KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won Emphasizes Business Redesign for AI Era at Annual Forum
South Korea’s foremost business leaders convened Wednesday on picturesque Jeju Island, embarking on a critical mission to identify new avenues for growth amidst the profound transformation brought by artificial intelligence across the nation’s industries, workplaces, and education landscape.
The prestigious Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) officially inaugurated its 49th Jeju Forum at the luxurious Shilla Jeju hotel. This four-day annual summit, running through Saturday, brought together approximately 500 influential corporate executives, regional chamber presidents, and high-ranking government officials for strategic discussions.
The annual gathering was notably opened by KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also serves as the esteemed head of SK Group, a major South Korean conglomerate. National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik further underscored the forum’s importance by attending the inaugural day’s program to engage directly with prominent business leaders.
Distinguished participants included senior executives from industry giants such as Samsung Electronics, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG, GS Engineering & Construction, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, and Maeil Dairies. They were joined by leaders from various chambers of commerce nationwide, highlighting the forum’s broad representation, as confirmed by KCCI.
During his impactful opening speech, KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won delivered a pivotal message: merely adopting AI technology will not automatically yield desired outcomes. He emphasized the critical need for companies to deeply understand how to strategically leverage artificial intelligence and to pose the most relevant questions.
“We need to fundamentally re-architect the way we work around AI,” Chey asserted. He elaborated that truly meaningful gains and competitive advantages would only materialize when organizations proactively redesign their core operations to integrate AI, rather than simply ‘bolting’ the technology onto existing, outdated processes.
The forum’s main lecture program is set to commence on Thursday, featuring Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan. He is anticipated to unveil the government’s perspective on three pivotal battlegrounds for the Korean economy, alongside proposing comprehensive strategies designed to secure lucrative future markets.
Following this, Professor Seok Cha-ok of Seoul National University, also the chief executive of innovative AI drug developer Galux, will present insights on transforming perceived technological constraints into significant commercial opportunities.
Further enriching the program, CEO Kim Hyung-woo of Travel Wallet and CEO Choi Hong-kuk of Allgot will share invaluable entrepreneurial experiences. They will discuss their journeys in establishing successful businesses within the dynamic sectors of cross-border financial services and premium frozen Korean food products, respectively.
Friday’s agenda will place artificial intelligence firmly at center stage. Lee Jae-wook, Director of Seoul National University’s esteemed AI Institute, will provide a comprehensive assessment of Korea’s current standing in the escalating global AI race. Concurrently, Jang Jin-seok, Managing Director and Partner at BCG Korea, will delve into strategies for companies to maintain and enhance their competitiveness as AI adoption continues to accelerate rapidly.
KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won will subsequently join Director Lee and renowned semiconductor expert Kwon Seok-joon from Sungkyunkwan University for a highly anticipated public discussion. This session will explore the multifaceted economic and social ramifications of artificial intelligence.
The engaging session is slated to cover a broad spectrum of critical topics, from the transformative impact of AI on traditional manufacturing sectors to practical guidance for parents navigating education in an increasingly AI-driven era. This vital discussion will be conveniently livestreamed on KCCI’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 9:10 a.m. on Friday.
The forum’s final day will shift focus to broader societal transformations. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young is scheduled to present the government’s strategic policy direction for the vibrant Korean cultural industry. Concurrently, Chung-Ang University professor Ma Kang-rae will tackle the pressing issues of population decline and the profound risk of regional communities facing disappearance across the nation.
Executive Vice President Chung Kyung-sun of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance will lead a discussion on the evolving and expanding social responsibility of corporations. This will be followed by an inspiring talk on philanthropy, delivered by the popular singer Sean.
A highlight of the forum will also be a special segment featuring innovative young entrepreneurs. These individuals have relocated to rural areas, successfully establishing thriving businesses centered around unique local resources, such as Jeju mandarins and mineral-rich volcanic seawater.
“In response to the rapidly evolving domestic and global economic landscape, we have carefully curated a lineup of leading speakers from an extensive array of fields,” stated Kang Myung-soo, head of KCCI’s membership cooperation division. “Our aim is to equip business leaders with broader, actionable insights for sustainable growth in these dynamic times.”
Established in 1974, the KCCI Jeju Forum stands as one of South Korea’s most significant annual convocations of influential business leaders. This year’s meticulously designed program is strategically centered on empowering companies and policymakers to effectively respond to the rapid pace of technological innovation and societal shifts. Sessions comprehensively cover critical areas including industrial strategy, robust corporate leadership, the transformative power of artificial intelligence, and pressing demographic challenges.
