From left, Han Kyung-rok, president of Hansol Paper; Lee Do-gyun, president of Moorim Group; Lee Dong-yeol, president of KleanNara; Yoo Seung-hwan, president of Asia Paper; Moon Sung-woon, president of Papercorea; Shim Cheol-sik, president of Jeonju Paper; Choi Hyun-soo, chairman of the Korea Paper Association; Jung Yeon-su, vice chairman of AJIN P&P; Cho Han-je, executive vice president of Daehan Paper; Lee Kyung-sun, executive vice president of Koryo Paper; Jung Dong-ha, CEO of Tailim Paper; and Kwon Taek-hwan, vice chairman of Shindaeyang Paper. /Courtesy of Korea Paper Association

The Korea Paper Manufacturers Association said on the 8th it held the "2026 paper and pulp industry New Year's gathering" at The Riverside Hotel in Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, on the 7th.

About 100 people, including key executives from domestic paper companies and officials from related organizations and academia, attended the event, including Vice Chair Jeong Yeon-su of Ajin P&P, Vice Chair Gwon Taek-hwan of Shindaeyang Paper, President Lee Do-gyun of Moorim Group, President Han Gyeong-rok of Hansol Paper, President Lee Dong-yeol of KleanNara, President Sim Cheol-sik of Jeonju Paper, President Yu Seung-hwan of Asia Paper, President Moon Seong-un of Papercorea, and CEO Jeong Dong-ha of Tailim Paper. The attendees pledged unity and cooperation across the industry and wished for a leap forward in the Year of Byeongo.

Chair Choi Hyeon-su of the Korea Paper Manufacturers Association, in a New Year's address, said, "Last year was a year of struggle to protect the industry despite difficult business conditions, including global economic uncertainty, high interest rates, and stronger tariff barriers."

Choi went on to present "establishing a foundation for sustainable growth" as the top priority for the paper and pulp industry this year, outlining four key tasks: ▲ maximizing efficiency across all processes using AI and data ▲ expanding the value of paper through development of eco-friendly new materials ▲ advancing as core infrastructure of the circular economy ▲ embedding a culture that puts safety management first.

Choi said, "Based on high recycling rates, the paper industry should become a key pillar of national resource circulation and energy policy by converting waste resources into energy," adding, "Let's make this a year when the industry, with one heart, proves 'value beyond paper.'"

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