KOREA WHO

Profile

• • 

  • Vice Chairman of Samyang Foods

    Kim Jung-soo

    Kim Jung-soo is the vice chairman of Samyang Foods. She also serves as the CEO of the holding company Samyang Roundsquare. After marrying Jeon In-jang, the second-generation owner of Samyang Foods, she became involved in the company's management. Leading the globalization of K-Food with the iconic 'Buldak hot chicken flavor ramen'. Born on March 26, 1964, in Seoul. She graduated from Seoul Arts High School and Ewha Womens University with a major in Social Business. In 1994, she joined Samyang Foods to support her husband after the company faced bankruptcy during the IMF financial crisis. From August 2008 to September 2017, she was convicted along with her husband of embezzling 5 billion Korean won and stepped down from the management in March 2020. However, in October 2020, after receiving approval from the Ministry of Justice, she returned to the business world. In December 2021, just over a year after her return, she was promoted to vice chairman. She also took on the role of head of the overseas sales division. In 2023, she was granted special amnesty on Liberation Day. The mastermind behind the success of Samyang Foods, particularly the Buldak hot chicken flavor ramen. Demonstrating her business skills in design and marketing based on her artistic sense as an art school graduate.

    NEWS

    • • “Buldak Takes Off” — Kim Jung-soo Makes History as Samyang Foods Enters KRW 600 Billion Operating Profit Era
    • • Samyang Foods Targets 'High-Profit Countries' with Buldak, Secures Top Industry Operating Profit Margin
• • 

  • CEO of KB Kookmin Card

    Kim Jae-kwan

    Kim Jae-kwan is the CEO and President of KB Kookmin Card. He is focused on strengthening the B2B business to improve profitability while working to elevate KB Kookmin Card from its current third-place ranking in the credit card industry to the top position. He was born on July 14, 1968, in Seoul. He graduated from Shinil High School in Seoul and earned a degree in economics from Sogang University. He began his career at Kookmin Bank, where he held positions as Head of the Corporate Products Department, Head of the SME Customer Department, and Head of the Corporate Finance Solutions Division. He later served as Senior Executive Vice President, leading the Management Planning Group, before moving to KB Financial Group as Vice President in charge of finance. In 2025, he was appointed CEO of KB Kookmin Card. He values efficient work processes through active communication. #KimJaekwan #KBKookminCard #KBFinancialGroup #creditcards #banking #finance #B2B #businessgrowth #leadership #SouthKorea

    NEWS

    • • KB Kookmin Card’s Weak Q1 Global Results—Kim Jae-kwan Prioritizes Overseas Profitability
• • 

  • Vice Chairman of SGA Solutions

    Choi Young-chul

    Choi Young-chul is the Vice Chairman and CEO of SGA Solutions. He was born on April 5, 1970. He graduated from the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University. He earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees in Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering from the graduate school of Sungkyunkwan University. In 1998, he joined the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), where he worked as a researcher for establishing an electronic signature authentication system. In 2000, he co-founded Bcure, a company specializing in cryptography and authentication, entering the private security market. He was appointed CEO of SGA Solutions in 2012 and was promoted to Vice Chairman in 2022, ten years later. He is regarded as a first-generation security venture entrepreneur, known as a "midwife of the Korean security industry" and a "pioneer in building integrated security platforms." Through technology-focused management strategies such as the early adoption of zero-trust security architecture and active M\&A activities, he has grown SGA Solutions into one of Korea's leading integrated security solution companies. #ChoiYoungChul #SGASolutions #Koreancybersecurity #zerotrust #integratedsecurity #ITentrepreneur #cyberdefense #M\&Astrategy #Bcure #KISA

• • 

  • CEO of SM Entertainment

    Tak Young-jun

    Tak Young-jun is the Co-CEO of SM Entertainment. He was born on May 23, 1978. He graduated from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Dongguk University. He joined SM Entertainment (SM) in 2001 and served as Head of the Artist Management Division, Co-CEO (CMO·COO), and CEO of SM Life Design Group. Since March 2024, he has been serving as Co-CEO alongside former CFO Jang Cheol-hyuk. Over his 25-year career at SM, he has led the planning and development of new idol groups. Following the departure of founder Lee Soo-man and SM’s transition into a Kakao affiliate under Kim Beom-soo—accompanied by a management dispute with HYBE—he has focused on stabilizing the company’s operations. As part of the ‘SM 3.0’ strategy, he introduced and successfully established the ‘multi-production center system,’ which is regarded as a key achievement. #TakYoungjun #SMEntertainment #KpopLeadership #SM3.0 #KakaoAffiliate #HYBEConflict #KpopCEO #DonggukUniversity #IdolManagement #KpopIndustry

