#South Korea #Seoul #Kwang Mo Koo #LG Corp #New Year Address

LG Corp's New Year Address for 2026

On December 22, 2025, LG Corp's Chairman and CEO, Kwang Mo Koo, delivered an impactful video message to employees worldwide as part of his annual New Year address. This yearly tradition, initiated in 2022, allows LG employees to reflect on the past year and prepare for future endeavors.

In his address, Koo emphasized the pivotal moment LG finds itself in, stating, "We are at an inflection point where a new future is unfolding." He called for bold innovations that transcend LG's existing strategies, insisting that the company needs to turn its visionary goals into reality. With the market conditions evolving rapidly and customer expectations rising, he urged everyone at LG to prioritize innovations that create substantial value for future consumers.

Koo's core message revolved around identifying one primary value that resonates with customers, challenging his team to have the courage to focus on what truly matters. He mentioned, "It will require letting go of ten ordinary strengths to pinpoint one significant core value, but this clarity will enhance our innovation trajectory and unify our efforts."

Looking towards a decade ahead, Koo expressed the importance of shaping customers' experiences through innovation that makes them feel distinct and valued. He insisted that the relentless pursuit of exceeding customer expectations is essential to LG's future success, stating, "Today, we have the chance to craft a future filled with smiles for our customers. Let's take the concrete steps needed to realize these dreams today."

To bolster his message, Koo invited insights from three external experts who provided their perspectives on essential shifts in technology and market dynamics:

1. Change in Technology Paradigm: George Westerman, from MIT Sloan School of Management, highlighted the transformational potential of generative AI, likening it to the impact of electricity and the internet on society. He warned of significant, unpredictable changes ahead and stressed the importance of adaptability.

2. Change in Competition: Sunil Gupta, a Professor at Harvard Business School, remarked on the evolving foundations of business strategies. He emphasized that traditional approaches will no longer suffice in this rapidly changing landscape; companies must innovate and adopt new strategies to survive and thrive.

3. Change in Customer Expectations: Miyoung Jeon, CEO of Trend Korea Company, noted that today’s consumers demand higher standards and are looking for products that deliver genuine value and meaning, rather than simply the best price or quality.

Koo’s address reflects a consistent theme that began in 2019 when he first underscored customer-centricity as LG's core direction. Each year has built upon that foundation, as he articulated principles ranging from transforming customer lives to prioritizing empathy and understanding in product development.

In summarizing LG's decade-long evolution in its customer value management, Koo reiterated that the foundation established since his inception as CEO continues to drive company ambitions. He outlined key milestones from his presentations, converging all efforts towards crafting distinguished customer experiences that not only meet but exceed expectations.

LG, recognized for its cutting-edge innovations in consumer electronics, automotive components, and organic light-emitting displays, began its journey in 1947 and has grown into a global powerhouse. As LG looks forward to 2026, it aims to embrace the challenges of the future while remaining steadfast in its commitment to customer value, innovation, and evolving business practices that cater to a fast-paced environment.

In his concluding remarks, Koo inspired his employees, reiterating that LG is not just a participant in the industry but a leader poised to make a substantial impact on customers' lives through continual innovation and strategic foresight. His vision for 2026 is not only about technological advancement but also taps into LG's foundational philosophy of customer-first strategies inherent since its establishment.