Roh Lauds Corporate Cooperation Efforts

President Roh Moo-hyun and CEOs from conglomerates gathered together in Cheong Wa Dae Thursday at a “cooperation meeting” of large businesses and small and medium-sized ones.

A cooperation meeting between conglomerates and small companies is held twice every year, and this was the second meeting in seven months since May.

Roh said at the meeting, “I hope that cooperation will expand to service industries and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and result in more success. I also hope you will form the theoretical basis for such cooperation, because without it, no framework can be set up.”

He added that “since there is a big wage gap between large and small businesses, small and mid-sized businesses have a difficult time in securing labor, and even though the gap is not big, job seekers prefer conglomerates.” Following that, he said, “I hope you will evaluate the cycle of the wage gap, which creates a labor force gap and then a technological gap, and work out a way to complement the cycle.”

Roh also expressed gratitude and satisfaction regarding the cooperation results so far, saying, “Today is indeed a happy day to recognize the achievements made so far. I’d like to applaud all of you.”

At the meeting, Samsung Electronics vice-chairman Yoon Jong-yong participated in the place of chairman Lee Kun-hee, who is currently in the U.S.

The meeting was attended by many other CEOs of big conglomerates, including Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-koo, LG Group CEO Koo Bon-moo, SK CEO Chey Tae-won, GS Group CEO Hur Chang-soo, Hanjin CEO Cho Yang-ho, Hanhwa CEO Kim Seung-yeon, Kumho Asiana Group CEO Park Sam-ku, Posco CEO Lee Ku-taek, Lotte vice-chairman Shin Dong-bin, and KT president Nam Joong-soo.

Also present were leaders of economic groups including the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, as well as 16 leaders of cooperating small- and medium-sized companies, such as NVH Korea and Korea Cottrell.

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com