– 25 Alumni CEOs and Over 50 Current Students Attend

On Wednesday, December 17th at 6 PM, a special gathering for communication took place at the Picture House in Apgujeong, Seoul, bringing together Kookmin University students and alumni CEOs. Hosted by the Kookmin CEO Club, composed of alumni business leaders, this talk concert titled ‘Seeking Guidance from Seniors’ featured 25 alumni CEOs active across various fields sharing practical career advice and life philosophies with juniors.

Leading Korean Business Leaders Gather for Their Alma Mater's Juniors

The event saw a large attendance of alumni who have led major domestic companies. Participants included alumnus Yoon Jong Woong (Economics '69, current CEO of Evezary), who served as CEO of Hite Jinro and as the 35th to 37th President of the General Alumni Association; alumnus Yoo Jae Eun (Public Administration '75), founder of International Asset Trust; Park Hae Jin (Civil Engineering ‘76, CEO of Woosang Construction), former Vice President of the Korea Construction Engineers Association, and others participated, sharing valuable experiences for the benefit of their juniors.

“Trust over Technology, Attitude over Ability”... CEOs’ Life Management Philosophy

The first half of the talk concert featured the life philosophies CEOs had honed over decades in the field. Jung Joon Ho (Law ‘73, former CEO of Ahngook Pharm) emphasized the importance of 'trust’ within organizations, alongside the spirit of ‘Everything is created by the mind’. Chairman Yoo Jae Eun advised that the ‘power of relationships’ – meaning harmonious bonds with superiors, subordinates, colleagues, and family – is key to developing personal capability.

Kim Hyung Nam (Law ‘75, Vice Chairman of Daol Investment & Securities), President of the Alumni Association, cited 'sincerity’ as the highest value, conveying that quietly performing one's duties while helping others ultimately creates opportunities. Park Hae-jin, an alumnus, emphasized ‘patience, effort, pride, and self-respect’ as the strength that sustained him for 34 years in the construction industry, urging juniors to value themselves highly.

Interviewer's Perspective: “Demonstrate Creative Insight and Willingness to Contribute”

Practical advice on interviews and hiring particularly resonated with juniors. Jung Joon Ho explained the type of talent companies seek by sharing actual interview questions used in LG Group's new employee interviews. For example, he explained that a question like ‘How far can you hear the bell of Bosingak?’ is intended to assess ‘contemporary insight’ – an understanding of the interconnectedness of modern society where news spreads globally due to media development.

Kim Kyung Hee (Fashion '80, CEO of Ryannewyork), Chairperson of the Kookmin CEO Club, conveyed the harsh realities of the hiring market and countermeasures. Chairperson Kim advised, “Many students respond in interviews that they ‘came to learn,’ but companies are not places for education. You must clearly articulate how you will contribute to the company with your own capabilities.” She also emphasized that being knowledgeable about basic statistics, such as population size or number of holidays, as a measure of interest in the world, fosters a broader perspective.

“For the bright future of juniors”... Networking across generations

The latter part of the event featured close networking between seniors and juniors. Senior CEOs paired with juniors one-on-one using boards displaying their majors and business cards. Alumni CEOs including Hwang Sung Kwan (Chemistry '85, CEO of MFC Co., Ltd.), Kim Choon Hyung (Trade '79, CEO of Cozet), and Lee Dong Hwan (Economics '88, CEO of All For One) also contributed to the mentoring. An event where gifts prepared by the seniors, including a coat worth 500,000 won, were distributed through a rock-paper-scissors game added to the excitement.

Closing the event, Chairwoman Kim Kyung Hee encouraged the juniors, stating, “Today, you heard sincere stories that only seniors standing at the peak of their careers can share—stories that neither staff nor HR personnel could provide.” She added, “I hope the insights gained here become concrete momentum you can put into action immediately.” She further encouraged them, saying, “You are already CEOs managing your own names as brands,” and added, “I hope you build your own irreplaceable brand wherever you go.”

The event concluded successfully, moving beyond a simple advice session to a shared meal that reinforced the bonds of friendship across generations.