INTERVIEW KGCCI chief vows to focus on job creation
By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Hyo-joon, chairman of the Korea-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Kim Hyo-joon, new chairman of the Korea-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), said he will do his best to create more jobs here.
Kim was named to the position in a general meeting on Wednesday. Kim succeeds Siemens Korea Chairman Kim Jong-kap.
“German companies have invested a great deal in Korea, more than 10 trillion won ($9.37 billion) on a cumulative basis, and have created more than 100,000 jobs here. And I will help create more opportunities to expand this,” Kim told The Korea Times in an interview, Friday.
Kim said the KGCCI's vocational training program will take a pivotal role in the creation of more jobs here.
“The KGCCI introduced the Ausbildung program last year. This is for young people who lost their chances to develop their careers due to the economic turmoil of the country. Young people who succeed to obtain a certification will have more chances to land viable jobs,” Kim said.
Kim explained the German vocational program is an academic system geared toward nurturing technical professionals. It is a three-year training curriculum comprised of on-site training and theoretical education in the classroom. Following the completion of the program, participating students will receive a college degree-equivalent certification from KGCCI.
As chairman, Kim said he will also work for creating a market environment that would benefit both sides.
“I have worked at BMW for 24 years, so I am well-versed about the pros and cons of the German style. I am also well-acquainted with issues that Korean society should solve,” he said. “As the new chairman, I will do my best to support Korean and German companies so they can have better results in their business. That is my basic role as chairman.”
He hopes the business lobby takes a pivotal role in helping Korea and Germany expand their mutual interests through expanded partnerships.
“I have been emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries. Combining Germany's excellence in basic science and material industry with Korea's information technology, I am sure the two countries can create synergy not only in Korea and Germany but also in other countries,” Kim said.
Kim also pledged to cooperate fully with Ingrid Drechsel, co-chairwoman of the Korean-German chamber.
“As a co-chairman, there will be a frank exchange of views on the current agenda between us. I will especially talk about how Korean companies in Germany can develop their businesses there,” Kim said.
There have been concerns the KGCCI is seen as having a “lack of presence” despite the chamber being the second-largest in Korea following the American Chamber of Commerce here.
Kim said he fully recognizes this and will dispel such views by creating more opportunities for interaction with local governments and chambers of commerce.
“I have heard about the concern. In our general meeting in November, a lot of German business professionals expressed their concerns. Though it is not yet set in stone, I will try to create opportunities for interaction with local chambers such as the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and regional governments,” Kim said, adding he will “promote various kinds of business with them.”