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

- CEO of Shift Up
  Kim Hyung-tae
  
  Kim Hyung-tae is the CEO of Shift Up. He is focusing on expanding the company’s game portfolio. He was born on February 7, 1978. He dropped out of the Department of Visual Communication Design at the College of Arts, Chung-Ang University. He joined the game company Mantra as an industrial technical personnel and took on his first work as a professional illustrator. After working at Softmax, he served as art director (AD) at NCSoft and participated in the design work for “Blade & Soul.” After founding Shift Up in 2013, he entered the game business with “Destiny Child,” which he co-developed with Line Games, and went on to achieve box office success with “Goddess of Victory: Nikke” and “Stellar Blade.” He is focusing on developing upcoming titles such as Project Spirit and a sequel to Stellar Blade, as well as expanding existing games. #ShiftUp #KimHyungtae #GamingIndustry #GameDevelopment #DestinyChild #Nikke #StellarBlade #ProjectSpirit #KGame #GamePortfolio
  NEWS
  - • From ‘Too Sexy’ Illustrator to Global Game Disruptor: How Kim Hyung-tae and Shift Up Shook the Industry
- CEO of POSCO DX
  Sim Min-seok
  
  Sim Min-seok is the CEO of POSCO DX. He faces the task of supporting the group’s core strategy of “leaping forward as a future materials company” with digital technology. He was born in July 1968. He graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Inha University and received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University in the United States. He joined POSCO and worked in the EIC Technology Department. He later served as head of the Information Planning Group at POSCO’s Information Planning Office, head of the Smart EIC Business Office at POSCO ICT, and head of the Digital Innovation Office at POSCO’s Management Support Division. In January 2025, he was appointed CEO of POSCO DX. He is regarded as a “hands-on technology expert” who has led POSCO Group’s digital transformation (DX) efforts on the ground. In his first year in office, he must break away from reliance on internal transactions, which led to a decline in performance. #POSCODX #SimMinseok #POSCOGroup #DigitalTransformation #DXStrategy #FutureMaterials #KoreanCEO #TechLeadership #CorporateInnovation #InternalTransactions
- CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investment
  Kim Eung-suk
  
  Kim Eung-suk is Vice Chairman and CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investment. He is working to continuously expand investment opportunities in global innovative companies such as SpaceX by combining Mirae Asset Group's global network with the capabilities of its affiliates. He was born on July 7, 1968. He joined LG Electronics and worked at the Multimedia Research Institute and the Technical Marketing Team at LG Semicon. He entered the investment industry after moving to Jang Eun Venture Capital and later joined Mirae Asset Capital as an investment officer in the Investment Division. He moved to Mirae Asset Venture Investment, where he served as a director, and in 2005 he was appointed CEO (Executive Vice President) of Mirae Asset Venture Investment. He was subsequently promoted through the ranks to Executive Vice President, then President, and ultimately Vice Chairman, leading the company as CEO for over 20 years. As the longest-serving CEO in the industry, he acts as the senior figure overseeing Mirae Asset Group's venture capital business. In line with the government's policy to foster the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, he is interested in pioneering investments in AI startups. #MiraeAsset #VentureCapital #KimEungsuk #AIinvestment #StartupInvestment #GlobalInvestment #SpaceX #VCindustry #KoreaFinance #ArtificialIntelligence
- President and CEO of Sh Suhyup Bank
  Shin Hak-gi
  
  Hak-gi Shin is the President and CEO of Sh Suhyup Bank. He is focusing on strengthening the bank’s digital competitiveness and expanding its non-banking business portfolio, while also ensuring capital adequacy. He was born on January 20, 1968, in Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. He graduated from Yeongsan High School in Gyeongsangnam-do and earned a bachelor’s degree in International Trade from Dong-A University. He began his career at the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup), where he served as Head of the Corporate Customer Strategy Team in the Corporate Banking Department, Branch Manager of the Ingye-dong Branch, Head of the Customer Support Department, and Head of the Risk Management Department. After Sh Suhyup Bank was separated from the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, he served as Head of the Southern Regional Headquarters of Suhyup Bank and later as Senior Executive Vice President of the Management Strategy Group. In 2024, he was appointed President and CEO of Sh Suhyup Bank. Having worked across strategy, sales, risk management, finance, and planning, he is regarded as having a comprehensive understanding of Suhyup Bank’s overall operations.
- Chairman & CEO of HD Hyundai
  Chung Ki-sun
  