• • 

  • CEO of Korea Investment & Securities

    Kim Sung-hwan

    Kim Sung-hwan is the President and CEO of Korea Investment & Securities. He is working to expand the organization and business with the goal of transforming the company into a global financial investment firm. He was born on November 21, 1969, in Seoul. He graduated from Dangkok High School in Seoul and majored in Economics at Korea University. He began his career at Kyobo Life Insurance. After working at LG Investment & Securities, he moved to Dongwon Securities and continued to work there even after Dongwon Securities was acquired by Korea Investment & Securities. He held various roles, including Head of the Project Finance Division, Group Head of the IB Division, Vice President of Strategic Planning, and Group Head of the Retail Client Division, before being appointed CEO in 2024. He is an investment banking (IB) expert who introduced asset-backed securities (ABS) and asset-backed commercial papers (ABCP) based on real estate project financing (PF) to the securities industry for the first time. #KimSungHwan #KoreaInvestment #securities #investmentbanking #CEO #globalfinance #realestatefinance #financialinnovation #ABS #leadership

    NEWS

    • • Korea Investment & Securities' Overwhelming Q1—Kim Sung-hwan's Strategy Cements Lead
    • • Korea Investment & Securities' Asset Management Soars, Kim Sung-hwan Shows Confidence in Global Expansion
• • 

  • The Director of Strategy Headquarters an

    Kim Dong-seon

    Kim Dong-seon, born on May 30, 1989, is the third son of Kim Seung-youn, Chairman of Hanwha Group. He currently holds multiple key positions within the Hanwha Group, including the Director of Strategy Headquarters and Vice Presidentat at Hanwha Galleria, Head of Strategy Division at Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, Head of Strategic Planning at Hanwha Robotics, and Head of Overseas Business Division at Hanwha Construction. Kim Dong-seon was educated in the United States, graduating from Taft School and majoring in Political Science at Dartmouth College. He has an illustrious background as a national equestrian athlete, winning three gold medals and one silver medal at the Doha Asian Games, Guangzhou Asian Games, and Incheon Asian Games as a member of the Hanwha Galleria Equestrian Team. Kim started his career at Hanwha Construction, working in the Overseas Construction Business Division and the New Growth Strategy Team. He also ventured into the culinary business by running a restaurant in Germany and worked at SkyLake Investment. Returning to the Hanwha Group as the Global Strategy Manager at Hanwha Energy, he progressed to lead the Premium Leisure Group at Hanwha Hotels & Resorts and served as Head of New Business Strategy and Strategy Headquarters at Hanwha Solutions’ Galleria Division. From 2024, he has taken on the role of Head of Overseas Business Division at Hanwha Construction. Known for his global network and sociability, Kim Dong-seon has faced several controversies due to incidents of verbal abuse and assault at social gatherings. Nevertheless, he continues to receive strong support from his father, Chairman Kim Seung-youn. ### Keywords #KimDongseon #HanwhaGalleria #ManagementSuccession #EquestrianChampion #HanwhaGroup #GlobalStrategy #BusinessLeadership #CorporateStrategy #AsianGames #Conglomerate

    NEWS

    • • Hanwha Group’s Kim Dong-seon Faces Tough Test—New Businesses and Iraq Project Shrouded in Uncertainty
    • • Kim Dong-seon Bets on Semiconductor Equipment, Hanwha Semitech Targets Next-Gen HBM Packaging
• • 

  • President of Hana Bank

    Lee Ho-sung

    Lee Ho-sung is the president of Hana Bank. He is focused on expanding the customer base to drive Hana Bank’s growth as a leading bank. He was born on December 25, 1964, in Daegu. He graduated from Daegu Jungang Commercial High School. He began his career at Hanil Bank before joining Hana Bank, where he held positions as head of the Central Sales Group, Yeongnam Sales Group, and Sales Group. In 2023, he was appointed CEO of Hana Card, and in 2025, he was named president of Hana Bank. As a commercial high school graduate who started his career at a different bank before joining Hana Bank, he is often compared to Ham Young-joo, chairman of Hana Financial Group, for his rise to the CEO position based on strong sales expertise. He has an outgoing and easygoing personality and interacts naturally with employees. #LeeHosung #HanaBank #HanaFinancialGroup #HanaCard #banking #finance #Daegu #Koreabanking #CEO #leadership

