Planting Startup DNA in a Publishing House for 56 Years

Interview with Bae Yoon-hee, Head of Platform Business Division at Geumseong Publishing
Preparing a platform leveraging existing strengths like encyclopedia digital transformation
Launching new businesses with early childhood and silver content based on K-12 education
Securing future growth through investment and collaboration with various startup technologies

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Educational publishing company Geumseong Publishing has recently undertaken a major organizational restructuring to improve its operational framework. The company simplified its job ranks into three levels and reorganized its product-centered structure into a function-centered one. New teams, including the New Growth Development Team and the Digital Content Team, were launched to secure future growth engines. The role of Bae Yoonhee, Head of the Platform Business Division, was significant in Geumseong Publishing's transformative steps after 56 years since its founding. Having been in charge of startup investments at the crowdfunding platform Wadiz, she explained, “We are in the process of instilling startup DNA into a 56-year-old company,” adding, “We are preparing a new platform through digital transformation while preserving the company's history and strengths.”

Geumseong Publishing, which operates Purunet with 3,000 study rooms nationwide and 100,000 members, has been actively entering the edutech business since last year. Although it was a latecomer compared to competitors, it is expanding its domain with AI-based e-learning and personalized learning systems. Head Bae stated, “We are preparing to launch interactive content in the metaverse space where students ask questions through modules and teachers respond,” and added, “This year, we plan to carry out projects such as digitizing and vividly implementing encyclopedias, which are part of the content Geumseong Publishing has accumulated over a long time.”

Another notable aspect is the expansion of the business structure, which was previously focused on elementary and secondary education, into early childhood and silver (senior) markets. Noticing the similarities between early childhood and silver content during program development, Geumseong Publishing is currently developing a complex program that integrates dementia prevention, community functions, and health management features.

Geumseong Publishing is also exploring new business opportunities through collaborations with various startups. Head Bae said, “During the non-face-to-face hosting of the 9th English Buddy Speaking Contest last year to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we introduced AI speaking evaluation technology owned by the startup Edutem for judging, which led to more precise assessments,” adding, “We are securing future revenue sources through investments and collaborations with startups in various fields.”

Head Bae cited the strength of Geumseong Publishing’s content as its textbook production. She emphasized, “The advantage Geumseong has as a textbook publisher is the ability to produce learner-customized content that perfectly matches the curriculum-based learning,” and added, “We are enhancing interactive elements that strengthen communication with learners and are making various investments, including expanding personnel, to broaden e-commerce that can introduce more products based on this.”

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