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

- CEO of NCSoft
  Park Byung-moo
  
  Park Byung-moo serves as co-CEO of NCSoft alongside founder and fellow co-CEO Kim Taek-jin. He is in charge of corporate restructuring and new business development, leading efforts to enhance operational efficiency through structural reforms and the implementation of an effective decision-making system. Park was born in Seoul in 1961. He graduated from Daeil High School and earned a law degree from Seoul National University. He passed the 24th Korean bar exam as the youngest successful applicant that year. Park began his career at Kim & Chang, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions. He later served as CEO of Planners Entertainment in 2000 and held key positions including Korea Representative of Newbridge Capital (now TPG Asia Fund), CEO of Hanaro Telecom, co-CEO of Bogo Fund, and CEO of VIG Partners. In 2024, NCSoft appointed him co-CEO, recognizing him as the right person to lead internal transformation after the company struggled with poor performance in 2023. Park is seeking new growth drivers through mergers and acquisitions, backed by strong financial resources. Known for his cool-headed analysis and bold decision-making, he has earned the nickname “Midas’ hand.” #ParkByungMoo #NCSoft #coCEO #corporateleadership #M&A #SouthKorea #businessstrategy #lawbackground #techindustry #executiveprofile
  NEWS
  - • What Changes Does Kim Taek-jin Hope Lawyer Park Byung-moo Will Bring to NCSoft?
- CEO of Onconic Therapeutics
  John Kim
  
  John Kim (Korean name: Kim Jung-hoon) is the CEO of Onconic Therapeutics. He is focusing on expanding into the global market with Jaqbo, a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. He is also accelerating the research and development of another core pipeline drug, Nesuparib. Kim was born on November 18, 1967. He graduated from Simon Fraser University in Canada and earned both his master's and doctoral degrees in clinical pharmacy from the University of British Columbia. Since 1997, he has worked as a researcher at Biogen in the United States and Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany. He later joined LG Life Sciences as Head of Clinical Development, and then moved to Hanmi Pharmaceutical as Director of Global Clinical Development. He also served as Head of Business Development for the Asia-Pacific region at Mundipharma. In 2015, he was appointed CEO of SeoulCRO, a clinical trial-focused affiliate of CHA Biotech, and also lectured as a professor at CHA University and the College of Pharmacy at Sungkyunkwan University. In 2020, he became CEO of Onconic Therapeutics. Kim is a clinical development expert who has worked across the full spectrum of new drug development, including drug discovery, domestic and international clinical trials, and global business development. He has led the research and development of Jaqbo, a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. #OnconicTherapeutics #KimJungHoon #Jaqbo #gastroesophagealreflux #biotech #clinicaltrials #newdrugdevelopment #Nesuparib #globalpharma #CEO
- CEO of NH Nonghyup Insurance
  Song Chun-soo
  
  Song Chun-soo is the President and CEO of NH Nonghyup Insurance. He is focused on maximizing profitability based on his deep understanding of the insurance industry. Song was born in 1965 in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Masan Jungang High School and earned a degree in philosophy from Yonsei University. In 1990, he joined the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), and went on to serve as Head of Marketing Strategy and Head of Corporate Sales at NH Nonghyup Insurance, later becoming Executive Vice President in charge of Customer Support. After stepping away from management in 2023, when he concluded his term as Executive Vice President of Customer Support, he returned to the helm of the company upon being nominated as CEO in January 2025. Since joining NACF, he has built over two decades of experience solely in the insurance sector, earning a reputation as an “insurance expert.” #SongChunsoo #NHNonghyupInsurance #NACF #insuranceexpert #Koreaninsuranceindustry #executiveprofile #SouthKorea #profitstrategy #financialleadership #YonseiUniversity
- CEO & Vice Chair of Samyang Foods
  Kim Jung-soo
  
  Kim Jung-soo is the Vice Chair and CEO of Samyang Foods. She entered the company’s management after marrying Chun In-jang, the former Chairman of Samyang Foods and a second-generation member of the founding family. She has played a leading role in globalizing K-food, using the brand power of “Buldak Bokkeum Myeon,” a representative product of “K-ramen.” She was born on March 26, 1964, in Seoul. Kim graduated from Seoul Arts High School and Ewha Womans University with a degree in Social Work. After her marriage, she spent time as a homemaker. However, when Samyang Foods went bankrupt during the Asian Financial Crisis, she joined the company to support her husband, then-Chairman Chun In-jang. In 2020, Kim and her husband were convicted of embezzling company funds and stepped down from the management. Just seven months later, she received special approval for reemployment from the Ministry of Justice and returned to management. In 2023, she was reinstated through a Liberation Day special pardon. Kim has demonstrated strong performance in design and marketing. #SamyangFoods #KimJungsoo #Kfood #BuldakRamen #globalmarketing #Kramen #ChunInjang #IMFcrisis #corporateembezzlement #Koreanbusinesswoman
  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 Polaris Office
  Ji Jun-gyeong
  
