Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized that the grit and execution of businesspeople laid the foundation for today's Korean economy.
Chey said this at the 53rd Commerce Day ceremony held on Mar. 31 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, noting, "In 1974, when the first Commerce Day event was held, energy supplies were unstable and prices were soaring due to the first oil shock, but senior businesspeople devoted themselves to technological innovation and productivity improvements."
About 400 people attended the event, including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok; Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI); award recipients and their families; and officials.
Chey said that although the Korean economy is struggling due to recent events such as the war between the United States and Iran, it can overcome the difficulties through the resilience of businesspeople.
Chey emphasized, "Korea has always shown its mettle at the most difficult moments," adding, "At a time when there was neither capital nor technology, we built the industrial base with our bare hands and became the sixth country in the world to achieve $700 billion in exports, and at every major turning point of industrialization and informatization, we rapidly upgraded the structure of the economy."
He continued, "We have an industrial base that draws global attention, from semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding, and defense to cultural content," and said, "If we once again ride the wave of the AI transition, the current situation will not be a challenge but a springboard for a new leap." He added, "As senior businesspeople have always done, it is now our turn to carry on that challenge."
KORCHAM said it would actively change through introspection. Chey said, "We will respond more sincerely to the changes our society is calling for," and added, "We will be reborn as an economic organization that reflects the voice of the entire national economy so that the growth of corporations leads to jobs and livelihoods, and that warmth spreads to the growth of all members of society."