  Chung Ki-sun is Chairman and CEO of HD Hyundai. He also serves as CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company for the group’s shipbuilding business, and HD Hyundai Site Solutions, the intermediate holding company for the construction equipment business. With a goal of achieving KRW 100 trillion in group revenue by 2030, he is accelerating the transition to eco-friendly, digital, and AI-driven operations, strengthening the global competitiveness of core businesses, and fostering new growth engines. Born on May 3, 1982, in Seoul, he is the eldest son among two sons and two daughters of Mong-Joon Chung, Chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. He graduated from Daeil Foreign Language High School in Seoul and earned a degree in economics from Yonsei University. He later completed his MBA at Stanford University Graduate School of Business in the United States. After joining Hyundai Heavy Industries, he went on to study in the United States and subsequently worked at the Seoul office of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He rejoined Hyundai Heavy Industries and served as Head of the Finance Division and Head of Shipbuilding & Offshore Sales before being appointed CEO of Hyundai Global Service in 2017. He later served as Head of the Group’s Shipbuilding & Marine Sales Division at Hyundai Heavy Industries, and subsequently assumed the roles of CEO of HD Hyundai and CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. At the age of 43, he was appointed Chairman, marking the end of the professional management system that had led HD Hyundai Group for 37 years and ushering in a return to owner-led management. He began his management career during a downturn in the shipbuilding industry, taking part in efforts to overcome the crisis, and has since delivered strong results in orders and performance during the subsequent market upturn. Known as a communicative leader, he practices “on-site management” and actively participates in external events to share the industry’s and the company’s future vision. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, swimming, golf, and tennis.
  NEWS
  - • HD Hyundai Bets Big with Unified Shipbuilding Push Against China
  - • Chung Ki-sun Nears Final Hurdle in HD Hyundai Succession — More Than a Golden Spoon?
- Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lotte Chilsung Beverage
  Park Yoon-gi
  
  Park Yoon-gi is Vice Chairman and CEO of Lotte Chilsung Beverage. He previously served as Co-CEO alongside Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Chilsung Beverage. Following Chairman Shin’s resignation upon the expiration of his term on March 25, 2025, Park has been serving as sole CEO. Born on January 8, 1970, he graduated from Dongbok High School and earned a degree in Business Administration from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Park joined Lotte Chilsung Beverage in 1994 in the Sales Promotion Department. He went on to serve as Head of the Beverage Marketing Division and Head of the Corporate Strategy Division. In 2022, he was promoted to Vice President, completing his first term as CEO and beginning his second term. Despite a late-2025 executive reshuffle characterized by high-intensity reform measures, he successfully secured reappointment. At the time of his appointment as CEO, he drew attention as the first executive director-level (Senior Vice President) executive in Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s history to be appointed CEO, and as a relatively young leader in his 50s. He was promoted to executive director and, just one year after being elevated to managing director (Senior Managing Director), was appointed CEO alongside his promotion to executive director, surpassing more senior executives. He is recognized for his strong sales capabilities and is regarded as flexible and rational in his thinking and decision-making.
- CEO and President of HDC Hyundai Development Company
  Chung Kyung-ku
  
