"Newly Renovated" ... Changwon City Holds Dedication Ceremony at 'Corporate Hall of Fame'

2025 CEO of the Year: Park Jungwoo of Welltem
Induction of Kang Daeseong, Worker at GM Korea Changwon Plant

The Corporate Hall of Fame, established to elevate the pride of businesspeople and to promote an atmosphere of respect and affection for local companies, has been newly relocated and opened on the first floor of the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On October 2, Changwon City, located in Gyeongnam Province, held the “Corporate Hall of Fame Dedication Ceremony” at the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At the event, Park Jungwoo, CEO of Welltem, was inducted as the 2025 CEO of the Year, and Kang Daeseong, Plant Manager of the GM Korea Changwon Plant, was inducted as the 2025 Worker of the Year.

Performance commemorating the 'Corporate Hall of Fame Dedication Ceremony.'
Photo by Changwon City

The ceremony was attended by about 60 people, including Changwon City Mayor Kang Kiyoon, Choi Jaeho, Chairman of the Changwon Corporate Love Council, as well as business leaders and workers. The event consisted of presentations on the accomplishments of the honorees, the screening of an honorary video, remarks by the inductees, commemorative performances, and a tour of the newly renovated Corporate Hall of Fame.

The Corporate Hall of Fame was first established in SECO in September 2005, marking a nationwide first, to enhance the pride of both businesspeople and workers and to foster a business-friendly culture.

The new Corporate Hall of Fame has expanded from 104 square meters to 300 square meters, and now features various exhibition spaces, including areas dedicated to the CEO of the Year and Worker of the Year, as well as sections honoring previous award recipients, exemplary long-standing companies, and local enterprises remembered for their historical significance.

Notably, this year a new exhibition was created for exemplary long-standing companies, with Moo Hak, Hyundai Precision, and PK Valve & Engineering being the inaugural honorees for the 2026 class. Each year, newly selected exemplary long-standing firms will be showcased here to continually spotlight the achievements of companies that have contributed to the development of the regional economy.

Park Jungwoo, CEO of Welltem and 2025 CEO of the Year, has elevated the company’s portable air conditioners to “next-generation world-class product” status through continuous technology development. He has also expanded exports to 336 clients in 71 countries, thereby strengthening the company's competitiveness. In addition, he has promoted the hiring of local youth and operated a range of employee welfare systems, contributing to mutually beneficial relations with the local community.

Kang Daeseong, Plant Manager of the GM Korea Changwon Plant and 2025 Worker of the Year, has contributed to the stable operation of the painting plant by working on-site for 30 years and 9 months, playing key roles in the early adoption of robotics and state-of-the-art equipment. In particular, he has acted as an intermediary between production and management, ensuring smooth plant operations.

The dedication ceremony was initially planned for last year, but took place this year following the expansion and relocation of the Corporate Hall of Fame. Changwon City expressed its gratitude to the two honorees for their patience and highlighted the significance of recognizing their achievements together with the citizens at the newly revamped Hall of Fame.

Mayor Kang Kiyoon stated, "The honor bestowed upon the two individuals today extends beyond their personal accomplishment. It represents respect for all businesspeople and workers driving industry and business in Changwon. The city will be a steadfast partner in creating an environment where businesses can grow and workers can work with pride."

With the opening of the newly renovated Corporate Hall of Fame, active administrative support and efforts by the Chamber of Commerce are expected to help more companies hold dedication ceremonies in the future.

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