Anchor: The nation’s major business groups held kickoff meetings on Monday to mark the first working day of the new year. Business leaders stressed the need for innovation and competitiveness, citing that the national economy faces challenges in 2016.
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.
 
Report:  Samsung Group, whose chairman Lee Kun-hee remains bedridden, did not hold an official kickoff meeting on Monday. Instead, Samsung affiliate companies held their own meetings to mark the first day of work in the new year.  
 
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun said in a New Year's speech that the boundaries among industries are coming down, stressing the need for new ways to compete.
 
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo emphasized that boosting competitiveness is the most important task to reap growth at a time when uncertainties have expanded in the global economy.
 
Chung unveiled that his conglomerate is aiming to sell eight-point-13 million units worldwide this year, or 120-thousand more than last year.
 
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said in a kickoff meeting that in 2016 business environments both at home and abroad are expected to face uncertainties. He then proposed overcoming the crisis with innovation, sincerity and ambition.
 
Through such efforts, Chey vowed to contribute to revitalizing the national economy and to creating social values on which South Korean society can move forward.
 
LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo stressed that efforts must be centered on projects that can create differentiated values through strengthened innovation and competitiveness.
 
Koo said for areas that have growth potential, including auto parts and energy, active efforts must be made to secure the markets first.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.