Son Kyung-shik, Chairman of CJ Group, has called for securing growth engines and exploring opportunities within the business to expand globally. In his New Year’s address on the 2nd, Chairman Son stated, “As global interest in our culture continues to grow daily, opportunities for global expansion are opening up in food, logistics, entertainment, and beauty sectors.” He added, “We must strengthen our domestic business and secure future growth engines through global business.” He emphasized the importance of actively presenting the group’s global growth vision to gain market recognition.
Chairman Son urged the discovery and linkage of potential opportunities across all businesses to achieve growth. He noted, “We often failed to utilize growth opportunities despite them being present or new ones emerging due to insufficient preparation. In our group’s businesses, there are many opportunities with some nearing significant breakthroughs.” He encouraged being thoroughly prepared to identify and maximize growth opportunities early.
Reflecting on last year’s performance, he remarked, “Despite being the first year of implementing the 2426 medium-term strategy for OnlyOne reconstruction, our focus on short-term responses left us lacking in securing strong market competitiveness and laying the foundation for future growth.”
He anticipated significant global economic changes this year. “This year, amidst continued sluggish domestic consumption and rapid changes in the global trade environment and political dynamics, compounded by aging populations, economic polarization, climate change, and accelerated AI innovations, we are experiencing unprecedented structural changes,” he said. “With the second term of the Trump administration focusing on protectionism through tariff barriers and prioritizing national interests, significant changes are expected in the global economic and security landscape, including in our country.”
He warned that companies clinging to existing management practices without adapting to changes may face crises and decline. “Our group stands at a critical juncture where how we respond to this year’s challenges could turn into a prime opportunity or lead to market obsolescence,” he stated, highlighting the necessity of achieving overwhelming competitive advantages in each business segment to overcome crisis and regain growth.
Finally, he expressed, “Our group has not only remained in the materials and food industry but has, based on the OnlyOne spirit, ceaselessly pursued challenges, becoming a leading company spreading K-culture worldwide. I hope this year is one where we accelerate our challenges toward the global market and restore the group’s growth potential,” aiming to lay the groundwork for becoming the global number one lifestyle and culture company beyond achieving medium-term goals.