Dongwon Industries Logs 135%Year-On-Year Surge Q1 2025 Operating Profit

Honorary Chairman Kim Jae-chul of Dongwon Group. (Photos: Dongwon Group)

Dongwon Industries, the holding company of Dongwon Group, posted 124.8 billion won in operating profit in the first quarter of 2025 on a consolidated basis, the company said in a public disclosure on May 8.

The company chalked up 2,319.3 billion won in 2025 Q1 sales, a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase.

The good business performance is owed to an overall improvement in the profitability of its mainstay businesses, such as food, fisheries and construction.

Dongwon F&B, the food unit of Dongwon Group, logged 1,194.8 billion won in sales and 54 billion won in operating profit in 2025 Q1, respectively.

The figures represent a 6.8 percent year-on-year increase and an 8.2 percent year-on-year surge,

Dongwon F&B saw 2025 Q1 sales and operating profit rise thanks to the stable performance of mainstay businesses and efforts to diversify its product portfolio in seasoned food, pet food and convenience food.

The fisheries business unit saw sales fall due to the declining tuna catch, but operating profit grow on the back of rising fisheries prices.

In a separate consolidated statement, Dongwon Industries saw 2025 Q1 sales decline 2.1 percent to 320.6 billion won and operating profit surge 38.2 percent to 103.5 billion won.

Dongwon Industries Construction, the construction unit of Dongwon Industries, saw operating profit switch from a deficit to a surplus on the back of the improving unit price rate in the construction and infrastructure sectors and profit-oriented strategies to land orders.

Dongwon Systems, the materials unit, saw Q1 sales increase 9 percent to 336.8 billion won on the back of increasing package material exports.

But its operating profit plunged 21.9 percent to 12.5 billion won due to rising prices of raw materials, such as aluminum and slumped market.

A Dongwon Group official said, “Dongwon will accelerate efforts to expand new businesses, such as global food, secondary battery materials, and smart port sectors.”

A view of the book, titled “the Knack of Overcoming Life Waves,” which has been published by Dongwon Group founder and Honorary Chmn. Kim Jae-chul.

‘Tuna Legend’ Dongwon Group Founder Kim: ‘Challenging Yourself is the Driving Force behind Success’

Dongwon Group founder and Honorary Chmn. Kim Jae-chul, aged 91, has published a book, titled “the Knack of Overcoming Life Waves,” portraying his management tenets and his life, ranging from an open sea apprentice navigation officer to conglomerate chairman.

Honorary Chmn. Kim has been credited for launching a startup in 1969 as the first generation of Korea’s industrialization, and having built up what Dongwon Group and Korea Investment Holdings are today.

The book is not a simple autography, or a self-development book, but it is a book in which Chmn. Kim conveys experiences and thoughts he obtained during his life – a message urging youth to challenge themselves.

Chmn. Kim said, “It is the answers I have chewed over questions and grievances from youth I have met, and one of support and encouragement for the persons who prepare challenges even though I’ve never met.”

His message is simple: Keeping on challenging endlessly, searching for something that make your heat beat. “I hope this book will be a seed of fire that make someone’s heart knob.”

Gangjangmat (Soy Sauce Flavor),” released by Dongwon F&B.

Dongwon F&B Release Premium Tuna Canned ‘Dongwon Tuna Belly Soy Sauce Flavor’

Dongwon F&B said on April 29 the company released “Dongwon Tuna Belly Gangjangmat (Soy Sauce Flavor),” a new tuna canned product made with tuna belly, tuna’s high-end portion.

Dongwon F&B has conquered the Korea canned tuna market for more than 40 years.

The company has been ramping up endlessly its product portfolio by expanding the uses of “Dongwon Tuna” products.

The latest product is characterized with tuna belly, also called “toro,” accounting for only 1 percent portion of Tuna. Toro is favored by consumers for its soft texture and richer flavor.

The new canned product is made with toro cut with the tuna processing knowhow Dongwon F&B has acquired for the past 40 years.