Sambo Motors, Pyeonghwa Industry, Daedong, and Midaworks Win 'Daegu Industry Awards'... Daegu Chamber Holds New Year's Meeting

The Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chairman Yoonkyung Park) held the "2026 New Year's Meeting for the Business Community" at EXCO at 4:30 p.m. on January 6, reaffirming unity and a commitment to progress for the regional economy in the new year.

The event was attended by over 350 key figures driving Daegu's economy, including Kim Jeonggi, Acting Mayor of Daegu, heads of major institutions, university presidents, media executives, chamber members, economic organization leaders, and businesspeople. The gathering aimed to strengthen the resolve for regional economic development and boost the morale of entrepreneurs.

(From left) Unhak Choi, Executive Director of Sambo Motors; Sunyong Hwang, CEO of Pyeonghwa Industry; Yoonkyung Park, Chairman of Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Minjung Park, CEO of Midaworks; Taewon Hwang, Head of Daedong Division

In addition, the "2026 Daegu Industry Awards," which honor the contributions of businesspeople to the advancement of commerce and the regional economy, were presented in four categories: management, technology, labor-management harmony, and startups. The recipients were Jaeha Lee, Chairman of Sambo Motors, in the management category; Sunyong Hwang and Jooyoung Kim, CEOs of Pyeonghwa Industry, in the technology category; Joonsik Kim, Chairman of Daedong, in the labor-management harmony category; and Minjung Park, CEO of Midaworks, in the startup category.

Sambo Motors, which received the management award, has established a research and development system focused on eco-friendly and next-generation vehicles, and has strengthened its global competitiveness based on core technologies such as hydrogen and electrification components. The company's continuous investment in research and development and smart manufacturing innovation has enabled it to secure both productivity and quality competitiveness, leading the transition to high value-added manufacturing in the region-a contribution that was highly praised.

Pyeonghwa Industry, which received the technology award, has developed core technologies in-house to improve process efficiency and productivity, while simultaneously enhancing quality competitiveness and technological independence. The company's proactive response to the transition toward future vehicles and eco-friendly industries, and its contribution to strengthening industrial competitiveness, were particularly noted.

Daedong, the recipient of the labor-management harmony award, has achieved stable sales growth and expansion into overseas markets, while establishing an advanced corporate culture based on labor-management harmony and implementing a sustainable growth model. The company's efforts to expand local talent employment and pursue mutually beneficial management with partner companies were recognized as contributions to creating a virtuous cycle in the regional economy.

Midaworks, which received the startup award, has led the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises and local industries with its proprietary technologies in AI, security, and SaaS. Through the commercialization of local AI technology and a high degree of technological independence, the company has delivered tangible results in a short period, serving as a model of innovative startups in Daegu.

In his New Year's address, Yoonkyung Park, Chairman of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, "The year 2026, the Year of the Byeongo, is a crucial turning point for Daegu's economy to achieve a new leap forward." He emphasized, "Despite the challenges posed by an uncertain global economic environment and industrial restructuring, local companies are continuously innovating and taking on challenges to generate new growth engines."

Chairman Park continued, "The Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to listen more closely to the voices of businesses on the ground and focus all our capabilities on fostering new industries, strengthening corporate competitiveness, and nurturing local talent. By uniting as one, the regional business community can turn crises into opportunities and build a foundation for sustainable growth together. I hope today’s gathering will not only serve as a simple New Year’s greeting, but also as a starting point for envisioning the future of Daegu’s economy together. I call on everyone in the business community to pool their wisdom and strength for Daegu’s economic resurgence."

In his congratulatory remarks, Kim Jeonggi, Acting Mayor of Daegu, said, "Despite the changes brought about by the launch of the new government and the acting mayor system last year, we laid the groundwork for a major industrial transformation in Daegu, including the designation of a global innovation zone for robotics and the approval of the preliminary feasibility study for the second national industrial complex." He added, "We will accelerate industrial transformation centered on AI, robotics, and future mobility, and create a business-friendly environment and a competitive city where young people choose to stay."