1,500 women CEOs gather in Jeju... Governor Wi Seong-gon: “Support for companies investing in Jeju”

【Financial News Jeju = Jeong Yong-bok, reporter】 With some 1,500 women business leaders from across the country gathered in Jeju, Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon expressed his commitment to supporting them, calling for investment in the region and companies to relocate there. The event included exchanges between women-led businesses from across the country and Jeju companies, as well as introductions to the investment environment and support programs, in a region where women lead 41.9% of businesses.
According to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association on the 26th, the “2026 WE-CON National Women CEOs’ Management Training” opened that day at International Convention Center Jeju. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, organized by the Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association and sponsored by Jeju Province, the event runs for two days through the 27th.
Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon attended the opening ceremony, outlined Jeju’s investment environment and approach to supporting businesses to women business leaders from across the country, and invited them to establish a presence in Jeju.
Governor Wi said, “We will provide particular support to companies that invest in Jeju and come here.” The aim was to encourage them to seek new business opportunities in Jeju as it responds to industrial restructuring centered on decarbonization and artificial intelligence (AI). At an investment briefing held after the opening ceremony, Jeju Province introduced the region’s investment environment and business support programs.
The meeting between women business leaders from across the country and Jeju companies also reflects the region’s business makeup. According to an analysis by the Jeju Women and Family Research Institute of the National Data Agency’s Census on Establishments, women led 41,988 of the 100,168 businesses in Jeju in 2024, or 41.9%. That was 4.3 percentage points higher than the nationwide rate of 37.6%, using the same criteria.

With a nationwide business networking event taking place in Jeju, where women-led businesses make up a large share of all businesses, promoting local companies’ products and expanding their customer base are key areas of interest.
An exhibition space was set up at the venue for products from companies affiliated with the Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association’s regional chapters. Products from a range of fields—including processed agricultural and marine products, cosmetics, household goods and crafts—were presented, and business consultation booths offered advice on challenges encountered in running a business.
This management training continues a nationwide networking event for women CEOs that began in 1999. This year, the organizers introduced the name “WE-CON,” emphasizing connection and cooperation among women business leaders.
The event addressed strengthening women-led businesses’ management capabilities, AI transformation and leadership as key topics. Programs were organized to share ways companies can use AI in management and their operations, as well as strategies for responding to changes in the business environment.
Special lectures featured Mun Seong-hu, CEO of Moonlead Lab; Byeon Hyeong-gyun, CEO of the Chungbuk Center for Creative Economy and Innovation; and Kim Won-gil, CEO of Vainer. Attendees shared their business experience and approaches to responding to technological change, and examples of successful management from different regions were also presented.

The opening ceremony also featured a performance introducing Jeju’s haenyeo culture and an event proclaiming a vision for the future of women-led businesses.
Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association President Park Chang-suk highlighted the importance of cooperation among businesses, referring to the tradition of Jeju haenyeo sharing their diving experiences and information about the sea at the “bulteok,” a shared workspace.
President Park said, “I will take the lead in fostering mutual growth and cooperation among women-led businesses so they can find opportunities and share their achievements.”
On the 27th, the second day of the event, participants from 21 regional chapters across the country are scheduled to visit traditional markets and other sites in Jeju as part of a local tour program. The itinerary is intended to connect event participation with local businesses.
The management training in Jeju focused on networking among women business leaders and strengthening their management capabilities. Whether the investment environment and business support programs presented to business leaders from across the country lead to increased business dealings for local companies and new investment remains a task for follow-up.


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