Ottogi held a memorial service to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the late Honorary Chairman Ham Tae-ho, reflecting on the founding principles of quality first and sharing.
On September 11, Ottogi conducted the memorial service at Ham Tae-ho Hall in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by Ottogi Chairman Ham Young-jun, President Hwang Seong-man, and other employees who paid their respects with flower offerings.
Born in 1930 in Wonsan, Ham Tae-ho volunteered for military service during the Korean War. After gaining management experience in the food raw materials industry, he founded the predecessor of Ottogi, Punglim Sangsa, in 1969, entering the food business.
Starting with the launch of 'Ottogi Curry' that same year, he expanded the product line to include soups, ketchup, mayonnaise, and vinegar. He also introduced instant foods like 'Ottogi 3-Minute Curry,' contributing to the development of domestic food culture.
Ham emphasized that "we must create products with the mindset that they are food for our families," prioritizing quality as the foremost value. He valued the concept of 'Food for the Nation' and the social responsibilities of businesses. The tradition of raising the national flag at all Ottogi factories and singing the national anthem at monthly meetings and major events originated from this founding spirit.
He consistently focused on social contributions, starting to support children with congenital heart disease through the Korean Heart Foundation in 1992. In 1996, he established the Ottogi Ham Tae-ho Foundation, expanding charitable efforts through scholarship programs and academic support. The initiative, which began by helping five children monthly, has supported a total of 6,783 children as of August this year.
Under the corporate philosophy of contributing to the improvement of human dietary habits and health, Ottogi continues to uphold the founder's management principles. This year, the Anyang factory opened 'Ham Tae-ho Hall,' a heritage space showcasing the life and management philosophy of Ham, as well as the history of Ottogi and domestic food culture.
Ham Young-jun, Chairman of Ottogi, stated, "It is crucial to inherit and develop the founding spirit and management philosophy of founder Ham Tae-ho, ensuring that Ottogi remains a sustainable company regardless of who leads it. We will continue to contribute to the improvement of human dietary habits, carrying on the meaning of 'Punglim' and striving to move forward without resting on past achievements."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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