First Schedule as Chairman of the Federation... Choi Tae-won Expands His Reach

Role Adjustment of ESG Management Team
Letter to Chambers of Commerce Worldwide on "Strengthening Cooperation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, who was elected as the 24th Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) (photo), held an official inauguration ceremony on the 29th and began his activities as the head of the business community in earnest.

After the inauguration ceremony in the afternoon, Chairman Choi carried out official duties such as a town hall meeting and an inauguration luncheon. Since this is the first time that the head of one of the four major domestic conglomerates has taken the chairmanship, there is an expectation that Chairman Choi will lead the KCCI, whose status has risen, and represent the interests of the economic community. Chairman Choi told the press on the day, "As the new chairman, I have just taken my first steps on this journey, and I intend to work hard with a new determination so that it will bear good fruit."

During his term, Chairman Choi is expected to focus on spreading the social value and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management philosophy emphasized by SK Group throughout the entire economic sector. In line with Chairman Choi’s inauguration, the KCCI adjusted the role of the Corporate Culture Team within the Industrial Research Headquarters to become the ESG Management Team. It is in the same context that President Lee Hyung-hee, who serves as the Chairman of the Social Value (SV) Committee of the SK Group’s highest decision-making body, the SUPEX Council, accompanied him at the inauguration as KCCI chairman. The establishment of a Regional Economy Team to bridge the gap between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas is also aimed at realizing social value.

Along with this, a new Tax Policy Team specializing in tax issues was newly established under the Economic Headquarters, and the existing International Headquarters was renamed to include Trade, making Chairman Choi’s influence more distinct.

Chairman Choi also sent a letter on the day to strengthen cooperation with over 130 chambers of commerce worldwide, recognizing the need to derive proper policy advice amid the creation of a new trade order. Given that trade transactions and mutual exchanges are proceeding differently from the past due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this reflects his determination that economic organizations must do what they can to help companies adapt well to the changed business environment. He proposed exchange events between China and Japan, countries with significant economic exchanges but whose bilateral exchange events have not been promoted for 2 to 3 years for various reasons.

He also emphasized communication both internally and externally. Since there have been criticisms that the voices of businesspeople were not properly reflected in the process of creating economic policies or systems, he expressed his intention to actively engage not only with the government and political circles but also with KCCI branches nationwide and employees. The inauguration ceremony itself was held in a town hall format to listen to the voices of various sectors and employees rather than unilaterally conveying his own thoughts.

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