Kim Dong-chan to Embark on Tuna Fishing Voyage Following Family Legacy
Kim Dong-chan (김동찬), the 25-year-old grandson of Dongwon Group's honorary chairman Kim Jae-cheol (김재철), is set to join a tuna fishing expedition aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel later this month. This marks a continuation of a family tradition that spans three generations, as Kim Jae-cheol, who founded Dongwon Group, has instilled a strong work ethic in his descendants.
Kim Jae-cheol, now 90, became the youngest captain in South Korea after spending three years at sea on the country's first deep-sea fishing vessel in 1958. His sons have also followed in his footsteps; his eldest son, Kim Nam-goo (김남구), chairman of Korea Investment Holdings, spent four months on a fishing boat during his university years, while his second son, Kim Nam-jung (김남정), chairman of Dongwon Group, began his career in a tuna canning factory after graduation.
Kim Dong-chan joined Dongwon Industries, the holding company of Dongwon Group, at the end of last year and is currently working in the marine and fisheries division. His upcoming voyage is seen as a significant step in his management training within the family business, especially given the deep-sea fishing sector's importance to Dongwon Group.
Kim Jae-cheol has often emphasized the value of resilience and hard work, stating, 'Just because you caught a lot of fish yesterday doesn't mean you'll catch a lot today, and vice versa. Every day presents a different sea and a different battle.' He believes in preparing his children for adversity, asserting that those who grow up in comfort often lack the resilience and patience needed to succeed.
Kim Dong-chan will travel to the equatorial region of the South Pacific, where he will spend a month aboard the fishing vessel, engaging in activities such as fish detection and net casting, gaining hands-on experience in the industry.
