Dignitaries, including Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn,; Minister Kang Ho-in of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT),; Chairman Cho Jung-shik of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee,; and Chairman Choi Sam-kyu of the Federation of Construction Associations (FCA), attend a New Year’s meeting, sponsored by the FCA at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul on Jan. 5. Also were  present were Administrator Lee Chung-jae of the National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC),; Administrator Lee Byoung-gook of the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency,; President Chung Soo-hyun of Hyundai E&C, and KOSCA Chairman Shin Hong-gyun. (Photos: FCA)

FCA Chairman Choi Sam-kyu gives a speech at a New Year’s meeting, sponsored by the FCA.

Chairman Choi Sam-kyu of the Federation of Construction Associations (FCA) said, “In the Year of Jeongyu, the construction industry community needs to endeavor to create demand corresponding to new trends of the times such as eco-friendliness and the 4th Industrial Revolution, departing from a method of depending on government-initiated social overhead capital (SOC) projects.” 

He is also chairman of the Construction Association of Korea (CAK). He made the remarks at a New Year’s meeting, sponsored by the FCA at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul on Jan. 5. Approximately 1,000 people from the construction industry, government and other circles participated in the gathering. 

Among those on hand at the event were Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn; Minister Kang Ho-in of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT); Chairman Cho Jung-shik of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee; Administrator Lee Chung-jae of the National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC); Administrator Lee Byoung-gook of the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency; President Chung Soo-hyun of Hyundai E&C, KOSCA Chairman Shin Hong-gyun; construction association chairmen, and construction company CEOs.

FCA Chairman Choi urged the construction industry community to make preparations for the upcoming 100 years, not resting on the achievements of the past. 

Choi called for the improving of technological competiveness and management innovation, rather than the conventional management method of being engrossing with winning orders. He urged the industry to reinforce awareness of ethics and ethics management. 

“The Korean construction industry is feared to be sagging this year in the wake of the government’s steps to stabilize the real estate market, and the industry will likely continue to serve as a growth force down the road,” he said. “In particular, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the advent of the Korean construction industry.” 

Those in the construction industry have played a pivotal role in the development of the national economy through the construction of social infrastructure and cities.