Life in the Korea will be a guideline in other countries

(Interview)
with Mr. K. Katsumi MOL(Asia) representative in Korea .


The day when the worst dust storm in 40 years hit Korea and turned both the sky and ground yellow, I visited the Dongjoo building to interview the MOL representative in Korea, Mr. Katsumi. Though the Yellow Dust Storms, a seasonal phenomenon originating in Northern China, visit Korea every spring, that day made clear just how they could restrict people from their daily life as well as threaten their health.
It could probably be easily concluded that this Yellow Storm was a warning sign for humankind, those who destroy the environment under the guise of progress.

“Bluer Oceans and Cleaner Environment” is on annual report from the MOL on protecting the oceans that [BST1]has been in publication since 2000. When Mr. Katsumi was asked to introduce his company, MOL, he pointed to a blue “ocean environment protection[BST2]” poster hung on the wall and stressed this project’s importance to MOL.

-You just stressed how important this project is. Could you explain a little more about it?

“As everyone knows, the main stage for shipping companies is the sea. For shipping companies that want to operate vessels in safe conditions very badly, keeping the ocean environment clean and safe comes naturally to them. Yet, in spite of that, the oceans are still being contaminated.”

And as such, the MOL Group has adopted corporate principles to promote and protect our environment by maintaining strict, safe operation and navigation standards, as well as seizing opportunities to contribute to global economic growth and development by meeting customer needs, while maximizing corporate value by always being creative, continually pursuing higher operating efficiencies, and promoting an open and transparent management style guided by the highest ethical and social standards.
Especially, to eliminate a major cause of marine pollution, they are steadily replacing old ships with advanced, newly built ones, to ensure a high?quality fleet. For instance, they have led the shipping industry in the adoption of new double?hull tankers. On the navigation side, they have established the MOL Safety Management System in accordance with international treaties and ISO standards. It sets out detailed precautions on the management and operation of MOL’s fleet of 487 ships (as of the end of March 2001). Also of note, they have introduced their own environmental management system called ‘MOL EMS 21’.

It was 1964 when the rationalization process struck the maritime industry and the Japanese government forced large [BST3]shipping companies to merge. The MOL Group also experienced a merge at that time and one more since then. Two shipping companies, Osaka Shosen Kaisha and Mitsui Steam Ship were merged into Mitsui O. S. K. Line. And in 1999, Navix Line, taking charge of bulk carrier and tanker business, and Mitsui O. S. K. Line mingled together, keeping the Mitsui O. S. K. Line name.

_ I think every corporation has its own culture within their company. What do you think is particular to the MOL Group?

“Well, I think it would be ‘decentralization’, instead of ‘centralization’. This process has saved on expenses and allowed us to provide quick responses, whatever the situation is.”

-If the ‘decentralization’ process is actively pursued to a large extent, do you run the danger of a ‘unification problem’ for the group as a whole, and risk failing to organize the overall operations of the group?

“That problem can be solved by ‘Corporate Governance’, which is the unification process of all group members into a single direction where the [BST4]head company goes.”

Mr. Katsumi started his career twenties years ago. After joining the MOL Group, he worked in the car carrier department for 2 years, passenger ship department for 3 years and the rest in the liner service department. For the last 2 years and eight months he has been the Seoul representative of MOL (Asia). His career path has not been the norm considering his education; he majored in law in college.

-You earned a degree in law; what made you join a shipping company?

“A river runs through the middle of my hometown, Niigata. I spent two thirds of my college life yachting in this river. Accordingly, it just seemed natural that I apply to a shipping company. Especially, I had very strong desire to travel abroad and found a job to satisfy my desire.”

Working for twenty years in shipping companies, he traveled around the world including Papua New Guinea, Egypt, Turkey and Brazil, but he has not made it to Europe yet. Wherever he goes, he always finds a local supermarket. Interested in people and their different cultures, he explained the supermarket is the right place to gain real insight.

- Could you explain ‘representative’ in your own words?

“I act as the ‘bridge man’ between MOL and the MOL Korean agency ‘Pan Continental Shipping’. Part of that involves making decisions on liner rates in the Korean market. In order to create a freer atmosphere I removed my office door to allow people to more easily call by my room and talk with me.”

Except for the above mentioned official duties, Mr. Katsumi also has to receive visitors from Japan. Before he came to Korea, two representatives from the liner and tramp departments took turns to receive out of town visitors. However, since headquarters restructured positions, he takes on the entire responsibility for visitors himself. [BST5]Entertaining visitors from Japan is the most stressful thing for him.

“In my first year of duties in Seoul, I was seriously stressed. Without any prior experience in this, I had no idea to handle all of the work. Fortunately after the first year, I got accustomed to my work and more aware of how to keep the work flow going well.”

-Could you tell me about your daily schedule?

“Getting up around at between 6 and 6:30, I usually leave home about 7:20. Arriving at the office at 7:50, I take a Korean class from 8 to 9:30. After that, I check my e-mail, and then meet with agency people or representatives from other companies.”

When he first came to Korea, his predecessor advised him to “not dislike Korea,” before leaving. Mr. Katsumi vividly remembers him recommending that he approach Korea with an open mind. He understood it is up to each person to either accept or reject a culture after experiencing it, but basing that decision on other people’s opinions was not particularly fruitful.

-What or how does Korea or do Koreans look to you?

“I think it is difficult to answer. It is obvious, however, that my life in Korea will act as a guideline for future life in other countries.”

He visits Yokohama once a month to meet his family, his wife and three year old daughter, hoping his daughter hasn’t forgotten him. When staying in Korea, he usually relaxes by taking the bus or subway to Seoul’s older markets, Kyoungdong market, Karak market, Namdaemun market or Dongdaemun market, , to window shop. The public transportation system provides a good opportunity to practice his Korean skills.

Mr. Katsumi said “Hahoe Folk Village” in Ahndong was the most impressive amongst the places he has visited in Korea - he marks every place he visits on a map.

The TV weather man reported that above average temperatures this year caused the cherry blossoms to burst into bloom about 10 days earlier than is normal, i.e. late March. On April [BST6]5, Arbor day, Mr. Katsumi went down to Jinhae to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms Festival at the Naval Base. I just hope that he has some beautiful memories of that day despite missing the high ? point of the cherry blossom season. .