President Moon Jae-in said, “One of the new government’s important tasks is to turn around the national economy.” He called for businessmen to support the economic tenets of the new government. President Moon made the remarks while meeting with business leaders at Cheong Wa Dae on July 28 for the second time. “Companies are contributing to the national economy through economic activities while the government is a partner to help companies conduct economic activities through economic policies,” Moon said.
President Moon said, “The economic paradigm is targeting human-oriented goals, and under their direction, are a focus on job creation, income-oriented ones, fair trade and innovative growth.” Moon said he knows well the worry that a paradigm shift may impose a burden on the economy and companies. Otherwise, he said, there are no ways to resuscitate the national economy, and he called for them to join forces.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun said, “The semiconductor field, supposed to cruise on its own, is facing problems related to manpower supply. I ask for the government support to ensure a smooth manpower supply.”
Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin said, more than 40 percent of Lotte employees are filled with women. (We) have increased regular employees by the most for the past 10 years. Lotte will devote itself to changing (non-regular employees) to regular employees for the next three years.”
GS Group Chairman Huh Chang-soo said, “(We)’ve made efforts to create jobs and pay more taxes. I recommend the government to actively provide support to such companies.”
Hyundai Heavy Industries Chairman Choil Kil-sun said, “(We)’ll devote ourselves to tiding over a recession. I recommend the government to provide support to the nurturing of manpower and the developing of maritime equipment and raw materials.”
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu said, “I propose the government and large-sized companies provide joint support to a center related to the 4th Industrial Revolution. (KT) will do its utmost to help SMEs grow into mid-size companies with a global competitive edge.” Korean Air President Cho Won-tae said, “Amid a lack of pilots and maintenance crew and the fierce competition of the aviation industry, (we)’ll devote ourselves to the development of the industry.”
There was also talk of an issue concerning China’s retaliation against the installation of the U.S. THAAD system in Korea during the meeting. Lotte Chairman Shin said Lotte has had a hard time coping with China’s retaliatory steps and asks for the government’s support to break the stalemate. In return, President Moon said he will do his utmost.
President Moon also told Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon that Samsung Electronics has achieved the biggest-ever business performance and invested massive amounts of money. He extended thanks to Samsung for leading the nation’s economic growth. Moon said he believed that Samsung, with its exclusive technologies, will do well.
President Moon’s second meeting with the executives took on the format of a cocktail party in the lobby of the main building of Cheong Wa Dae. President Moon’s first meeting with business leaders took on the same format, but was in front of the presidential guesthouse of Sangchunjae on July 27.
President Moon said he felt comfortable during the conservations. “I hope that today’s meeting will be an occasion to have a relaxed, open-minded conservation,” he said.
The participants of the first meeting with President Moon included Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Chung Wie-sun, LG Group Vice Chairman Koo Bon-joon, POSCO Chairman Kwon Oh-joon, Hanwha Vice Chairman Kum Chun-soo, Shinsegae Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin, Doosan Group Chairman Park Jung-won, CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, and Ottogi Group Chairman Ham Young Young-joon Chairman Park Yongmaan of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) participated in both the first and 2nd meetings.
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