KoreaWho - Biographical and news service about individuals who have a significant impact on the Korean economy

- CEO of H&L Advanced
  Cho Nam-soo
  
  Cho Nam-soo is CEO of H&L Advanced. As HD Hyundai’s representative at its joint venture with OCI, he is expected to focus on restoring the performance of the company launched as the first petrochemical business restructuring project. He was born on July 22, 1970. He graduated from Sogang University with a degree in chemical engineering and earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology). He joined Hyundai Oil Refinery, now HD Hyundai Oilbank, where he worked in catalyst research and planning. He worked as an executive in charge of production planning at Hyundai Chemical, now H&L Advanced, a joint venture between HD Hyundai Oilbank and Lotte Chemical. In 2023, he was appointed CEO of HD Hyundai OCI, a joint venture between HD Hyundai Oilbank and OCI. He returned to HD Hyundai Chemical to lead its Management Innovation Task Force and has served as CEO since November 2025. In September 2026, he was appointed CEO of H&L Advanced, the company renamed after HD Hyundai Chemical absorbed Lotte Daesan Petrochemical. He leads the company alongside fellow CEO Chun Yang-sik, who represents Lotte Chemical.
- Chairman of the Board, Dankook University Foundation
  Chang Ho-sung
  
  Chang Ho-sung is chairman of the board of the Dankook University Foundation, which operates Dankook University. With the university approaching its 80th anniversary, he is focusing on AI transformation (AX) across education, research and administration. He was born in Seoul on March 28, 1955, to Chang Chung-sik, former chairman of the Dankook University Foundation. He graduated from Kyunggi High School in Seoul and Sogang University with a degree in electronic engineering. He earned master's and doctoral degrees in electronic engineering from Oregon State University in the United States. He worked as a professor in the Division of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Hanyang University. After moving to Dankook University, he served as vice president for planning and vice president of the Cheonan Campus before becoming president in 2008. He became chairman of the Dankook University Foundation in 2020. With a strong interest in university sports, he has served as head of the Korean delegation to the Universiade and chairman of the Korea University Sports Board. He also served as president of the Korean Council for University Education.
- President of the National Health Insurance Service
  Kang Cheong-hee
  
  Kang Cheong-hee is president of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Kang is working to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance system, which has moved into deficit, by preventing financial leakage and reforming the medical fee reimbursement system. Kang was born in Seoul on June 29, 1964. Kang graduated from Daeshin High School in Seoul and Yonsei University’s Wonju College of Medicine, and earned a master’s degree in medicine, specializing in thoracic surgery, from Yonsei University’s graduate school. After serving as medical director and head of thoracic surgery at Hyemin Hospital, Kang opened Yonsei Seoul Clinic in 2004. Kang served as executive director for general affairs and full-time vice president of the Korean Medical Association, director of the Giheung District Public Health Center in Yongin, executive director for benefits at the NHIS, and president of the Korea Public Tissue Bank. Kang entered politics in December 2023 as a recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea. Kang ran in Seoul’s Gangnam B constituency in the 22nd National Assembly election in 2024 but was defeated. In July 2026, Kang was appointed the first NHIS president under the Lee Jae-myung administration. A thoracic surgeon by training, Kang is a healthcare expert whose experience spans medical associations, the health insurer, local public health administration and party politics.
- CEO of CJ Freshway and CJ Foodville
  Lee Geon-il
  
  Lee Geon-il is CEO of CJ Freshway. He also serves as CEO of CJ Foodville. He is focusing on the online-to-offline (O2O) transformation of the food distribution business and expansion of the new “kitchen-less” business. He is also leading CJ Foodville’s expansion in North America, centered on Tous les Jours. He was born on September 7, 1970. He graduated from Daewon Foreign Language High School and Yonsei University with a degree in food and biotechnology. He joined CJ CheilJedang through open recruitment and worked in CJ CheilJedang’s Strategic Planning Division. He served as head of Business 1 at CJ’s Business Team and head of the A Twosome Place Division at CJ Foodville. He served as CEO of CJ Foods USA, the U.S. subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang, overseeing its North American market strategy. After serving as head of the Management Support Office of CJ CheilJedang’s Food Business, head of CJ’s Business Management Office 1 and head of CJ Corp.’s Management Innovation Task Force, he was appointed CEO of CJ Freshway in 2024. He has also served as CEO of CJ Foodville since November 2025. He is a CJ Group food expert with broad experience across the food and foodservice businesses.
- Chairman of the School Board, Dongduk Women’s University
  Cho Won-young
  
  Biography Cho Won-young is chairman of the Dongduk Women’s Educational Foundation, which operates Dongduk Women’s University. He was born in Seoul on October 17, 1949, to Cho Yong-gak, former chairman of the Dongduk Educational Foundation, and Lee Eun-ju, a former board director. He graduated from Gyeongbok High School in Seoul and earned a degree in business administration from Yonsei University. He joined Dongduk Women’s University as a professor and served as head of its planning office. After serving as vice president, he became president in 1996. He stepped down as president in 2003 amid allegations of embezzlement and falsified academic credentials. He has chaired the Dongduk Women’s Educational Foundation since 2015. He also served as secretary-general of the Korean Association of University Presidents.
- Vice President and CEO of Kolon Mobility Group’s Automotive Business Division and CEO of Kolon Benit
  Kang Ee-gu
  
