수자원공사 웹진 물, 자연 그리고 사람

The Fresh Growth Momentum, Next S-Curve

In a ceremony held on November 14 at its headquarters to celebrate the 57th anniversary of its foundation, K-water announced its specific goal of becoming one of the global top 2 water corporations by 2035 and declared its pledge to accelerate its efforts further to expand its presence in the global water market. Since his inauguration in June 2023, K-water president Yun Seog-dae has emphasized that K-water would usher in a new era of water through changes and innovation to keep abreast of evolving expectations of the Korean public. In November, K-water declared its new vision of “a global water corporation that takes the lead in responding to climate change” in the face of a new era of water when water management has become a global challenge, and renewed its commitment to solving global water issues by revolutionizing the water industry.

In addition to the new vision of one of the global top 2 water corporations, Yun also announced that K-water would review the outcomes of the Global Scale-up Strategy Implementation Group launched in July 2024 and implement specific strategies to secure leadership in the global water market. The group has been actively communicating with 16 international organizations including UNEP and private corporations as well as working with Bluefield Research, the world’s leading water research institute, to work out strategies for successful operations and expansion of its global businesses. Previously, its overseas operations focused on developing infrastructure including dams and water purification plants; under the new vision, however, K-water plans to incorporate innovative digital technology into the current infrastructure and make inroads into the US, Europe, and other leading global markets to transform itself into a climate tech company as well as a global water company.

In particular, K-water focused on export strategies driven by water-based original digital technology including its AI water purification plant—which won the Global Lighthouse Network Award—and super-gap water management technology such as the digital twin that will pioneer a second Middle East boom in Saudi Arabia since “the so-called Middle East boom, referring to a construction spree by Korean builders in the region. It is also planning to lead the digital transformation to overcome the limitations of the current water management facilities by developing WaaS (Water-as-a-Service), a subscription-based new solution service. To this end, K-water plans to link global cooperation platforms including AWC via global marketing campaigns, expand its cutting-edge technology development competency constantly, and create an environment for the growth of Korea’s water industry by increasing investments. K-water will also diversify market entry approaches including forming strategic alliances to ensure speedy localization and further enhance its growth capacity by training regional specialists.

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• Being one of the global top 2 water corporations is certainly a goal we can achieve. We have always been able to predict future trends accurately and made changes in a timely manner. We are now in a new era where water has emerged as a key resource. It is time for us to use our competency and technology to the fullest.

  - K-water president Yun Seog-dae during his congratulatory speech -

The best Employee of the Year
Jung-bo Huh, Human Resources Development Institute

The highlight of the day—in addition to the declaration of the new vision—was the announcement of the K-water Employee of the Year, an award given to employees who have achieved outstanding results and served as an example for others. Ahead of the presentation, a video was shown. In the video, 9 employees of the month selected for January through September and K-water Employee of the Year Mi-ja Park had a special dialogue. They talked about how she was chosen for the award, what the criteria for selection was, and what the meaning of the award was. Following words of support from coworkers working with the final candidates, the winner was announced. Jung-bo Huh of the Human Resources Development Institute won the Employee of the Year award. Huh was recognized with the award for having won the bronze medal in water technology at the 47th WorldSkills Competition held in France in September. As the first Korean winner of the bronze medal in the water treatment technology category, Huh deserves the recognition for his contribution to raising the global profile of K-water and proving Korea’s superior water treatment technology in the international community.
Among the attendees at the ceremony were the new employees who have joined K-water in the second half of the year. During the ceremony, they shared their career ambitions and expressed how proud they felt as new members of K-water as they watched the declaration of the new vision and presentation of the Employee of the Year award, making the event even more fun and special. The ceremony was concluded with the declaration of the pledge that all employees will work together to fulfill the responsibility of the company as a global water market leader and play a pioneering role in opening a new era of water.

• Bronze medalist at the WorldSkills Competition 2024

  A testimony to Korea’s advanced
  water treatment technology

  I thought only those who achieved impressive results or who were exceptionally dedicated to the company were qualified to win the Employee of the Year award. I've been working at K-water for only 7 years so winning this award makes me feel happy but also aware of the responsibility involved.
  I want to thank the Human Resources Development Institute and staff at the Geojae Regional Office for helping me compete as a national representative. I couldn’t have done it without their support. I think everything was possible because so many people were interested and willing to help along the way. President Yun, the union leader, and the director of the Human Resources Development Institute gave me kind words of encouragement and support and treated me to nice meals while I was preparing for the competition. I hope I have a chance to return their favors. The next WorldSkills Competition will be held in Shanghai, and they are currently receiving applications. I would like to ask you to give support to the next K-water employees who will compete in the event. Thank you!

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