Leading Korean business figures will gather in Jeju next month to discuss the country's economic growth in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) transformation.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said Monday it will hold the 49th Jeju Forum for four days, from July 15 to 18, at the Shilla Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju. The Jeju Forum is the business community's representative summer forum, which began in 1974 as the "1st CEO University." This year, about 600 participants are expected to attend, including KCCI Chairman Tae-won Choi, chairmen of regional chambers of commerce, and chief executive officers (CEOs) of member companies.
This year's forum carries the slogan "FLOW," inspired by the waves of Jeju's sea. Various lectures and experiential programs will unfold under four themes aimed at promoting sustainable growth in the Korean economy, drawn from the initials of "Foundation," "Leadership," "Opportunity," and "Wave."
In particular, Choi, whose term expires in March next year, will personally take the microphone to lead a "Special Dialogue on Korea's Economic Growth Strategy." He plans to clearly present the direction the economy should pursue amid a global transformation and engage in in-depth communication with participants through a question-and-answer session.
Top speakers from the economic, social, and technology fields will also turn out in full force. Speakers include Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who oversees industrial policy; Choi Hong-kuk, general representative of Olgot, which has been writing the K-food legend by recently causing sellouts of frozen gimbap in the United States; Kim Hyung-woo, CEO of Travel Wallet, who led financial innovation with zero currency exchange fees; Chung Kyung-sun, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, who dreams of a company that contributes to solving social problems; and singer Sean, known as a "charity angel."
Sessions surveying rapidly changing advanced technology trends have also been prepared. Speakers include AI expert Lee Jae-wook, director of Seoul National University's AI Institute; Seok Cha-ok, a Seoul National University professor who founded Galux, an AI-based drug development company; semiconductor expert Kwon Seok-joon, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University; and Chang Jin-seok, MD partner leading the digital division at BCG Korea, who will propose ways for companies to prepare for the future.
The "in-depth conversation session," introduced for the first time this year, is also drawing anticipation. Unlike ordinary lectures, it offers an opportunity for speakers and a small number of participants to sit down together intimately in small groups, share deeper stories that could not otherwise be covered, and receive consultations tailored to individual companies.
"This year's summer forum in Jeju will be a venue for exchange where business leaders read future opportunities and seek new leaps forward amid a rapidly changing global economic environment," said Kang Myung-soo, head of the KCCI's Member Cooperation Division.
