Tae-Won Chey: "We Must Keep Using AI to Adapt... Companies Need to Re-Architect for AI"

"Adopting AI Won't Automatically Deliver Results"

49th Jeju Forum Brings Together Over 500 Business Leaders

Theme: "Into the Sea of Growth" ... "Let's Open Up Economic Growth Potential"

Tae-Won Chey, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), emphasized at the opening ceremony of the KCCI Jeju Forum that "we must continue using AI to be able to adapt to the AI of the future," and highlighted the necessity for a "re-architecting" of work processes to better align with artificial intelligence. Joo Jung-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, also agreed that the world has reached a major transitional period driven by AI, and pledged to establish the "Committee for Economic Leap Forward" under the Speaker’s office to support corporate innovation.

Chairman Chey, speaking at the forum’s opening ceremony at Shilla Hotel Jeju, which is being held for four days and three nights starting July 15, remarked, "Change is not achieved simply by asking questions," and further stated, "If we go beyond merely adopting AI and redesign how we work, the accumulated capabilities of our economy can translate into new growth."

The KCCI Jeju Forum, which celebrates its 49th iteration this year, has been the nation’s largest economic forum since its inception in 1974. This year’s forum is attended by Chairman Chey, Yang Jae-saeng, Chairman of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Park Yoon-kyung, Chairman of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Park Joobong, Chairman of the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other chamber representatives from across the country.

Additionally, more than 500 leading Korean business figures, including Park Seunghee, President of Samsung Electronics, Lee Hyunghee, Vice Chairman of SK, Shin Seungkyu, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company, Park Joonseong, Executive Vice President of LG, Kim Taejin, CEO of GS Engineering & Construction, Jung Kyung-sun, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, Kim Sunhee, Vice Chairman of Maeil Dairies, and Yoon Seokgeun, Chairman of the KCCI Small and Medium Business Committee (and CEO of Il Sung IS), gathered to discuss solutions for Korea’s economic growth.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry held the 49th KCCI Jeju Forum at the Shilla Hotel in Jeju from July 15 for a period of three nights and four days. Taewon Chey, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delivering the opening address. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This year’s forum officially opened with remarks from Chairman Chey. Addressing the 2026 forum’s theme, “Summer Flow, Into the Sea of Growth,” he stated, “It means we want to open up greater possibilities for our economy’s growth.” He added, “No one can cross the sea of growth alone. While it may be difficult to cross with just a single log, if many are joined together to form a raft, like the ‘teu’ (traditional Jeju raft), our economy can move forward into a greater sea when businesses, government, the National Assembly, and the public row together.”

Describing AI as a "large wave that we must all ride together," he remarked, "AI used to only answer questions, but now it has become a 'colleague' and an 'agent' that refines estimates and even writes emails to business partners on our behalf." He noted, "For those who get on this wave early, it becomes a new starting line; but for those who hesitate, it could become an insurmountable wall." He continued, "We are a nation that has turned the waves of industrialization and informatization into opportunities."

He also stressed that simply adopting AI will not automatically lead to results. Chairman Chey said, "AI only works as much as we ask it to," adding, "Those who understand what they don't know and what they should ask, and who connect people and AI through good questions, will get ahead." He explained, "If you do not continuously feed your own data to AI, it may end up becoming more useful to your competitors, even if it is of no use to you." He stressed, "Only by teaching it knowledge will it be able to deliver the right answers."

Speaker of the National Assembly Jojung-sik and Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Choi Tae-won are applauding with attendees to celebrate the opening at the ‘49th Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jeju Forum’ held at Shilla Hotel Jeju on the 15th. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On this day, Speaker Joo also attended the forum—the first sitting Speaker to do so—to offer his congratulations. In his congratulatory remarks, Speaker Joo stated, "The world is in the midst of a massive transition," explaining that the AI revolution, robotics industry, and semiconductor industry are transforming the landscape of industry and labor.

He also promised that the National Assembly will work with business leaders to overcome the complex crises facing Korea. Furthermore, he pledged to establish the “Committee for Economic Leap Forward” under the direct supervision of the Speaker. Speaker Joo explained, "It would be ideal for this committee to serve as a practical cooperative platform where the National Assembly and business sectors can meet at any time, identify solutions for issues in the field, and work together to redesign Korea’s growth strategy through relevant legislation, budget, and administration at the National Assembly." He stressed that this would help ensure a virtuous cycle where parliamentary action drives corporate innovation.

The main lectures of the Jeju Forum commence on the second day (July 16). The second day’s theme is “Challenges of Leaders,” aiming to share firsthand experiences of leaders on the frontline of industry. The first lecture will be delivered by Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan, who will present the government’s core strategies as well as practical roadmaps for Korean companies to take the lead in future markets through a lecture titled “The Three Key Battlegrounds for Our Economy.”

Next, Cha-Ok Seok, a professor at Seoul National University and CEO of Galux, known as a pioneer in AI drug development, will propose strategies for leaders to turn technical limitations into business opportunities. Subsequent lectures will be given by Kim Hyungwoo, CEO of Travel Wallet, who led innovation in international remittance and payment services, and Choi Hongguk, CEO of Olgot, who sparked a global frozen kimbap craze.

The third day of the forum (July 17) will focus on AI. Lee Jaewook, Director of Seoul National University’s AI Institute, will discuss the current state and future of AI in Korea, and Jang Jinseok, Managing Director and Partner at BCG Korea, will share survival strategies for companies in the AI era as a consulting expert. In particular, Chairman Chey will host a discussion with Director Lee and Professor Kwon Seokjoon of Sungkyunkwan University, a semiconductor expert, on this day.

On the final day (July 18), the forum will address transformations and challenges facing Korean society as a whole. First, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwiyeong will present on "Policy Directions for K-Culture Industries." Then, Kang Rae Ma, professor at Chung-Ang University, will propose survival strategies to overcome the national crises of population decline and regional extinction; Jung Kyung-sun, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, will discuss the need for companies to broaden their roles in pursuing social value; and the singer Sean will speak on the value of sharing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.