SK Chairman Chey Tae-won: "I Will Deliberate for the Korea Chamber of Commerce and National Economy" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Temporary General Meeting of Seoul Chamber of Commerce on the 23rd, Inauguration as Chairman of Korea Chamber of Commerce at the End of March

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] SK Chairman Chey Tae-won expressed his thoughts on being appointed as the chairman of the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Seoul Chamber) on the 1st, saying, "I will consider what I can do for the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the national economy."

Chairman Chey made this remark regarding the results of the regular meeting of the Seoul Chamber held that day, expressing gratitude for the appointment.

The Seoul Chamber's board of directors unanimously agreed to appoint Chairman Chey as the sole candidate for the next chairman, considering comprehensively his past management achievements, global capabilities, leadership in ESG, and economic and social insights, emphasizing that the chairman of the Seoul Chamber should be a figure who can represent Korea's economic community both domestically and internationally. Accordingly, Chairman Chey will assume the position of KCCI chairman at the end of March, following the customary practice of holding both positions simultaneously.

Park Yong-man, chairman of the KCCI, explained the background of the appointment, saying, "Chairman Chey is the right person to foresee the future at this turning point as the Fourth Industrial Revolution era approaches," and added, "Since Chairman Chey often thinks deeply about coexistence, the environment, and social values, I believe he is the most suitable candidate at this time."

As the head of one of the four major conglomerates and the leader of an economic organization, Chairman Chey carries a heavy responsibility. His immediate priority is to convey the business community’s stance on key corporate regulatory bills such as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the profit-sharing system to the government. The KCCI, an economic organization comprising 180,000 businesspeople, has a large proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises, making the interests among member companies complex. He must skillfully mediate these interests to present a unified voice.

Based on the spirit of ‘business for national service’ emphasized by his father, he is also expected to actively stress corporate social responsibility. Former SK Chairman Chey Jong-hyun, who also served as chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), presided over board meetings despite his poor health following lung cancer surgery in September 1997 during the Asian financial crisis. He led the business community through difficult times by emphasizing the spirit of ‘business for national service.’ Chairman Chey is known to have accepted the KCCI chairmanship with a sense of mission amid the challenging business environment following COVID-19. Earlier this year, in his New Year’s address, he emphasized that "a ‘new entrepreneurial spirit’ that empathizes with society and works together to solve problems is needed."

A business community official said, "Chairman Chey, who has emphasized creating social value and mutual growth, is understood to have considered the role of economic organizations," adding, "He will strengthen communication with the government while also striving for coexistence between large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.