General News

From January to March, the Chamber actively involved in facilitating dialogues with the Korean and European governments. The highlights include meeting with the Seoul mayor candidates Park Young Sun and Ahn Cheol Soo.

ECCK News

On January 14, the ECCK hosted a virtual New Year Greeting event to thank our valued members and partners for their support through a challenging year and to wish everyone a brighter future in the new year ahead.

Joined by over 150 participants, the online event opened with a new year’s greeting from ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat, followed by new year’s messages from special guests, Maria Castillo-Fernandez, EU Ambassador to Korea, and Henri Gétaz, EFTA Secretary-General.

The event concluded with a special performance video by Sejong Soloists. We would like to thank our special guests for their kind words and Four Seasons Hotel Seoul and Fendi for their kind support of the event.

ECCK holds virtual New Year Greeting event 2021

January 14, 2021

On March 15, ECCK hosted a special meeting with Seoul city mayor candidate Park Young-sun of Democratic Party. ECCK shared candid opinions on business landscape in Seoul and discussed ways to further develop Seoul into a global economic hub. Candidate Park discussed her vision and pledges for the city and ideas to improve the investment environment for the foreign business community in Seoul. The meeting was also joined by National Assembly member Kang Sun-woo.

“ In 2019 and 2020, when Seoul mayor candidate Park was heading the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Chamber had the honor to organize successful business meetings with her and many European CEOs in attendance. Thanks to Candidate Park’s strong leadership and concerted efforts leading the ministry over the past two years, we were able to achieve many fruitful results from those meetings. Based on her experience and capabilities as a veteran politician and her expertise in economic affairs, we strongly believe Mrs Park’s vision will lead Seoul into an even better place for business and innovation to foster with the improvement of livelihoods of the citizens.”, said ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat.

Meeting with Seoul Mayor Candidate Park Young Sun

March 15, 2021

On March 2, ECCK hosted a special meeting with Seoul city mayor candidate Chairman Ahn Cheol Soo of the People’s Party. ECCK shared candid opinions on business landscape in Seoul and discussed ways to further develop Seoul into a global city with a fair market economy. Chairman Ahn discussed his vision and pledges for the city and ideas to improve the investment environment for the foreign business community in Seoul. The meeting was also joined by National Assembly members Ms. Choi Youn-suk and Ms. Kwon Eun-hee.

“With his vast experience in the global environment and as a former software entrepreneur, I strongly believe his vision will lead Seoul into an even better place for business and innovation to foster with the improvement of livelihoods of the citizens. The European business community is fully behind and supportive of any initiative to further strengthen the investment and business landscape of Seoul.”, said ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat.

(Photo credit: Yonhap News)

Meeting with Seoul Mayor Candidate Ahn Cheol Soo

March 2, 2021

European national chambers and business councils in Korea released the results of Business Confidence Survey 2020 on March 22. 127 executives of European companies, representing over 47,000 employees and a total turnover of EUR 49.6 billion (equivalent to KRW 65.0 trillion), participated in the survey.

Since 2014, the Business Confidence Survey has been conducted to take an annual snapshot of European companies’ perceptions towards the business environment in Korea. In partnership with Roland Berger Seoul, 11 European national chambers and business councils in Korea collectively organized the survey. The European chambers hope the survey serves as a useful tool for businesspeople and policy makers to make future forward decisions for the mutual benefit of the Korean and European businesses.

Click here to find the Business Confidence Survey 2020

European chambers release Business Confidence Survey 2020 results

March 22, 2021

The ECCK is pleased to announce that the ECCK Annual Report 2020 is now available. Its purpose is to provide our members and partners with the highlight of ECCK’s activities and achievements throughout the preceding year.

Despite facing tough challenges from the global health crisis, we were able to accomplish another successful year with our valued members and partners’ continued support throughout the year.

Click here to find the ECCK Annual Report 2020

ECCK Annual Report 2020 Now Available

March 5, 2021

On January 14, ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat and President Christoph Heider paid a courtesy visit to KITA Chairman & CEO Kim Young Ju.

During the meeting, they shared their opinions on the impacts from COVID-19 on the businesses including trade. In relation with the EU-Korea FTA 10th Anniversary and the EFTA-Korea FTA 15th Anniversary, ECCK and KITA will cooperate to organize events in 2021.

Courtesy Visit to KITA Chairman & CEO Kim Young Ju

January 15, 2021

On the evening of March 18, the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Korea hosted a business roundtable with the ECCK Busan members’ representatives at Grand Josun Busan.

ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat kicked off the roundtable with a welcome address. Followed by the opening, honorable EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo-Fernandez outlined EU priorities in the fields of diplomacy and trade, focusing on the strategic relationship with the Republic of Korea.

