KB Financial Chairman Yang Jong-hee Urges New Women Managers to Prioritize Communication in AI Era

Yang Jong-hee, chairman of KB Financial Group, told newly appointed women branch managers that communication and empathy matter even more in the age of artificial intelligence, calling for inclusive leadership.

KB Financial said Sunday that Yang attended a group conference on March 6 for newly appointed women branch managers. He said women leaders should take pride in being recognized for ability and performance, not gender, and stressed that finance is shifting beyond product sales to a role that supports a customer’s entire life.

About 100 people, including Yang and the new managers, attended. The program included a “Talk with Seniors” session in which senior women executives answered questions and shared advice, followed by a “Talk with the Group CEO” session where Yang spoke directly with the new managers and heard feedback from the field.

The event was held ahead of International Women’s Day. KB Financial said it is working to build a culture where women can develop their potential under its diversity strategy, “KB Diversity 2027.”

A KB Financial official said the group is expanding its pipeline of women leaders and practicing diversity and inclusion across the organization, adding it will continue to support women’s growth and promote gender equality so employees from varied backgrounds can develop together.