Chairman Kang Byung-jung of Nexen Group and CEO Jeong In-young of Eco Art Landscape won the "1st Nammyeong K-entrepreneurship grand prize," hosted by the International K-Entrepreneurship Association (Chairman Kim Ki-chan) and the Nammyeong K-Entrepreneurship Academy (Director Jeong Dae-ryul).
The "Nammyeong K-entrepreneurship grand prize" was established to inherit and develop into a modern management philosophy the Gyeongui thought (reverence and righteousness) of Nammyeong Jo Sik, a great Confucian scholar of the mid-Joseon period. Based on the spirit at the core of Gyeongui thought—"brightening the mind within (reverence) and practicing righteousness without (righteousness)"—its purpose is to encourage entrepreneurs who have practiced people-centered management.
Chairman Kang was recognized for upholding transparent management and open management as principles, building the monumental achievement of a "34-year strike-free business site," which is rare in the auto-related industry. He was also highly evaluated for leading ESG management that promotes healthy development across the industrial ecosystem through win-win agreements with partner companies, rather than resting on the growth of the corporations.
CEO Jeong In-young is credited with simultaneously achieving environmental protection and social value through technology development that utilizes cork, a natural material.
International K-Entrepreneurship Association Chairman Kim Ki-chan and Nammyeong K-Entrepreneurship Academy Director Jeong Dae-ryul said, "The Nammyeong K-entrepreneurship grand prize will serve as a milestone showing how Nammyeong's spirit, which put the people and humanity first, can blossom in today's business field," adding, "We will continue to discover K-entrepreneurs who carry on righteous practices and contribute to creating a virtuous cycle of innovation and employment."