Choi Tae-won: "The Private Sector Should Act as a Partner, Not Just a Policy Advisor" (Comprehensive)

Chairman Chey Tae-won Emphasizes Private Sector Cooperation at the 49th Commerce Day Ceremony
Choi Yoon-ho, Samsung SDI CEO, and Others Awarded Gold Tower Industrial Medal... Total 221 Honored

Chairman Chey Tae-won of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended a meeting with President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and the heads of six economic organizations at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st, delivering a greeting./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "Now, the private sector must play the role of a partner, not just an advisor, in government policy."

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (and Chairman of SK Group), stated this on the 29th at the '49th Commerce Day Ceremony' held at the Chamber of Commerce building in Jung-gu, Seoul. He emphasized, "Just as previous generations created something out of nothing and achieved industrialization and democratization, now it is our turn to develop the economy and create a happy Korea for the people. The most important factor for this is public-private cooperation."

He continued, "If the public and private sectors become one team from the early stages of policy formulation and solve the challenges one by one, I believe positive changes will come to our society."

Commerce Day is a legally designated commemorative day established in 1964 to honor the efforts of businesspeople who contributed to national economic development and local communities. About 80 people attended the event, including Chairman Choi, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook, and award recipients.

Chairman Choi stated, "We businesspeople know better than anyone that past success does not guarantee future prosperity," adding, "Newly emerging challenges such as digital transformation and climate change are certainly high mountains we must overcome." He said, "Since these are common challenges faced worldwide, how we respond could turn them into opportunities. Rather than shrinking back, we must continue to create new paths through constant change and innovation, as we have done so far."

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy awarded industrial medals and other honors to 221 businesspeople and workers who contributed to economic development at the event. This year's Gold Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to those who realized technological independence in materials, parts, and equipment, developed world-class products, and practiced ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management. Choi Yoon-ho, CEO of Samsung SDI, Ko Seok-tae, Chairman of KC Corporation, and Lee Sang-yul, CEO of Chunbo, received the highest honor, the Gold Tower Industrial Medal.

Chairman Choi was recognized for leading Samsung to maintain the world's No. 1 position in the smartphone sector for 10 years and topping the global TV market for 15 consecutive years, despite the prolonged global economic downturn caused by COVID-19. He was highly praised for contributing to quality job creation through the establishment of the Samsung Software Academy For Youth (SSAFY) and for proactively responding to future environmental changes by establishing a Robot Center and an Integrated Big Data Center. Leading Samsung Electronics' 'Sustainable Management Council,' he spearheaded the creation of a win-win ecosystem and ESG management, including support funds for small and medium-sized partner companies struggling due to COVID-19. After moving to Samsung SDI as CEO at the end of last year, he has emphasized 'superior technology and quality competitiveness' in future growth businesses such as batteries and electronic materials.

Chairman Ko Seok-tae was recognized for achieving 100% localization of semiconductor equipment and materials, contributing to the stable supply of domestic products at half the price of previously imported goods. CEO Lee Sang-yul was evaluated as having contributed to enhancing national industrial competitiveness by localizing display materials, which were previously entirely imported, for the first time in Korea.

The Silver Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Hwang Gak-gyu, Senior Advisor of Lotte Holdings, and Kim Gyeon, Vice President of Kia. Senior Advisor Hwang was recognized for leading innovation across various business areas of the Lotte Group over 42 years, and Vice President Kim was praised for increasing sales and brand value through Kia's new growth strategy.

The Bronze Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Yang Won-jun, Vice President of POSCO, and Byun Dae-su, President of Taeyoung Industry. The Iron Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Shin Dong-guk, Chairman of Hanyang Precision, and the Stone Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Park Ki-chul, President of Samyoung Ink Paint Manufacturing, and Choi Ui-yeol, CEO of Bodytech Med.

The Industrial Service Medal was awarded to six individuals: Koo Ja-woong, Chairman of Postech Electronics; Lee Kang-hoon, Vice President of Korea Glass Industry; Yoon Soon-ja, Chairwoman of Inhwa Precision; Noh Hyang-seon, CEO of Nowcos; Shin Jae-beom, Vice President of Daehan Shipbuilding; and Jang Bok-sang, CEO of CJ Vietnam. Sixteen people, including Kim Gyu-sik, Chairman of Dintec, received the Presidential Citation, and sixteen others, including Hwang Jong-seok, CEO of Gangwon Steel, received the Prime Minister's Citation, with a total of 221 businesspeople and workers honored with awards.

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