Yim Jong-ryong, chairman of Woori Financial Group, used his New Year's address to stress a leap forward into a leading financial group under a clear direction of "productive finance, artificial intelligence transition (AX), and synergy." In his address on Jan. 2, Yim said, "Rather than settling for familiar ways, we must stay a step ahead to read change and constantly consider what the better choice is," and stated accordingly.
Yim said, "Uncertainty in the internal and external management environment remains, and it is not easy to gauge the direction of key variables such as exchange rates and interest rates," adding, "New waves and changes, including advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the entry into a super-aged society, and shifts in systems and policies, are strongly demanding a fundamental overhaul across the financial industry." He also added that the group established three strategic priorities: productive finance, leading AX, and generating synergy.
On productive finance, the theme of this year, he said, "We will provide broad support through investment and loan across all stages of corporations' growth," and added, "We will make this a core strength that allows Woori Financial to move ahead and push forward with speed."
Regarding a groupwide push for AX, Yim said, "A new financial ecosystem is rapidly emerging as the institutionalization of digital assets such as stablecoins and security token offerings (STOs) is added to AI innovation," and stated, "We will advance the group's AI capabilities and further strengthen our future competitiveness in new digital businesses."
Yim emphasized, "This year marks a new starting point as a comprehensive financial group fully equipped with banking, insurance, and securities," adding, "We will solidify our competitiveness and accelerate sustainable growth based on synergy."
Yim also added, "Let us become a distinctive financial group not only in speed and direction but also in 'depth,' so that the path we take can lead a new trend in the financial industry," and said, "With strong confidence as one team, let us open that path together."