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Registered as an Excellent Product by the Public Procurement Service... No. 1 in Domestic Public Procurement Sales for Three Consecutive Years
Chun Byung-min, CEO of KSIS, explains the product manufacturing process at the company’s production plant in Sasang-gu, Busan, on the 25th = Reporter Lee Jeong-hee
“Our goal is to globalize the K-brand by establishing LEDs as a core domestic industry and a future growth engine, and by securing core micro-LED technology to leap forward as a global powerhouse.” Headquartered in Busan, KSYS (CEO Cheon Byung-min) was also selected as a “Busan Youth-Attracting Company.” The company’s ultimate value lies in people; it aims to create a platform for communication that contributes to humanity, changing the world and sharing creative solutions. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductors that emit light when an electric current passes through them, representing a revolution in lighting. They are highly energy-efficient, have a long lifespan, and are environmentally friendly. As a company that connects “you” and “us,” it seeks to build connections in all aspects of life through the five senses—seeing, touching, and understanding. K-Sys manufactured Korea’s first LED information display and was recognized by the Public Procurement Service as an excellent and innovative product. With five domestic branches, the company has ranked first in the number of contracts, deliveries, and installations with the Public Procurement Service for three consecutive years. Recently, it has expanded operations to include a U.S. branch and is exploring further global expansion. In particular, having secured over 130 unique licenses and patents, the company has established a competitive edge distinct from importers and distributors through its domestic smart automated factory operations. With an annual production capacity of 150,000 LED modules, it directly manufactures a wide range of products, including indoor and outdoor display boards, electronic banners, and banner-type displays. The following is a Q&A with Cheon Byung-min, CEO of K-Sys.
Chun Byung-min, CEO of K-Sys, is introducing the company’s patent certificates at its headquarters in Jin-gu, Busan, on the 25th = K-Sys
-You have acquired over 130 unique licenses and patents. What kind of company is this? ▲Marking our 22nd anniversary, we initially focused on network and IT infrastructure construction. After transitioning to the LED display business 15 years ago, we grew into a leading company with the highest number of government procurement contracts nationwide through consistent technological development and investment in facilities. We have now evolved beyond simply distributing products to become a specialized LED display company that handles the entire process—from PCB design to direct production, installation, and maintenance. By operating an SMT line and leveraging numerous technical patents and various certifications, the company has secured quality reliability and was designated as the first “Innovative Product” and “Excellent Product” for public information displays by the Public Procurement Service in Korea. Supplying products to public institutions, local governments, public corporations, and schools, the company contributes to the construction of safe and reliable public digital infrastructure and is growing into a leading K-Display company recognized not only domestically but also in the global market. -The catalyst for entering the U.S. market and the outlook for the global LED market: ▲The global LED display market is showing the strongest growth centered on the United States. Demand for large-scale displays in the U.S. for sports, performances, exhibitions, and advertising is exploding, accounting for over 35% of global demand. Last June, we participated in the InfoComm exhibition in Orlando, U.S., and witnessed firsthand the positive response from global buyers. Although we were the first to launch our products, a systematic analysis of the U.S. public procurement LED market revealed very promising results. This is why we established a branch office in Las Vegas, and we have already reserved a space to operate our own booth next year. We are also preparing a next-generation micro-LED production line for new product development. Since it would be unwise to invest solely in the domestic public market, we needed a foothold in the overseas market. - Your product was designated as an "Excellent Product" and "Innovative Product" for LED signage by the Public Procurement Service—was there any behind-the-scenes effort involved? ▲ Although it wasn’t visible on the surface, a great deal of effort went into it. We operate an in-house research institute dedicated to R&D and have secured numerous core technologies, including a patent for an integrated hub board, an AI-based fault diagnosis system, and low-power, high-efficiency LED modules. We proactively obtained certifications such as KC, SQ, Q-Mark, Environmental Labeling, and GS Certification to establish a quality system recognized not only by public institutions but also in the global market. The designation as an Excellent Product and Innovative Product is not an overnight achievement but the result of 20 years of consistent investment, technological concentration, and quality management. In particular, while the Excellent Product and Innovative Product designations are important, we are also striving to establish a solid foundation for the core manufacturing industry. If Korea’s manufacturing sector relies on imported products, the industrial infrastructure could weaken. K-Sys safeguards the core industries by establishing all specialized production facilities—including SMT, outdoor equipment, assembly lines, and aging rooms—at its own factories in South Korea. Furthermore, after securing core technologies for Micro LED, the company aims to globalize the K-brand. - Analysis of domestic technological capabilities and the direction for self-reliance for future generations ▲There is a Micro Center in the Seoul and Gyeonggi region. I had a business meeting with the center’s researchers, and their first words were, “We spent a long time developing this,” expressing regret that “it has been difficult to find a company willing to produce it domestically.” Since we also have our own research and development team, we plan to collaborate with the domestic R&D industry to secure all Micro-related technologies and prepare for the future. -It seems inevitable that domestically produced goods will face competition from inexpensive imports. ▲If we look solely at price, it is difficult to compete with Chinese products. LED display boards for public services are not merely consumer goods; they are directly linked to public safety and information dissemination. We have reduced costs through technological innovation and automation. We have increased productivity and reduced defect rates by expanding our state-of-the-art SMT automation lines, and we have lowered costs by increasing the use of domestically produced parts and applying our own proprietary design modules. If