KB Financial Chairman Yang Jong-hee Urges New Female Managers to Strengthen Communication in AI Era

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

According to KB Financial on Saturday, Yang attended the group’s conference for newly appointed female branch managers on Thursday. He said women leaders should take pride in being recognized for ability and performance, not gender, and that finance is changing from selling products to caring for a customer’s entire life.

About 100 people, including Yang and the new female branch managers, attended. The program included a “Talk with Seniors” session in which senior female 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 views from the field.

KB Financial said the event carried added meaning as it was held ahead of International Women’s Day. The group said it is building a workplace 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 a gender-equal culture so employees from varied backgrounds can develop together.