[New Year’s Address] Woori Financial Chairman Jongryong Lim: "Leap Forward with Productive Finance, AX, and Synergy"

Uncertainty in Domestic and Global Management Environments: "We Must Consider Change"
Emphasizing Competitiveness in the Three Pillars of Finance: Banking, Insurance, and Securities

Jongryong Lim, Chairman of Woori Financial Group. Photo by Woori Financial Group

Jongryong Lim, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, emphasized on January 2 that, “We must leap forward as a leading financial group under the clear direction of ‘productive finance, artificial intelligence transformation (AX), and synergy.’”

In his New Year’s address, Chairman Lim stated, “Rather than settling for familiar methods, we must stay one step ahead in reading changes and constantly consider what the better choice is.”

He explained, “Uncertainties in both domestic and international management environments persist, and it is difficult to predict the directions of key variables such as exchange rates and interest rates. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the entry into a super-aged society, and changes in systems and policies are all new waves that strongly demand a fundamental structural improvement across the financial industry.”

Chairman Lim added that he has established productive finance, AX leadership, and synergy creation as the three main strategic directions.

Regarding productive finance, he said, “We will provide broad support for companies across all stages of growth through investment and financing,” and added, “We will make this a core strength that enables Woori Financial Group to take the lead and will push forward at a rapid pace.”

On the group-wide AX initiative, Chairman Lim stated, “A new financial ecosystem is rapidly emerging as AI innovation is combined with the institutionalization of digital assets such as stablecoins and security token offerings (STOs). We will further advance the group’s AI capabilities and strengthen our future competitiveness in the field of digital new businesses.”

He further emphasized, “This year marks a new starting point for us as a comprehensive financial group with banking, insurance, and securities all under one roof. We will strengthen our competitiveness and accelerate sustainable growth based on synergy.”

Additionally, Chairman Lim said, “Let us become a financial group that stands out not only in speed and direction but also in ‘depth,’ so that our path can lead new trends in the financial industry. Let’s open this path together with the strong confidence of being one team.”