A view of downtown Seoul with clusters of corporate buildings. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s leading conglomerates are entering the new year with a common message: artificial intelligence will be central to navigating an increasingly uncertain global business environment, even as companies double down on core technologies, safety and organizational reform.
In New Year’s messages released this week, chairmen of the country’s largest business groups pointed to a convergence of challenges — slowing global growth, geopolitical risks and rapid industrial shifts — and argued that long-term competitiveness will hinge on successful AI transformation anchored in fundamental strengths.
Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, described the AI era as only beginning, predicting a market far larger than today’s. He urged employees to build new business models by combining AI with areas where SK already has deep expertise, rather than chasing change for its own sake.
At LG Group, Chairman Koo Kwang-mo stressed the need to move beyond past formulas for success, calling “choice and focus” the starting point for meaningful innovation as customer expectations rise and competitive rules shift.
Kim Seung-youn of Hanwha Group highlighted the group’s growing role in defense, shipbuilding and aerospace, saying future leadership will depend on securing proprietary technologies in AI and strategic industries to ensure decades-long sustainability.
At HD Hyundai, Chairman Chung Ki-sun called for bold innovation to maintain technological leadership, warning that advantages can erode quickly without constant reinvention. He emphasized practical, field-ready technologies, supported by a healthy organizational culture.
Huh Tae-soo of GS Group said 2026 should mark the start of tangible “AI business impact,” citing structural increases in power demand, energy transition and supply-chain realignments as sources of new growth opportunities.
Safety emerged as a defining theme at POSCO Group, where Chairman Jang In-hwa named workplace safety the top priority following fatal accidents last year, stressing that safety must take precedence over productivity and profits.
Retail and consumer-focused groups also struck a reform-minded tone. Shin Dong-bin of Lotte Group warned that the business climate remains harsh and called for disciplined execution to turn qualitative improvement into sustainable growth. Chung Yong-jin of Shinsegae Group urged a fundamental rethinking of strategy to reinvent customer demand itself, while Chung Ji-sun emphasized agility, compliance and swift decision-making.
At CJ Group, Chairman Son Kyung-shik framed the moment as a turning point, urging faster execution to capitalize on the global embrace of K-food, K-content and K-beauty.
Taken together, the messages reflect a broad consensus among South Korea’s corporate leaders: AI is no longer a future ambition but an immediate strategic imperative — one that must be paired with safety, discipline and deep-rooted technological capability to withstand volatility and unlock the next phase of growth.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
