Hanwha Group marked its 73rd anniversary on the 9th. Kim Seung-youn, chairman of Hanwha Group, said in a founding-day address that "our goal is now global leadership," adding, "we must become leaders in each field with a sense of responsibility as a national team of corporations."
To that end, Chairman Kim stressed that the successful experience and know-how in shipbuilding and defense should be spread across Hanwha Group as a whole. In shipbuilding, Hanwha Group has become the core of South Korea-U.S. cooperation in the sector by acquiring the U.S. Philly Shipyard. In defense, it established local subsidiaries in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East to lay the groundwork for expanding exports. Kim said, "All domestic and overseas environments surrounding us are changing rapidly. This is a time that requires more prudent judgment and bold action than ever," adding, "a good example is the acquisition of the U.S. Philly Shipyard, which drew attention on the occasion of the South Korea-U.S. summit. The balance of prudence and decisiveness is the essence of business success."
Kim also emphasized securing fundamental technologies in core business areas such as defense, shipbuilding, energy, and machinery, saying, "the shortcut for a latecomer to rise to a leader is to secure new fundamental technologies." The point is that the future is assured only by securing fundamental technologies in areas such as AI defense unmanned aerial vehicle sensors and propulsion power, advanced aircraft engines, and ultra-high-efficiency renewable energy to build overwhelming competitiveness in the market. Kim stressed a pioneering spirit that forges new paths, saying, "only with challenges and dedication that do not fear failure can we reach fundamental technologies."
Kim also encouraged employees, saying that Hanwha Group, founded 73 years ago on the belief of serving the nation through business, has now risen as a corporations with 100 trillion won in market capitalization that plays a central role in negotiations between countries. As of Sept. 30, Hanwha Group's market cap stood at 127.007 trillion won, nearly triple from the start of the year.
However, Kim warned, "we must completely discard the habit of complacency," adding, "the moment we fall into our changed status and evaluations and follow conventions is the very beginning of a crisis." He also quoted the phrase "haengbaekrija ban-gusip (行百里者半九十)" from the Jin policy chapter of the Warring States period history "Strategies of the Warring States," saying, "there is still a long way to go. With the mindset that 90 li on a 100-li journey is only halfway, we must prepare for Hanwha's next 100 and 200 years."
Kim also emphasized safety. "Behavior follows only when perception changes," Kim said, adding, "let's set a firm standard that safety is the top priority and continuously improve safety facilities and processes." Finally, Kim said, "I hope Hanwha becomes a home that nurtures and realizes the dreams of all members of the Hanwha family," emphasizing, "every employee is both Hanwha's present and future, and its owner."