This image shows the logos of South Korea’s top four conglomerates. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Amid heightened global and domestic uncertainties, South Korea’s ten largest conglomerates focused on “competition” and “customers” as the most frequently mentioned themes in their 2025 New Year messages, reflecting a commitment to bolstering technological competitiveness to navigate economic challenges.
A study by corporate data research firm CEO Score revealed that “competition” and “customers” were each mentioned 41 times across the speeches, the highest among all keywords.
The emphasis on competition aligns with the ongoing economic strain from high inflation, a strong dollar, and prolonged global recession concerns.
POSCO led in highlighting competition, as its chairman, Jeong In-hwa, urged the group to achieve “absolute technological superiority” and sustainable competitiveness through structural cost innovation and carbon-neutral investments in its steel business. Similarly, Shinsegae, SK, and Hanwha frequently addressed competition as a priority.
South Korea’s ten largest conglomerates focused on “competition” and “customers” as the most frequently mentioned themes in their 2025 New Year messages. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
Customer value also remained a dominant theme, particularly for LG Group. Chairman Koo Kwang-mo emphasized the group’s vision of delivering unparalleled value to future customers, urging the company to build a future that “cannot be imagined without LG.”
Other significant keywords included “future” (35 mentions), “growth” (32), “innovation” (31), and “global” (29). Technology emerged as a pivotal focus, cited 27 times, with Samsung leading the charge.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairmen Han Jong-hee and Kyung Joon-hyun underscored the need to secure “super-gap technology leadership” as the foundation for growth.
Artificial intelligence (AI) gained prominence, ranking 9th among key themes, reflecting its growing importance in global industry transformation. SK Group, which mentioned AI 12 times, aims to solidify its position as a leader in the field.
Chairman Chey Tae-won called for employees to enhance their ability to integrate AI into their work to strengthen the group’s core business capabilities.
Notably, ESG-related keywords, such as “sustainability” and “green initiatives,” which were prominent in 2024, were absent from the top 10 themes this year, signaling a shift in corporate priorities amid mounting economic pressures.
The messages underline the conglomerates’ determination to adapt to evolving market dynamics, leveraging innovation and customer-centric strategies to navigate the complexities of 2025.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
