Chey Tae-won calls for stable laws and regulations to create predictable business environment

Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won said Tuesday that laws, regulations and the broader business environment must be properly established for companies to adopt new technologies and develop talent.

Chey made the remarks at the "National Assembly Speaker–KCCI Economic Leap Forum" held at the KCCI's Chamber Lounge in Jung-gu, Seoul, noting that efforts to boost productivity through AI at the corporate level are growing rapidly.

The forum marked the first official meeting between the National Assembly and the business community since Speaker Cho Jung-sik took office. It was organized to explore ways for the two sides to cooperate on restoring the livelihood economy and building a foundation for sustainable growth.

"What companies value most in the investment process is predictability," Chey said. "A predictable environment — the foundation for preparing for the future — is only possible when laws and regulations operate in a stable manner." In response, Cho pledged that the National Assembly would back corporate systems and policies so that companies can invest and innovate freely.

Fifteen business representatives attended, including Chey, SK Group Vice Chairman Lee Hyung-hee, Korean Air Vice Chairman Woo Kee-hong, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee, Hyundai Motor President Sung Kim, LG Group President Ha Bum-jong, Hanwha President Kim Seung-mo, E-mart President Han Chae-yang, CJ Group President Heo Min-hoe and Doosan President Geum Dong-geun. The National Assembly was represented by four officials: Speaker Cho and his senior secretaries for political affairs, policy and public communications.

Participants discussed three main agenda items: the direction of AI policy, the roles of the National Assembly and the business community on youth employment, and measures to revitalize regional economies and promote balanced regional development. Business representatives also conveyed their on-the-ground difficulties and policy recommendations to the Assembly.

The National Assembly and the business community agreed to maintain ongoing communication on economic issues going forward. The KCCI said it plans to strengthen its dialogue with the Assembly to ensure that corporate voices are reflected in legislative and policy discussions.

During the closed-door session, business representatives presented their recommendations and received responses from the Assembly. Participants stressed the need for support in nurturing a physical AI robot ecosystem, noting that AI has emerged as a key factor determining industrial competitiveness and that building an ecosystem — including generating initial demand through public-sector robot adoption — is necessary. They also called for establishing a clear liability framework for AI robot operations and streamlining data center licensing procedures.

Participants also requested support for developing regional industrial hubs into foundations for future growth. They asked for conditions that would channel corporate investment into regions through measures such as designating mega special zones for robotics and hydrogen industries, creating RE100 (100 percent renewable energy) industrial complexes and easing related regulations.

Institutional support for strengthening competitiveness in advanced strategic industries was also discussed. Participants said the strategic importance of key materials, components and equipment is growing amid a global supply chain realignment. They called for legislative support to prevent the leakage of advanced technologies and asked that the scope of the National Advanced Strategic Industries Act be expanded to cover key new materials in the space, aviation and defense sectors.