The floor was then open for participants to share sectoral business perspectives and any market access issue to further exchange with the EU Delegation. The business roundtable alongside the dinner ended with a closing address by the ECCK Chairperson.

Business Roundtable in Busan with EU Ambassador

March 19, 2021

On January 8, ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat and President Christoph Heider paid a courtesy visit to Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) Chairman Sohn Kyung Shik at CJ The Center.

The two sides had a discussion on business prospects in 2021, including business impacts from the Brexit and the economies post COVID-19. Also, they agreed on future cooperation between the ECCK and the KEF.

Courtesy Visit to KEF Chairman Sohn Kyung Shik

January 8, 2021

On February 16, ECCK President Christoph Heider had a meeting with KCCP (Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership) Chairman Kwon Ki Hong. They discussed the directions of both organizations in 2021 with full descriptions and agreed on future cooperation between ECCK and KCCP.

ECCK Meets Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership (KCCP)

February 16, 2021

On January 27, ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat and President Christoph Heider had online courtesy meetings with KOTRA President Kwon Pyung-oh and Ombudsman Kim Sung Jin.

They had a discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on the economies and showed appreciation to each other for a great collaboration among ECCK, KOTRA and Ombudsman Office to overcome the pandemic’s adversities. They agreed on cooperating furthermore for the betterment of the business environment in Korea.

Courtesy Meetings with KOTRA President Kwon Pyung-oh and Ombudsman Kim Sung Jin

January 27, 2021

On January 18, ECCK President Christoph Heider paid a courtesy visit to FKI Vice Chairman & CEO Kwon Tae Shin.

They discussed on many points including how to improve business environment in Korea. Also, they agreed on future cooperation between ECCK and FKI in the fields of deregulation and ESG global movement.

Courtesy Visit to FKI Vice Chairman & CEO Kwon Tae Shin

January 19, 2021

On January 25, ECCK President Christoph Heider paid a courtesy visit to KCCI Executive Vice Chairman Woo Taehee.

They agreed on future cooperation between ECCK and KCCI such as hosting ‘International Conference’ with the agenda of SDGs including ESG Program and improving business environment related with regulatory legislations. ECCK and KCCI will try to organize a Roundtable meeting with MOTIE or MOEF on FDI issues and business grievances.

Courtesy Visit to KCCI Executive Vice Chairman Woo Taehee

January 25, 2021

On January 28, ECCK participated in ‘The 8th Industry Development Forum’ organized by Korea Industry Associated Forum (KIAF) and Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) to discuss about the Korean business and investment environment and its outlook in 2021 with foreign business leaders in Korea. ECCK Chairperson Dirk Lukat delivered a speech on European business community’s view on Korea’s business and regulatory environment focusing on the importance of harmonization of international standards. The event was joined by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, GM Korea, AMCHAM, Renault Samsung, and Korean Metal Workers’ Union.

“Continued engagement and dialogue between business, governments, and all other stakeholders is vital for refining policies, regulations and rules, to help ensure that good ideas and policies, can be turned into future oriented actions. The market needs constant adjustment of polices, to be in line with international best practices that will encourage innovation and facilitate investment.”, said Chairperson Lukat.

(Photo: KIAF)

ECCK speaks at the 8th Industry Development Forum

January 28, 2021

ECCK is pleased to share the news that our long-valued member Fissler GmbH has made a generous donation to ECCK Charity Partners who are having a difficult time due to the prolonged Covid-19 crisis. Fissler has provided KRW 30 million worth of its kitchen utensils to social welfare charities and organizations to help families and communities in need. Donations were delivered to the Chamber’s charity partners including Anna’s House, Jeon Jin Sang Clinic, and Migrant Pastoral Commission. We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Fissler for their kind donation. The ECCK will continue to help promote a healthy giving culture and increase donations to benefit social welfare charities and organizations who are suffering from the pandemic.

(Image Source: Fissler Korea)

Fissler donates KRW 30 mil to ECCK Charity Partners

March 9, 2021

ECCK President Christoph Heider has been nominated by Patrick Yoon, Country Manager, Korea and Mongolia at Visa, to participate in the “Thank You, Essential Workers” (고맙습니다, 필수노동자) campaign to encourage the essential workers who are continuing their service despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Special thanks to Patrick for nominating me to join this campaign. I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to all essential workers for their continued perseverance and dedication to work at hand during this difficult time. Next, I would like to nominate honorable EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo-Fernandez to join me in this campaign.”

ECCK joins “Thank you! Essential Workers!” social media campaign

February 9, 2021

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