_1762322018.jpg)
Power K-Women: One Sentence from the Field
“Technology must exist and be used for humanity.”
“Policy is a relay-investment, synergy, and R&D must be connected.”
“Putting people at the center-a speak-up culture grows organizations.”
“School should be a place for learning, not just a grade counter.”
“Monday reviews reflected immediately-small differences change daily life.”
“AI provides data, but emotion is human-look directly at deficiency.”
Though brief, these firm statements serve as a compass in times of great transition. The Asia Business Daily will continue to walk alongside these women as a platform supporting the growth and connection of the next generation of women leaders.
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