The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the 48th National Quality Management Competition at KINTEX, in Ilsan, on Nov. 23.
About 2,000 people were in attendance, including those who received quality management merits for their contributions to quality management.
The National Quality Management Competition is the largest quality promotion event in Korea.
The event discovers and awards meritorious persons and excellent companies that have contributed to boosting industrial competitiveness by creating outstanding management results through quality innovation activities.
Under the slogan of “Korea, a Rebounding IT-Based Quality Powerhouse,” the competition awarded a total of 402 medals of merit to people and organizations that contributed to national development through quality innovation. They include national, presidential and ministerial medals.
In the first part of the National Quality Management Competition, the highest honor, Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, was awarded to Han Young-jae, CEO of Noroo Holdings, who contributed to the growth of the Korean economy while taking the lead in the development of the Korean chemical industry by developing new technology-powered eco-friendly products.
The Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Kim Hyung-nam, vice president of Samsung Electronics, who claimed first place in the world TV and smartphone markets for 16 years in a row.
LG Chem’s Managing Director Yoon Myeong-hoon, took home the Steel Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit.
The Industrial Medals went to Kang Yong-seok, CEO of Seoyeon E-Hwa, the late Song Kyung-hyeon, a former CEO of KyungHyang and Kim Young-kwon, CEO of Esco RTS.
Korea East-West Power Co. picked up the National Quality Award, the highest honor in the group sector, for contributing to enhancing the government's energy efficiency with the world's highest level of reliability through quality and process improvements and leading the nation’s transition to eco-friendly energy.
The National Quality Management Award went to KEPCO Nuclear Fuel in recognition of its pivotal contribution to Korea’s nuclear power plant exports and its leadership in Korea’s energy independence through the localization of high-quality nuclear fuel.
The National Quality Innovation Award focuses on excellence in quality innovation activities such as the fourth industry, carbon neutrality, ESG management, and customer satisfaction.
Nineteen companies were honored in this category. They included LS Electric, Shinhan Bank and KB Financial Group.
In the excellent quality competitiveness category, the judges selected a total of 39 companies including Seoyon E-Hwa, Pyung Hwa Oil Seal and Korea Gas Technology Corporation.
The judges said that the winners won the prizes in recognition of their excellent quality management system, customer satisfaction, and management performances.
In Part 2 of the National Quality Management Competition, National Quality Masters and Excellent Quality Working Teams were selected and they received certificates and medals in the name of the President.
The certificates and medals were given to praise them for quality innovation achievements and boosting workers’ morale at industrial sites.
Nine people, including engineer Kang Su-bong of Hanwha Total Energy, were selected as National Quality Masters. They were selected among workers who have worked at industrial sites for more than 10 years and have made achievements in quality innovation activities.
Every year, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and local governments select excellent quality working teams and give gold, silver and bronze medals to them through regional preliminaries and finals.
This year, the final competition was held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. A total of 266 teams were selected as excellent quality working teams in 15 categories.
“Quality has not only led to the rapid growth of Korea and job creation for the Korean people but is also important core competitiveness that can determine the future of Korea,” First Vice Minister Jang Young-jin of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy emphasized in his congratulatory speech.
_48회 국가품질경영대회.JPG)
