Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, highlighted the pressing challenges of global economic shifts during the “2025 Seoul New Year’s Meeting” on January 6.
Speaking at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce in Jung-gu, he identified three major disruptions—U.S.-led tariff hikes, inflationary pressures, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)—as transformative forces shaping the global landscape.
“Right now, the world is facing three storms: tariff shocks from the U.S., rising inflation, and the rapid progress of AI,” Chey said. He urged proactive preparation, metaphorically comparing the need for strategic investments to planting apple trees ahead of a storm.
Chey elaborated on the tariff challenges, predicting that retaliatory tariffs and escalating trade barriers could drive global price increases, ultimately impacting the competitiveness of nations. “How trade order and national competitiveness evolve will hinge on these developments,” he said.
He also emphasized the profound impact of AI advancements, describing them as a critical variable for national competitiveness over the next decade or two. “We must build the infrastructure necessary to support and lead the AI industry,” he stated.
Praising Seoul’s recent efforts to establish a national AI research hub and advance technologies such as autonomous buses and drone taxis, Chey encouraged further expansion of experimental platforms to fuel industrial progress.
The event, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, brought together over 600 dignitaries, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairman Choi Ho-jung, American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman James Kim, as well as key figures from politics, business, and foreign diplomatic circles.
Chey’s call for forward-thinking strategies underscores the urgency of addressing economic volatility while leveraging technology to drive long-term growth in 2025 and beyond.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
