View of the Seoul skyline and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a symbol of the city's focus on innovation and global design.
SEOUL · April 7, 2026 : Seoul’s status as a global innovation powerhouse reached a milestone this week as two distinct markers of success converged. While local startups dominated the international stage at CES 2026, the city’s female business leadership earned major regional accolades. Together, these developments signal a city no longer just participating in global markets, but defining its trajectory through a unified push for excellence and representation.
Leadership Beyond Borders
EY has officially named Hae Ryun Kim, Chairwoman and CEO of Taekyung Group, to its prestigious Entrepreneurial Winning Women Asia-Pacific Class of 2026. This selection places a Korean leader alongside top innovators from Singapore, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Kim’s recognition is more than a corporate achievement; it underscores the rising influence of women in high-level leadership within traditional industrial sectors. Her inclusion in this regional cohort highlights the increasing visibility of female executives who are scaling large-scale operations across the Asia-Pacific corridor.
Entrepreneurs and investors gather at the Seoul pavilion during a global technology exhibition to discuss the future of the local startup ecosystem.
Global Tech Dominance
Simultaneously, Seoul’s tech ecosystem has demonstrated unprecedented strength. The Seoul pavilion at CES 2026, representing the largest unified local startup presence at the event, saw Korean companies secure approximately 60% of all Innovation Awards. This level of dominance reflects a matured infrastructure for venture capital and research and development (R&D). The success at CES validates the city’s strategic investment in building a cohesive ecosystem where small startups can compete directly with global conglomerates.
A Unified Strategic Direction
These parallel successes point toward a singular strategic direction. Seoul is leveraging both diversity and technical agility to maintain its competitive edge. As the city moves toward its goal of becoming a "Global Top 5 City," the integration of diverse perspectives in executive leadership alongside aggressive technical output from its startup sector is proving to be the primary engine for sustained economic growth.
Source: EY / KoreaTechDesk : April 2026
Tags: Seoul / Women Entrepreneurs / Startups / CES 2026 / EY / Innovation
