50th National Quality Management Convention, an Opportunity to Pledge Digital Quality Management

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivers a commemorative speech at the 50th National Quality Management Convention at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on Nov. 20. (Photo on the courtesy of the OPC)

The 50th National Quality Management Convention took place at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 20.

The event was sponsored by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

The convention brought together about 2,000 people, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and those who made contributions to improving quality management.

The National Quality Management Convention, launched in 1975, is the nation’s largest quality management event.

The 50th National Quality Management Convention was held under the theme “50 Years of Challenging, the Future with 100 Years of Passion and Quality.”

The slogan means encouraging quality people who have devoted themselves to achieving Korea’s miraculous economic development in the past half decade and pledging to make a leap forward.

During the convention, 451 orders and other government prizes were presented to individuals and organizations who contributed to economic development through quality management activities.

The Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower went to President Lee Dong-seok of Hyundai Motor, in recognition of his role in boosting exports through quality first policies and the localization of core parts and technologies.

Geumjin President Kim Jin-hyun received the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower for spearheading the development of eco-friendly walls, while President Kang Ho-chan of Nexen Tire was honored with the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Steel Tower, for developing innovative tire products and exporting them to some 150 countries.

President Choi Hyun-gyu of Kolmar Korea and Kang Sung-hoon, managing director of the Jeju Special Self-governing Development Corp., each were awarded with the Industrial Service Medal.

President Choi has been credited with growing Kolmar Korea into the world’s largest cosmetics ODM company, while Managing Director Kang of the Jeju Special Self-governing Development Corp. was honored in recognition of releasing new products with no labels to reduce waste plastic.

In his commemorative speech, Prime Minister Han said, “Quality innovation is a history of sweat and challenge which lead to the miraculous development of the Korean economy, and Korea’s joining the ranks of advanced countries is owed to 2.4 million quality people’s passion and perseverance.”

Chmn. Moon Dong-min Korean Standards Association (KSA) gives his inaugural speech after he was elected as KSA chairman at an extraordinary general meeting at DT Center in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on Nov. 21. (Photo: KSA)

Ex-KTC Standing Commissioner Moon Elected to New KSA Chmn.

Korean Standards Association (KSA) elected Moon Dong-min, former standing commissioner of the Korea Trade Commission (KTC) as new KSA chairman at its extraordinary general meeting at DT Center in Samseong-dong, Seoul, KSA said on Nov. 21.

New KSA Chmn. Moon obtained degrees from Seoul National University Economic Department and SNU Graduate School of Public Administration.

He began his official position career in 1995 after passing the 38th higher administrative examination.

Chmn. Moon is a seasoned industry and trade expert as he has held major positions, such as head of European and U.S. Cooperation Team at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), director of industry policy at MOTIE, commercial attache with Korean Embassy in Japan, director in charge of resources industry policy at MOTIE and deputy minister of trade and investment at MOTIE.