Son Kyung-sik "Coupang Applies for Membership in Korea Employers Federation... Will Collaborate with Various Member Companies"

The Willingness to Integrate with Jeonggyeongryeon Remains Strong

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, is delivering the opening remarks at the symposium titled "Anti-Business Sentiment in Korea: Diagnosis of Causes and Improvement Measures" held on the 1st at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF), confirmed that Coupang, which recently succeeded in listing on the New York Stock Exchange, has officially applied for membership, stating, "We plan to work together with various member companies in the future."

Chairman Sohn made these remarks after attending the symposium titled "Diagnosis and Improvement Measures for Deepening Anti-Business Sentiment," hosted by KEF at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon. He emphasized the intention to continuously promote the membership of various innovative companies related not only to e-commerce but also to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Chairman Sohn's comments are interpreted as aligning with KEF's plan to establish its status as a comprehensive economic organization. On the same day, KEF restructured its organization to reflect rapidly changing business conditions such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and industrial restructuring by creating new teams for regulatory reform and wage & HR. The existing Corporate Management Team was also renamed the Future Innovation Team to proactively respond to changes in future industrial structures.

When asked by reporters about KEF's major issues this year, Chairman Sohn mentioned "resolving anti-business sentiment and labor-related issues." In his opening remarks at the symposium, he also stated, "It is now a national task to accurately view and fairly evaluate companies to enhance the competitiveness of both companies and the nation."

Regarding the question about integration with the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), he said, "I think it would be better (to integrate)," adding, "It won't happen all at once; we plan to discuss it steadily." Earlier, Chairman Sohn revealed that he proposed integration to FKI in February last year, along with suggestions for resolving various economic issues and establishing a think tank. In response, FKI drew a line, stating, "It is not the appropriate time."

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