  Kang Ee-gu is vice president and CEO of Kolon Mobility Group’s Automotive Business Division. He concurrently serves as CEO of Kolon Benit. At Kolon Mobility Group, he is restructuring the lineup of imported car brands and expanding sales and maintenance services using customer and vehicle data. At Kolon Benit, he is focusing on shifting the business structure, which has been heavily weighted toward IT distribution, toward artificial intelligence transformation (AX) businesses. He was born on May 2, 1967. He graduated from Korea University with a degree in statistics and earned a master’s degree in computer science from New York University in the United States. He joined holding company Kolon and handled group strategy at its Strategic Planning Office. He moved to Kolon Industries as an executive director, where he was responsible for colorless polyimide (CPI) film, and was later promoted to vice president, overseeing new businesses including fuel cells. He led KFNT, a Kolon Group chemical company that manufactures plastic films and synthetic fibers, and G-Bridge, a software developer funded by Kolon Benit. He was appointed CEO of Kolon Benit in 2023 and has concurrently headed Kolon Mobility Group’s Automotive Business Division since 2025. #KangEeGu #KolonMobilityGroup #KolonBenit #AutomotiveBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #KolonIndustries #CPIFilm #FuelCells #CorporateStrategy
- Vice President and CEO, KG Mobility
  Hwang Ki-young
  
  Hwang Ki-young is vice president and CEO of KG Mobility. He leads KG Mobility under a system of separate representative directors together with Kwak Jae-sun, the controlling owner and chairman of KG Group. He is focusing on achieving annual sales of 200,000 vehicles and revenue of KRW 10 trillion (US$7.2 billion) by 2030, with export expansion and the knock-down (KD) business as the two pillars of growth. He is also focusing on the transition to electrification centered on hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). He was born on August 29, 1967. He graduated from Inha University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He joined Hyundai Motor and worked as head of its North America team and head of planning and sales at its European subsidiary. He also served as head of the UK subsidiary, head of the Russia subsidiary and head of the Global Business Strategy Office. He joined KG Mobility as head of Europe and Russia business and served as head of the Overseas Business Division. He was appointed CEO of KG Mobility in 2024 and has overseen domestic and overseas business and sales. #HwangKiYoung #KGMobility #KGGroup #AutomotiveIndustry #GlobalSales #Exports #KnockDownBusiness #Electrification #PHEV #CorporateLeadership
- Founder and President, Gachon University
  Lee Gil-ya
  
  Lee Gil-ya is the founder and president of Gachon University. She is focusing on nurturing talent in advanced industries, particularly bio, batteries and semiconductors. She was born in Okgu, North Jeolla Province, on May 9, 1932, according to the lunar calendar. She graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine, completed medical training in the United States and earned a doctorate in medicine from Nihon University in Japan. In 1958, she opened Lee Gil-ya Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic in Incheon. After establishing the Gil Medical Foundation in 1978, she founded Dongincheon Gil Hospital and expanded her hospital business. After acquiring Kyungwon University, she merged it with Gachon University of Medicine and Science to launch Gachon University and has led the institution herself as president. She also acquired the Kyongin Ilbo and has actively pursued businesses in education, healthcare, research and media while leading Gachon University, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University Gil Korean Medicine Hospital, the Neuroscience Research Institute, the Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, the Gachon Cultural Foundation, the Gachon Museum and Shinmyung Girls' High School. She is the oldest incumbent university president at age 96 and has remained single throughout her life.
- Chairman of the Korea Technology Finance Corporation
  Kwon Hyung-tack
  
  Kwon Hyeong-taek is chairman of the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KIBO). He is focusing on financing the growth of technology companies and managing risks in its guarantee portfolio. He was born in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, on August 27, 1968. He graduated from Youngjin High School in Daegu and Seoul National University with a degree in international economics. He earned a master's degree in management information systems from the University of Michigan in the United States. He founded and ran the venture company Standard Mobile. When the business struggled, he chose to pursue a career in finance. He worked at Woori Bank, HSBC and C9 Asset Management. He later served as an investment adviser to Incheon Metropolitan City and vice president of Midan City Development on Yeongjong Island in Incheon. After serving as head of the Strategic Business Division at Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation and CEO of Gimpo Goldline Operation, he was appointed president of Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) in 2021. He took office as chairman of KIBO in July 2026. He emphasizes listening and communication.
- President and CEO of LS Mtron
  Shin Chai-ho
  
  Shin Chai-ho is president and CEO of LS Mtron. He is focusing on expanding the adoption of autonomous tractors and increasing sales in North America. He was born on July 10, 1962. He graduated from Sorabol High School and Seoul National University with a degree in business administration. He completed MBA programs at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Business and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He joined Kolon Group, where he handled human resources, purchasing and overseas joint ventures. He moved to Bain & Company and worked as a consultant in Dallas, Texas, and Seoul. After returning to Kolon Group, he served as an auditor in the Restructuring Headquarters, head of strategic planning at Kolon Industries, and managing director and head of the Management Planning Team and deputy head of overseas business at holding company Kolon. He served as chief information officer (CIO) of Kolon Benit, chief management officer (CMO) of Kolon, and head of the Management Assessment Office at Kolon Industries. He served as head of the Finance Support Division and chief financial officer (CFO) at Homeplus, and as co-CEO of GeneChem. He was recruited as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of LS Mtron and has served as CEO since 2022. He was promoted to president in 2023.

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