◆ 15th World Korean Business Convention / The Ambitions of Three New Leading CEOs ◆
This year’s World Korean Business Convention has gained new energy as new members join the ‘Leading CEO’ group, which has played a central role in the Hansang (overseas Korean business) network. They are Ha Yong-hwa (60, Solomon Insurance Group), Shin Yi-jeong (55, Sushi Bay) and Kim Eun-mi (54, CEO SUITE). Leading CEOs are Hansang business owners with capital of at least US$3 million and annual sales of at least US$30 million. They are recommended by existing Leading CEOs and confirmed at the convention’s internal meetings, held twice a year. Around 40 members are currently active, and the three new Leading CEOs were selected in April. All three said they feel the weight of the responsibility that comes with the role. Meeting on the 27th at the Jeju International Convention Center, where the convention was held, the three new Leading CEOs agreed: “We will act as a bridge that introduces Korea to the world.”
◆ Expanded to 9 cities worldwide — Kim Eun-mi, CEO SUITE Founder
Kim Eun-mi said, “It is an honour to join the Leading CEOs after serving as a ‘big sister’ in YBLN, the network of young Hansang. I will work hard to be a channel of communication between the generations.”
Kim said she will focus on raising the profile of Hansang. “When I took a taxi to the venue this time, the driver didn’t know what ‘Hansang’ meant,” she said. “I hope Hansang will gain the same global standing as the overseas Chinese merchants.” She added, “Hansang can be a very important platform for Korean companies expanding overseas. If the country made active use of Hansang, it could contribute to the national economy, and it’s a pity that this isn’t happening.”
She said her business has flourished thanks to the network the convention has given her, and that she has felt ‘Hansang power’ first-hand. Running an office rental business, she said, “Thanks to the advice and recommendations of colleagues I met at the convention, I was able to open in the Lotte Building in Hanoi, Vietnam, four months ago. Business went so smoothly; Hansang was a great help,” adding, “I hope many more Hansang will find business opportunities at this convention.”
CEO SUITE, which she runs, was founded in 1997 and now operates 19 centres in nine cities worldwide, including Jakarta and Singapore. “Just as I built my business by pioneering around the world, I will use my drive and networking power to serve as a business hub connecting Hansang with regional experts and diplomats,” she said.
◆ Succeeded with an insurance company in the US — Ha Yong-hwa, CEO of Solomon Insurance Group
Asked about his ambitions as a Leading CEO, Ha Yong-hwa first mentioned the JCRC, a coalition of Jewish organisations. “Six years ago in Israel I saw the JCRC’s work. They invite opinion leaders from around the world to introduce Israel,” he said. “Our Hansang convention should play that kind of role.”
“Hansang have rich global business experience and networks,” Ha said. “If Hansang in each country brought just one overseas opinion leader to Korea, it would amount to enormous diplomatic power.”
He proposed creating a ‘Trade School’ (working title). “Connecting Korean SMEs that are keen to expand overseas with Hansang would create synergy,” he said firmly. “I would like to propose an education programme in which Hansang teach them the realities of overseas business and help them localise.”
Ha entered the insurance industry in 1992 as an insurance agent in the United States. Through diligence and persistent salesmanship, he founded an insurance company and built it into a solid business with annual premiums of US$57 million.
He said he wants to pass this experience on to young people, which is why he hires around 10 people from Korea every year. “Korean students have ambition and drive, but they often lack persistence,” Ha said. “There is no such thing as a jackpot in this world. You have to see change as an opportunity and prepare steadily.”
◆ Runs a 23-outlet chain in Australia — Shin Yi-jeong, CEO of Sushi Bay
Shin Yi-jeong said, “When I was offered the Leading CEO role, I thought it would let me contribute to society. I will work for scholarships and job creation.”
Ahead of the convention, she met representatives of Korean universities to discuss internship programmes. “We offer jobs at Sushi Bay to young people who want to work in Australia, and we also help them settle into local life,” Shin said. “We hire more than 100 young Koreans every year, and I want to increase that number.”
Shin stressed that hiring young people has a big diplomatic effect. “Young people are active on social networking services (SNS). Everything young people living overseas post on social media helps promote Korea,” she said. “When Hansang hire young Koreans, it raises the national brand.”
It pains her to see young people who cannot cope with life abroad and give up. “I also went to Australia as an international student, so I really understand what young people go through,” Shin said, advising, “To get an opportunity, you have to persevere.”
Sushi Bay, the conveyor-belt sushi chain she runs, has 23 outlets across Australia. It has grown by opening inside local department stores and similar venues. “We are a Korean company, but most of our customers are locals. We plan to expand into a global business,” Shin said.
[Special Reporting Team = Wi Jeong-hwan, Head of Industry Desk (Team Leader) / Reporters Nam Ki-hyun, Jeong Wook, Son Il-seon, Choi Seung-gyun, Kim Je-gwan, Lee Seon-hee, Jeon Gyeong-un, Yeon Gyu-wook, Park Chang-young / Photos = Reporters Lee Chung-woo, Kim Ho-young]
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Original article – http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?no=678309&year=2016
