Three Gwangju Companies Honored at Korea Distribution Awards

Lotte Shopping Gwangju Branch Receives Prime Minister's Commendation
Changuk and Green Pharmaceutical Awarded Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy's Commendation

(From left) Daewon Kim, Gwangju Branch Manager of Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd., Jeonghee Kim, CEO of Green Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Cheolhan Lim, CEO of Changuk Co., Ltd.

The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on December 26 that three companies from the Gwangju region were recognized for their contributions to the development of the distribution industry and received commendations at the 30th Korea Distribution Awards ceremony.

At this year's Korea Distribution Awards, Daewon Kim, Gwangju Branch Manager of Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd., received the Prime Minister's Commendation, while Cheolhan Lim, CEO of Changuk Co., Ltd., and Jeonghee Kim, CEO of Green Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., were awarded the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy's Commendation.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Korea Distribution Awards has been recognizing companies and individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the domestic distribution industry, with the honor of receiving awards going to outstanding companies and contributors selected through a rigorous screening process.

Daewon Kim, Gwangju Branch Manager of Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd., who received the Prime Minister's Commendation, was recognized for his role as a luxury and K-fashion product planning expert who has led distribution trends for over 20 years, driving department store growth and innovation in customer experience, as well as making significant contributions to regional coexistence and social contribution.

After taking office as Gwangju branch manager this year, he contributed to expanding consumer choice in the region by attracting the first IKEA pop-up store in the Gwangju and Jeolla area, and has taken the lead in supporting growth by consistently operating pop-up stores for local small businesses and brands. His contributions to revitalizing the eastern commercial district through various promotions and planning events were also highly praised.

Cheolhan Lim, CEO of Changuk Co., Ltd., who received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy's Commendation, was recognized for growing a rice cake mill with a 34-year history into a specialized rice cake company over the past 25 years, modernizing traditional rice cakes, and leading a healthy food culture.

He has maintained a principle of prioritizing the procurement of domestic glutinous and non-glutinous rice, and has contributed to creating a sustainable food and distribution coexistence model by establishing collaborative systems with local farms, thereby improving farmers' actual income and maintaining the agricultural production base, going beyond simple purchasing.

Jeonghee Kim, CEO of Green Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., was highly praised for contributing to public health over the past 40 years through advancements in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, the introduction of new drugs, and efforts in coexistence and social contribution. By utilizing domestic and international networks, she has quickly introduced new and improved drugs, expanding treatment opportunities for patients, and has enhanced the reliability of product supply and contributed to the stabilization of the regional medical system through the stabilization of pharmaceutical and diagnostic reagent supply chains and the introduction of digital inventory management.

Hansangwon, Chairman of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, "We are delighted that local companies are practicing the values of innovation and coexistence in their respective fields and achieving meaningful results," and added, "We will continue to actively discover and support companies and contributors who lead the sustainable growth of the distribution industry and the revitalization of the local economy."