12 Dong-A Alumni Magazine 2023 VOL. 121

Continuing Corporate Success Through Social Contribution Together
Mr. Hong Il-suk, CEO of Daebang Industry Co., Ltd.
Mr. Hong Jun-hyung, Director

◆ Q. As a distinguished benefactor alumnus of Dong-A University, do you have a special affection for your alma mater?

A. Hong Il-suk, CEO
During my professional career, I have witnessed many Dong-A University alumni making remarkable achievements around the world. Their accomplishments have inspired me, and I have always tried my best to follow their example. For the same reason, I encouraged my son, Director Hong Jun-hyung, to attend Dong-A University, a prestigious university in our region.

◆ Q. Many people think about social service or charitable activities, but it is not easy to put those thoughts into action.

A. Hong Il-suk, CEO
I have always been deeply inspired by the noble examples set by distinguished alumni such as Kang Byung-jung, Shin Jung-taek, the late Shin Choon-ho, and Kim Man-soo, who devoted themselves to their alma mater and society. Reflecting on their spirit, I increasingly felt that a company's profits should be returned to society.
In Togo, where I spent many years, I have been engaged in medical support activities, including AIDS prevention programs, with assistance from local hospitals and corporate sponsors. Looking ahead, I am pursuing the establishment of a technical school for orphans. Through this project, I hope to connect retired Korean engineers with African children who have lost their parents due to civil wars and endemic diseases, enabling them to learn essential industrial skills such as welding, milling, and lathe operation and thereby build a foundation for self-reliance.

◆ Q. You encouraged Director Hong Jun-hyung to learn three languages so that he could pursue his dreams on a broader international stage. He also joined you in presenting the development fund donation. As a father, what is your philosophy on education?

A. Hong Il-suk, CEO
The place where I spent the longest period of my career was Togo, West Africa. Since Togo was formerly a French colony, French is widely used there. Because my son attended a British school, he was able to acquire both English and French simultaneously.
Exports have long been a key pillar of Korea’s economy, and I hoped that my son would contribute to international trade and commerce. Since foreign language proficiency is essential in today's globalized world, I also encouraged him to study Spanish.
Borrowing Aristotle's words, “One swallow does not make a summer, nor does one fine day make a happy life,” I advise him to persevere consistently and to become a person who uses wealth in a meaningful and valuable way.

◆ Q. How does your family support your father's social contribution and charitable activities? From a son's perspective, what kind of business leader and father is he?

A. Hong Jun-hyung, Director
As a business leader, my father is very strict. He devotes himself entirely to his work throughout the year, with virtually no other hobbies. He has always emphasized that corporate social responsibility is just as important as generating profits and has maintained a firm management philosophy based on that belief.
Seeing him continuously engage in social contribution and charitable work in various forms fills me with pride and respect.
My family has always actively supported his endeavors. Unlike my exemplary younger sibling, I spent a period of my life lacking clear direction, but my father never gave up on me. He provided support and guidance in many ways, including overseas education. After working at another company, I later joined my father's business. At first, we occasionally experienced conflicts due to differences in management philosophy and mindset between generations. However, as time passed, I came to understand him much better as both a business leader and a father.

◆ Q. Please introduce the Dong-A Business Forum, in which you are actively involved.

A. Hong Il-suk, CEO
The Dong-A Business Forum is the largest business forum in the Busan and Gyeongnam region. It was founded through the efforts of Dong-A University alumni, with former Sejeong Group Chairman Park Soon-ho and Former Dong-A University President Kwon Oh-chang serving as founding initiators.
I served as the forum’s inaugural vice chairman and currently remain involved as an auditor. The forum contributes to restoring Busan’s status as a leading industrial and cultural city. We are also actively advocating for the early opening of the new Gadeokdo International Airport for future generations.

◆ Q. As an entrepreneur who pioneered markets throughout Africa beginning in the 1990s, when very few Koreans were active there, what advice would you like to offer younger Dong-A University alumni?

A. Hong Il-suk, CEO
Working for a stable large corporation is certainly a good option, but I also believe there is great value in living an active and adventurous life while developing one’s abilities on a broader global stage.
Last year, I served as an adjunct professor in the Department of International Studies at the Graduate School of International Affairs of my alma mater, helping to nurture future talent. If there are younger alumni who wish to challenge themselves in the largely unexplored continent of Africa, I would be happy to share my experiences and provide active support and guidance based on the knowledge I have accumulated over the years.