The top 10 corporations in the country used the keyword 'competition' the most in their 2025 New Year's addresses. This is interpreted as reflecting their willingness to overcome crises by enhancing technological competitiveness amid increased uncertainty due to the impeachment controversy, high exchange rates, and inflation, as well as the inauguration of Donald Trump's second administration.
According to the analysis by CEO Score at the Corporate Data Research Center on the 3rd, the most frequently mentioned keywords in the New Year's addresses of the top 10 corporations were 'competition,' which includes competitiveness and competitors, and 'customer,' each mentioned 41 times.
Among the top 10 corporations, POSCO was the most frequent user of the term 'competition.' As the steel industry's downturn prolongs, it seems they are emphasizing the need to strengthen competitiveness. Jeong In-hwa, chairman of POSCO Group, stated in his New Year's address, 'The key to the group's competitiveness lies in securing absolute superiority in technology,' adding, 'In the steel business, we must create sustainable competitiveness by generating tangible results in overseas growth investment and carbon neutrality, as well as implementing structural innovation in costs.' He noted that Shinsegae (12 times), SK (6 times), and Hanwha (5 times) also frequently mentioned 'competition.'
LG Group has used the term 'customer' the most in their New Year's addresses over the past four years. Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, remarked in this year's New Year's address, 'With the DNA of challenge and change, we will provide values that are essential and exceed expectations for future customers,' and urged, 'Let us build a future that cannot be imagined without LG on the foundation of our sincere commitment to customers and innovation.'
'Future' (35 times), 'growth' (32 times), 'innovation' (31 times), and 'global' (29 times) were also frequently mentioned in New Year's addresses. Many corporations cited 'technology' (27 times) as a keyword, with POSCO (10 times), HD Hyundai (8 times), and Samsung (5 times) notably using it.
Samsung mentioned 'technology' the most in this year's New Year's address. Han Jong-hee and Jeon Young-hyun, vice chairpersons of Samsung Electronics, emphasized, 'Let's lay the groundwork for a resurgence based on super-gap technological leadership and secure new growth engines.'
The ranking of artificial intelligence (AI) jumped from 18th place last year to 9th this year. SK Group mentioned AI 12 times in their New Year's address. Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, noted, 'The rapid growth of the AI industry and the restructuring of global industry and markets are undeniable trends,' and stated, 'To enhance the group's core business capabilities using AI, all members must strengthen their ability to apply AI in their actual work.'
In contrast, the previously high interest in 'eco-friendliness,' which aligned with the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) management trend last year, has disappeared from the top 10 keywords this year.