Ottogi holds memorial for founder Ham Tae-ho

Ottogi held a memorial service on May 11 at the Ham Tae-ho Hall in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing of Honorary Chairman Ham Tae-ho. The ceremony honored the founder's life and his contributions to the development of the domestic food industry.

Ham Tae-ho founded Punglim Sangsa, the predecessor of Ottogi, in 1969. He introduced various products including curry, soup, ketchup, and mayonnaise, significantly influencing Korean food culture. His management philosophy emphasized quality, operating under the principle of producing food as if it were for his own family, and the spirit of 'Sikpum Boguk'—contributing to the nation through food quality.

Beyond business, Ham was known for his philanthropy, particularly his support for children with congenital heart disease through the Korea Heart Foundation and the Ottogi Ham Tae-ho Foundation. As of August 2026, his support has helped 6,783 children. Ottogi Chairman Ham Young-jun stated that the company aims to inherit the founder's spirit to ensure the company's sustainable growth and continued contribution to human dietary improvement.