  Chung Kyung-ku is the CEO of HDC Hyundai Development Company. As a leading financial expert within HDC Group, he is focusing the organization’s capabilities on in-house projects, including the development of the Gwangun University Station area. He was born on June 18, 1965. He graduated from Seongdo High School in Busan and from the Department of Law at Seoul National University. He joined Shinhan Investment Corp. and worked there for nearly 20 years before moving to the finance team at Hyundai Development Company. In 2017, he was appointed CEO of HDC Asset Management. He served as head of the Management Planning Division at HDC Hyundai Development Company and as CEO of HDC Hyundai Development Company, and in 2022 worked as CEO of HDC, the group’s holding company. In 2024, he returned to HDC Hyundai Development Company and was nominated as CEO and President. In March 2025, he was appointed CEO and President. He has been devoting efforts to restoring the I’PARK brand and market trust by completing the reconstruction of the Gwangju Hwajeong I’PARK complex. #HDC #HyundaiDevelopmentCompany #ChungKyungku #KoreanCEO #RealEstateDevelopment #IPARK #GwangunStation #GwangjuHwajeongIPARK #ConstructionIndustry #CorporateLeadership
  NEWS
  - • HDC Hyundai Development Nears Seoul One Sellout, Chung Kyung-ku Targets Top Profitability
- President and CEO of NH NongHyup Capital
  Jang Jong-hwan
  
  Jang Jong-hwan is the President and CEO of NH NongHyup Capital. He aims to lead earnings growth by expanding investment finance and to elevate the company into the industry’s top seven in profitability. He was born on November 27, 1966, in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. He graduated from Jecheon High School in North Chungcheong Province and majored in psychology at Kangwon National University. He began his career at the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, where he mainly handled public relations work, and later took charge of customer support and member management consulting at NH NongHyup Life Insurance and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. At NH NongHyup Bank, he served as Head of the Financial Consumer Protection Division, and as Head of the Mutual Finance Business Support Division at the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, before being appointed as CEO of NH Capital in January 2025. Having gained broad experience in sales operations and media public relations, he has a strong understanding of customer-centered services. He is focusing on expanding non-face-to-face services and accelerating the full-scale transition to artificial intelligence (AI). #NHNongHyupCapital #JangJonghwan #investmentfinance #financialservices #Koreafinance #AItransformation #nonfacetofaceservices #financialconsumerprotection #MutualFinance #CEOprofile
- Chairman of Danal
  Park Sung-chan
  
  Park Sung-chan is the Chairman of Danal. He has a vision of transforming the company into an integrated platform provider that encompasses all payment methods, including blockchain and stablecoins. He was born on September 16, 1963. After graduating from Soongsil High School, he entered the Department of Architecture at Korea University but did not complete his degree. He founded Heights Housing in 1983 and City Construction in 1992, working in the housing and construction industry for 15 years before establishing Danal in 1997 and opening a new market in mobile phone payment services. In 2011, taking responsibility for poor performance, he handed over the CEO position to Ryu Geung-seon, then CTO of Danal and now CEO of Kakao Mobility, and assumed the role of Chairman, focusing on expanding overseas markets. As a first-generation venture entrepreneur in Korea, he commercialized the world’s first mobile phone payment system, creating the market and establishing the company as a leading player in the field. He has served as Senior Vice Chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association and Chairman of the Korea Content Industry Association. #ParkSung-chan #Danal #MobilePayment #Blockchain #Stablecoin #Fintech #KoreaVenture #PaymentPlatform #DigitalFinance #Entrepreneur
- CEO of DB HiTek
  Cho Ki-seog
  
  Cho Ki-seog is the CEO of DB HiTek. He is expanding the company’s business areas into next-generation compound semiconductors and other fields. He is also accelerating efforts to expand system semiconductor production capacity. He was born on July 7, 1964. He graduated from Yeouido High School in Seoul and earned a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Seoul National University. He received a master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Seoul National University’s graduate school and completed a doctoral program before joining Dongbu Institute of Technology, the R&D organization of DB Group. He later served as head of DB HiTek’s Taiwan and China branches and as head of the Foundry Sales Division, and in 2023 he was appointed CEO of DB HiTek. He is a traditional “DB man” who has worked at DB Group for more than 30 years. He combines strong technical expertise with management capability. During his tenure as head of the sales division, he led DB HiTek to its first return to profitability.

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