    NEWS

    • • Hana Bank Eyes Ham Young-joo Level Sales Power Again—Lee Ho-sung: “I Carve a Path Through Mountains”
• • 

  • CEO of Kumho Petrochemical

    Park Jun-kyung

    Park Jun-kyung is the President and CEO of Kumho Petro Chemical. He is a third-generation business executive of the Kumho Petro Chemical Group. He is focused on strengthening the company’s eco-friendly portfolio to foster future core businesses and solidify its position as a leading company in the industry. Born on April 30, 1978, he is the eldest son of Park Chan-koo, Chairman of Kumho Petro Chemical Group. He graduated from Goojung High School in Seoul and studied Environmental Engineering at Korea University. In 2007, he began his career as a deputy general manager at Kumho Tire. He later moved to Kumho Petro Chemical, where he gained experience primarily in sales, serving as Managing Director of Resin Sales and then as Executive Vice President and Head of the Sales Division. In December 2022, he was appointed President and CEO of Kumho Petro Chemical. He is known for his humility and places great importance on maintaining horizontal relationships. #ParkJunkyung #KumhoPetroChemical #KoreanBusinessLeader #ThirdGenerationCEO #EcoFriendlyBusiness #EnvironmentalEngineering #KoreaUniversity #KumhoGroup #ChemicalIndustry #LeadershipStyle

    NEWS

    • • Kumho Petrochemical Completes Rubber Plant Expansion, Park Jun-kyung Seeks Rebound Amid Industry Downturn
    • • Kumho Petrochemical Defies Slump, Park Jun-kyung Drives Sustainable Growth
• • 

  • President of Shinhan Bank

    Jung Sang-hyuk

    Jung Sang-hyuk is the President of Shinhan Bank. He is strengthening the 'Leading Bank' status and focusing on expanding ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management. He was born on November 26, 1964. He graduated from Daegu Deokwon High School and Seoul National University with a major in International Economics. He joined Shinhan Bank and held positions as Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President of the Management Planning Group, and Deputy Head of the Management Planning and Capital Markets Group. In 2023, he was appointed as the President of Shinhan Bank. Known for effective communication and a proactive personality. He is praised for his exceptional crisis management skills.

    NEWS

    • • Jung Sang-hyuk Reclaims Top Spot for Shinhan Bank — Now Must Defend Both Performance and Internal Controls
    • • All 10 Shinhan Bank Overseas Units Profitable, Jung Sang-hyuk Expands Localization with Equity Investments
• • 

  • Chairman of SK Group and KCCI

    Chey Tae-won

    Chey Tae-won is the Chairman of SK Group and also serves as the Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). He was born on December 3, 1960, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, as the eldest son of Chey Jong-hyun, the former chairman of Sunkyung Group. He graduated from Shinil High School in Seoul, the Department of Physics at Korea University, and the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago in the United States. He completed an integrated master's and doctoral program in economics at the University of Chicago Graduate School. Chey joined SK Trading as a department head, later serving as a director of SK America and as an executive director of SK Trading before becoming CEO of SK in 1997. In 1998, he was promoted to Chairman and CEO of SK, also taking on the roles of CEO at SK Innovation and SK Hynix. He has identified semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) as the group's future growth engines and has made significant investments in these areas. As the group faced the proliferation of affiliates and increased total debt, he pursued business restructuring (rebalancing) by divesting non-core affiliates. He is undergoing divorce and property division proceedings with his wife, Noh So-young, the director of Art Center Nabi. Chey is known for his large build and natural athleticism. Beyond enjoying sports personally, he actively supports sports teams at the group level. #CheyTaeWon #SKGroup #KCCI #semiconductor #AIinvestment #businessrestructuring #sportsmanagement #divorceproceedings #economiceducation #corporateleadership

    NEWS

    • • SK Group's Credibility Plunges After Hacking Scandal — Will Chey Tae-won Double Down on Security Spending?
    • • SK Joins Humanoid Race as Chey Tae-won Aims to Lead in Physical AI