Ryu Jin, chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, delivers a welcome address at the 2026 FKI CEO Jeju Summer Forum at Lotte Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, on Wednesday. [Federation of Korean Industries]
Ryu Jin, chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, delivers a welcome address at the 2026 FKI CEO Jeju Summer Forum at Lotte Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, on Wednesday. [Federation of Korean Industries]

Ryu Jin, chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), said Wednesday that 2026 deserves to be recorded as "year one of the AI era" and stressed the importance of strategy and infrastructure to drive a sweeping transformation of South Korea's industries.

Ryu made the remarks in a welcome address at the opening of the 2026 FKI CEO Jeju Summer Forum at Lotte Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. "If the past 50 years were the era of 'Made in Korea' — a nation that makes things well — the AI era must be one of 'Innovated in Korea,' a nation that innovates well," he said.

Ryu said South Korea has a solid foundation in manufacturing and digital infrastructure, with strong competitiveness in semiconductors and manufacturing AI. "We have the fundamental fitness to meet the AI era, but the challenge ultimately comes down to execution," he said.

He went on to say the FKI would pursue the "New K-Industry" vision it unveiled earlier this year, pledging to "create next-generation growth engines by combining the AI transformation of manufacturing with innovation in the service industry and energy sector."

Ryu also disclosed that he had met with Princess Anne — formally Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, sister of Britain's King Charles III — before attending the forum Wednesday.

"I explained to Princess Anne the plan to erect a statue of Queen Elizabeth II at Hahoe Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province," he said, adding that the installation would be completed within the year.

Andong, also Ryu's hometown, drew worldwide attention in 1999 when Queen Elizabeth II visited the city.

Now in its 39th year, the Jeju Summer Forum runs through Saturday under the theme "South Korea's Great Leap to AI Powerhouse," spanning three nights and four days. About 400 business leaders are taking part to explore corporate survival strategies and future management directions in the AI era.

The forum opened Wednesday with a keynote address by Choi Jae-sik, a designated chair professor at KAIST, with leading experts across various fields set to share AI innovation strategies throughout the event.

On the second day, Lee Se-dol, a special professor at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), will discuss the strategic judgment leaders must develop amid the AI upheaval. Baek Jun-ho, chief executive of Furiosa AI, will analyze global AI industry trends with a focus on the race for AI infrastructure dominance and data centers.

Kang Seok-hoon, chief executive of Ably, will share a data-driven customer experience innovation strategy drawn from the company's success in AI-based personalized services.

On the third day, Park Min-jun, AX chief executive of Wrtn Technologies, will present methodologies for real-world AI transformation, while science communicator Gwedo will engage participants by interpreting the rapidly changing technology landscape through a humanities lens.

On the final day, Song Gil-young, author and data analyst, will outline future operating models that companies should adopt in the AI era. Ha Jung-woo, former senior presidential secretary for AI future planning, will deliver the closing address, exploring the roles of government and business in the AI era and the concrete direction of public-private cooperation to strengthen South Korea's AI competitiveness.

The FKI said the forum would go beyond helping business leaders think through corporate survival strategies in the AI era, and would "firmly establish itself as a premier communication platform where industry leaders share the latest management trends and explore new opportunities for cooperation."


joze@heraldcorp.com