Taekwang Group said it held a 30th anniversary memorial service for the late former Chairman Lee Im-yong at Cine Cube in the Heungkuk Life Insurance Building in Seoul Gwanghwamun on Tuesday.
Attendees included Adviser Lee Ho-jin of Taekwang Industries, Taekwang Industries representatives Jung In-cheol and Lee Bu-u, Heungkuk Life Insurance representative Kim Hyeong-pyo, Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance representative Kim Dae-hyeon, Aekyung Industrial representative Kim Sang-joon, along with approximately 270 executives and employees from affiliated companies.
On this day, the Taekwang Group screened a memorial video capturing the late chairman's life and management philosophy. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, past photographs were converted into video to recreate the late chairman's appearance during his lifetime. Music major scholarship recipients of the Ilju Academic Culture Foundation, established by the late chairman, held a memorial concert.
In his memorial address, Adviser Lee cited the late chairman's words, "The future is not something that comes to us; it is something we create. If we do not create it ourselves, there is no future promised to us," and urged, "Let us prepare the foundation for a new leap through bold change." He further stated, "Our core businesses, which have firmly supported Taekwang for over 70 years, are facing survival competition," emphasizing that "the most urgent task at this moment is securing new growth drivers."
The late former chairman was a first-generation entrepreneur who grew Taekwang from a textile company into a conglomerate encompassing petrochemicals and finance. He established Taekwang Industries, the precursor to the Taekwang Group, in 1954, expanding its business into textiles, petrochemicals, and finance. In 1967, he completed the Ulsan acrylic plant, and in 1973, acquired Heungkuk Life Insurance. In 1993, he established the Taekwang Industries Central Research Institute, and the following year, promoted the construction of a petrochemical plant.
He also devoted himself to cultivating talent and social contribution. He founded Ilju Academy in 1977 and the Ilju Academic Culture Foundation in 1990. After his passing in 1996, he was posthumously awarded the Gold Tower Industrial Medal for his contributions to industrial development.
A memorial exhibition featuring the late chairman's life and the group's growth history is being held in the Cine Cube lobby of the group headquarters until the 8th of next month. Visitors can view the late chairman's quotes, audio recordings, personal belongings, as well as materials related to the group's business and social contributions.
A Taekwang Group official stated, "We will reflect on the values of industrial patriotism, challenge, and talent cultivation left by our founder, and discover new growth drivers through change and innovation."
in INDUSTRY
