'I will strive to become best in Asia'

KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo, fifth from right, and Mey Ponlok, fifth from left, an official at KB Daehan Specialized Bank (KDSB) in Cambodia, pose with and his colleagues from the KDSB at the welcoming ceremony at the KB headquarter in Seoul May 20. Courtesy of KB Kookmin Card

By Lee Kyung-min

Mey Ponlok, 32, a Legal & Compliance officer team head at KB Daehan Specialized Bank (KDSB) in Cambodia, a subsidiary of KB Kookmin Card, said his understanding about KB Financial Group's vision has been greatly enhanced following a recent workshop.

“I was able to share the group's corporate vision which is to become the best in Asia in all financial sectors,” he said.

Eight other employees from the Cambodian subsidiary came to Korea for a weeklong workshop that began May 20.

They underwent a special training program on risk management, auto finance, digitization and credit card marketing.

“When I return home, I will share my knowledge and experience from this workshop with all KDSB staff to help them understand the mission and vision of KB,” he said.

Ponlok was among 68 staff members from five overseas KB subsidiaries in 12 countries that came for the annual workshop.

The five subsidiaries include banks as well as firms dealing with the securities, non-life insurance, credit card and capital businesses.

The workshop was launched in 2017 to help competent overseas staff better understand KB's corporate vision, value and future strategy.

It was organized at the direction of group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo who considers loyalty, devotion and morale as qualities that are earned, not demanded.

“The top priority of the group's business strategy in global expansion is to foster a competent workforce there and nurture them through a well-organized programs. The group will do its best to help them become global experts,” Yoon said at the welcoming ceremony at the group headquarters in Seoul, May 20.

The overseas expansion mostly into Southeast Asian nations is a key initiative spearheaded by many local financial services firms under the New Southern Policy, a new foreign policy by President Moon Jae-in to diversify trade partners.

The workshop involved discussion and a debate about key issues in maintaining an efficient and effective business.

Participants were encouraged to give their opinions and suggestions about their day-to-day challenges and ways to improve work processes.

Apart from the work-related sessions, they attended sports and Korean traditional cultural events.

“I am very proud of being a member of KB Financial, especially KB Kookmin Card, for its wide operation in Korea. The recent trip helped me better understand the group as well as the country,” he said.