we were to simply import products from overseas and focus solely on sales, post-installation maintenance would be inadequate. Through our nationwide branches, we provide customized services—including professional installation teams of in-house engineers and prompt after-sales service—and are building long-term partnerships with public institutions. What matters most is the sustainability of quality, reliability, and stability. - The production process for LED information displays and the construction and details of the Busan Classic Concert Hall are as follows: ▲ We are evolving LED information displays into smart converged displays. Our main product lineup consists of standard models based on 600x337.5-size cabinets, designed for 16:9 display configurations such as FHD, 4K, and 8K. We offer SMD, COB, and MIP module types. For weather display boards, we directly manufacture standardized cabinet types using our proprietary environmental sensors. We have established an end-to-end in-house production system, AI-based management technology, eco-friendly low-power design, and various certifications. The Busan Concert Hall is a cultural project that embodies our technological expertise. By installing a large LED screen, we maximize audience immersion and enable the production of diverse content. It is significant in that it creates a space where art and technology converge, rather than serving as a mere display. - Response Capability in the Event of a Failure: ▲ This is fundamentally a critical aspect, and immediate action must be taken when a failure occurs. Therefore, K-Sys has developed and patented its own AI-based failure diagnosis and prediction system. This system predicts failures and addresses them as soon as anomalies are detected. Based on various simulated failure patterns, the AI sends SMS alerts to the responsible personnel via the server. If humidity rises, captured signs of abnormality are relayed to the responsible personnel, and engineers are dispatched to respond proactively. - Installing outdoor LED displays in Korea likely poses challenges due to laws and regulations. Here is what was discussed with the Director of the Busan Public Procurement Service as part of the ‘Regulatory Reset’ policy: ▲ It is true that there are many difficulties due to the complex web of regulations, including the Outdoor Advertising Act, the Road Traffic Act, the Building Act, and electrical safety regulations. Even for public information purposes, the same regulations as those for commercial signage are applied, which can cause delays. These regulations are reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, when people wrote letters on paper. We are now in the cutting-edge digital age, and these regulations must be updated. The Director of the Busan Public Procurement Service agreed with this assessment and promised to improve unreasonable regulations through the “Regulatory Reset” policy. He emphasized the need for institutional reforms to ensure that regulations do not hinder technological advancement and the improvement of public services, communicating directly with engineers on-site.
CEO Cheon Byeong-min (left in photo) is actively communicating with employees during a group workshop at Oryun University on April 30 = K-SIS
- You were selected as a “Youth-Friendly Company” in Busan. What kind of welfare programs do you offer? \ \ ▲Being selected as a “Youth-Friendly Company” is recognition of our efforts to foster a youth-friendly corporate culture and ensure employment stability through tailored welfare programs; over 80% of our workforce consists of young people. Our programs include a refreshment system, support for education expenses and certification acquisition, support for sports activities, support for employee clubs, celebrations for birthdays and wedding anniversaries, resort membership benefits, and opportunities for outstanding employees to attend overseas trade shows. In line with youth policies, we implement a system for converting interns to full-time employees. We prioritize cooperative communication in labor-management relations and foster a culture of listening to concerns and sharing achievements through regular meetings. It is a platform company driven by young people. - If there are any self-help measures to expand into a sustainable growth enterprise: ▲ We will strengthen our position in the domestic market by expanding into smart cities, public safety, transportation infrastructure, and advanced smart schools. We will accelerate our overseas expansion by establishing a U.S. branch and expanding into the North American, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern markets, while securing a competitive edge in SMD and next-generation micro-LED technologies. In the areas of ESG and talent investment, we will develop eco-friendly, low-power technologies, recruit and nurture young talent, and contribute to the local community. Our future goals include achieving 50 billion won in revenue within three years and 100 billion won within five years, and developing into a global top-tier LED solutions company by 2030. - What was the most difficult time during the 22 years of running the company? ▲Business is not just about pursuing my own profit; it is about protecting my family, our employees, and their families. To this end, I have fulfilled my responsibilities and obligations, growing the company through my best efforts. I could never let my guard down for even a moment. -Finally, if there are areas that need improvement for the company’s growth and development ▲We will systematize talent development by establishing education, leadership development, and professional enhancement programs, and further elevate our technological capabilities by expanding into AI, semiconductor, and smart city convergence business models. We will strengthen global brand awareness through overseas exhibitions and local project marketing, and advance our ESG initiatives through eco-friendly production, the expansion of ethical supply chains, and contributions to the local community. K-Sys aims to grow beyond mere revenue growth into a sustainable corporate model where people, technology, and society grow together. With the emergence of mini and micro LED technologies, demand for various high-resolution transparent display panels is increasing; however, South Korea remains highly dependent on imports due to a lack of domestic technology development. Next-generation technologies such as fine pixel pitch, COB, and micro LED are projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 30% over the next five years, with the global market size expected to reach approximately $40 billion by 2028. Building on its in-house production capabilities in SMT and COB, K-Sys aims to position itself not merely as a supplier but as a global LED solutions partner, with the goal of “filling large screens in major cities around the world with products made in Korea.” The paradigm of LED technology is shifting; it is now evolving into an intelligent digital display device used to convey various cultural messages and other content in commercial and public spaces.