8. Samsung Leader Changes
On December 3, Samsung announced the promotion of a new president, Lee Jae-yong who is expected to strengthen strategic relationships with major customers around the world. Seemingly a family advancement, Lee Jae-yong’s sister Lee Boo-jin was also named the president of Samsung Everland Inc. in addition to CEO of Hotel Shilla. The previous president and chief executive officer of Samsung Electronics, Choi Gee-sung, advanced along with these two after being declared Vice Chairman of the company.
This group of new and young leaders is expected to change Samsung for the better by focusing on the long-term track of the company. The general public appears to have a positive feeling as the stock shares rose 2 percent right after the announced leader change. Samsung, a mega business coonglomerate, is exhibiting promise by the change to young, fresh minds and taking steps to establish a clear future plan full of confidence.
9. Korea Recognized for e-Government
On June 23, the UN declared that Korea was one of the five countries which advanced to the fourth step of governance, known as e-governance, by giving it the 'Global e-Government System 2010' award. The UN gives this award to the countries in which the electronic government system is actively utilized and easily accessed by all of its users. Indeed, Korea shows the rest of the world how complex situations can be cut down into one process through using this system. Through collaboration, other countries could advance and become more efficient with numerous parts of life such as residence change just as Korea has.
Korea is determined to be the government model to other nations around the world by sharing its technology through exporting it. Although the technology is advanced, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security works to improve the system. Currently, it is focusing on the software as well as the structuring of the archives. Overall, it is evident that Technology and Government has inevitably collided and it is in favor of Korea's future economic growth.
10. Nuclear Renaissance
On April 12, a trend was sweeping the world known as "Nuclear Renaissance" and nations such as South Korea, Japan, China, Russia, and India emerged into nuclear power market. Named Leaders, South Korea and Japan, have been pursuing major construction programs as these nations are highly depend on nuclear power and imported fuels. Although countries in this region of the world are the ones making progress, other nations are attempting to do the same with little progress as many of these projects would be funded by the state; conflict of interest arise in this situation and prevent progress from occurring.
Korea shined in this market, in particular Korea Power Engineering Company (KOPEC). The president of this company, An Seung-Kyoo proudly stated, "KOPEC has also acquired and accumulated advanced technological capabilities in diverse environmental fields including the air pollution control system. In the low carbon sustainable growth field, KOPEC has acquired advanced design engineering capability in the new and renewable energy sectors. As a result, KOPEC is now fully capable of providing total integrated EPC Project Services to various energy industries and utilities in Korea and abroad." Undoubtedly, the nuclear power industry is booming and proving to be fruitful for Korea and nations alike.
