Hanwha Group celebrating 69th year of founding vowed to continue with aggressive investment in space, clean energy and finance.

“The market has approved of our large-scale investments towards new path,” said Kim Seung-youn, chairman of Hanwha Group, naming the three areas for growth in his celebratory video message to employees Tuesday to mark the 69th anniversary of the group’s foundation.

Kim has returned to management earlier this year after self-exile upon serving three years for embezzlement from 2014.

The conglomerate has lately most active in space business led by space project team “Space Hub” under Kim Dong-kwan, the eldest son of the group’s chairman and president of Hanwha Solutions. Space Hub is a type of task force joined by professionals from Hanwha-invested local satellite developer Satrec Initiative and Hanwha’s defense affiliates including Hanwha Aerospace. It also manages environmentally-friendly business such as hydrogen.

Kim also called for a swift digitization in management in general from securing competitiveness in future new businesses to manufacturing, sales, and human resources.

Digital transformation in the conglomerate is led by Kim Dong-won, younger son of the chairman and vice president of Hanwha Life Insurance. Kim is the group’s chief digital strategy officer.

The chairman also urged employees to put out efforts so that Hanwha Group becomes a sustainable entity at higher level than social requirement.

In January, Hanwha Group’s financial affiliates declared “coal-free finance.” Hanwha Corp. and Hanwha Solutions also successfully sold environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) bonds for investment in green energy business.

In October, Hanwha affiliates were also actively engaged in corporate social activities.

Five companies with research and development centers in Pangyo including Hanwha Aerospace held an event that donates reusable items. Hanwha Total also donated 10 million won ($8,369) to create forest to prevent desertification.

By Lee Yu-sup and Lee Eun-joo

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