On January 19, Shin Kyuk-ho, the founder of Korean candy-to-chemicals conglomerate Lotte Group, passed away aged 98. He had been a successful businessman who built his enterprise in Japan and Korea, a self-made man who created his legacy with his own bare hands.
He left behind a business which bridged the two countries, currently at odds in the bilateral relations worsened by their painful histories. His diligence and insight set a milestone even for entrepreneurs of today to follow, and he broke barriers in both Korea and Japan. It would be wise for other entrepreneurs to take note.
