Samyang Group Holds 100th Anniversary Ceremony for Honorary Chairman Kim Sang-hong

Samyang Group held a commemorative ceremony on the 25th at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Honorary Chairman Namryeong Kim Sang-hong.

The ceremony was themed "Always with a Consistent Heart," the title of the autobiography published in 1999 to reflect on Chairman Kim’s achievements and management philosophy. About 200 people attended, including Samyang Group clients, foundation officials, current and former executives, and distinguished guests from related organizations.

Kim Yoon, Chairman of Samyang Holdings, is giving a greeting speech at the 100th birth anniversary ceremony of the late Namryeong Kim Sang-hong, Honorary Chairman, held on the 25th at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

Samyang Group compiled and dedicated a photo book to honor Chairman Kim’s achievements. The photo book is composed of four sections: his life and philosophy, his management activities and vision as an entrepreneur, letters from family members, and stories remembered by acquaintances. Kim Gun-ho, Head of Management at Samyang Holdings, represented the dedication.

A separate photo exhibition showcasing Chairman Kim’s achievements, biography, and spirit of sharing was set up at the venue, allowing attendees to freely view and remember his legacy.

Chairman Kim was the third son of Su-dang Kim Yeon-su, the founder of Samyang Group. He joined Samyang Corporation in 1947 and practiced industrial patriotism until his passing in May 2010 at the age of 87. Upholding the Confucian virtue of moderation taught by his predecessor, Chairman Kim was respected in the business community and society for his humble character and upright conduct, avoiding greed and extremes throughout his life.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Chairman Kim expanded into the sugar industry and polyester fiber business, contributing to solving the public’s basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter, as well as to economic development. He later broadened the business scope to food and chemical materials such as starch sugar, TPA (a raw material for chemical fibers), and polycarbonate, a type of engineering plastic.

Beyond his business activities, Chairman Kim served as president of the Korea Sugar Refiners Association, vice chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, and vice chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (now the Korea Economic Association), contributing to the advancement of the business sector. After retiring from active management, he devoted himself to nurturing talent and academic development as chairman of the Yang Young Foundation, Su-dang Foundation, and Ha-seo Academic Foundation. In recognition of his contributions, the Korean government and society awarded him honors including the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the Korean Entrepreneur Award, and the Yoo Il-han Award.

Chairman Kim is survived by two sons and two daughters, including his eldest son Kim Yoon, chairman of Samyang Holdings, and his second son Kim Ryang, vice chairman of Samyang Corporation.

Kim Yoon, chairman of Samyang Holdings, said, "My father was a person who not only led the business achievements that drove the development and growth of Samyang Group but also emphasized corporate social responsibility and sought to contribute to national development through righteous principles. We will inherit the philosophy and legacy he left behind and walk the path of righteousness toward the future."

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