  Ji Jun-gyeong is the CEO of Polaris Office, where he is focusing on integrating artificial intelligence across all affiliates through what he calls a "vertical AI strategy." He was born on September 4, 1980. Ji earned a degree in computer science from Semyung University and completed an MBA program at Yonsei University's Graduate School of Business. He began his professional career at IA (I.A.) and went on to serve as Director of Management at MGenPlus, Director in charge of public disclosures and IR at Cellumed, and Director of Management at Foxbrain. After serving as Executive Vice President in charge of strategic planning at IA, he became CEO of IA’s subsidiary, IA Networks. In 2021, when Polaris Office was spun off from IA as an independent entity, Ji was appointed CEO. He became a professional manager at the age of 40. Ji enjoys strong trust from the company's owner, Chairman Cho Sung-woo, and currently serves as a registered board director at all four listed affiliates of Polaris Office. #PolarisOffice #JiJungyeong #verticalAI #AIstrategy #KoreanCEO #techstartup #IAgroup #businessleadership #AIintegration #executiveprofile
- CEO and Founder of APR
  Kim Byung-hoon
  
  Kim Byung-hoon ("김병훈" in Korean) is the CEO of APR, a South Korean beauty and wellness company. He is focusing his efforts on expanding APR's beauty device production capacity while aggressively pursuing new overseas markets. Kim was born on November 5, 1988, in Seoul. He studied business administration at Yonsei University in 2007. While attending Yonsei, he launched a virtual fitting service called “Epida('이피다' in Korean)” and a dating matchmaking app named “Gilhanasai('길하나사이' in Korean).” In 2014, he founded a cosmetics company named InnoVentures, which was later renamed APR. He is a young entrepreneur who started his business at the age of 25 and has since grown it into a company with revenue in the KRW 500 billion (US$ 360 million) range. Known for his ‘workaholic’ tendencies, Kim is the kind of person who always follows through on his commitments and never backs down from what he sets out to do. #APR #KimByungHoon #SouthKorea #beautytech #startupfounder #virtualfitting #entrepreneurship #workaholic #cosmeticsindustry #globalexpansion
  NEWS
  - • APR's Early Success in Chinese Market with Beauty Devices, Kim Byung-hoon's 'Global Roadmap' Green Light
- CEO & Vice Chairman of Ahngook Pharmaceutical
  Auh Jin
  
  Auh Jin ("어진" in Korean) is Vice Chairman and CEO of Ahngook Pharmaceutical, sharing the leadership with co-CEO Park In-cheol. He is focused on enhancing the company’s drug development capabilities. Born on March 30, 1964, Auh Jin is the eldest son among two sons and three daughters of former Honorary Chairman Auh Jun-seon and Im Young-gyun. He graduated from Kyungseong High School in Seoul and earned a degree in economics from Korea University. He later completed an MBA program at the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Auh began his career at Daishin Securities, then moved to Ahngook Pharmaceutical, the company founded by his father. There, he held roles including head of planning and director of general affairs before becoming CEO in 1998. In 2022, he stepped down from management after being indicted for charges involving rebates and illegal clinical trials. He later returned to the company as Vice Chairman and inside director, and in 2024, he was reinstated as CEO, taking charge of new business ventures. As a second-generation executive at Ahngook Pharmaceutical, he has worked at the company for more than 30 years, gaining extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Auh prefers focusing on internal operations rather than external activities and is committed to discovering new growth drivers and diversifying the company’s business portfolio. He served a prison sentence for charges related to illegal clinical trials and offering rebates and was released in October 2024. This has raised ongoing concerns about “owner risk” for the company. #AhngookPharmaceutical #AuhJin #KoreanPharmaceuticalIndustry #biotech #drugdevelopment #CEO #rebatelawsuit #illegaltrials #pharmaexecutive #ownerleadership
- CEO of Tovis
  Kim Yong-beom
  
  Kim Yong-beom is the CEO of Tovis. He was born on September 24, 1962. He graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering at the University of Seoul. He began his career as a researcher at Daewoo Electronics and later served as a lead researcher in the development division and director of the video equipment business division at Hyunwoo MacPlus. In 1998, he founded Tovis. In 2006, he acquired Neodys. He has grown Tovis into the world's No. 1 company in the casino gaming monitor segment. Since 2020, he has been restructuring the business to expand into automotive displays. In response to demands for improved governance due to sluggish stock performance, he has consistently pursued shareholder-friendly policies such as buying back and retiring company shares. #KimYongbeom #Tovis #casino #gamingmonitor #automotivedisplay #electronics #KOSDAQ #shareholderpolicy #Neodys #Koreanentrepreneur
- Member of the National Assembly
  Park Jee-hye
  
  Park Jee-hye is a member of the National Assembly. She entered the National Assembly as the No. 1 recruited talent of the Democratic Party of Korea during the 22nd general election. She was born on October 31, 1978, in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. Park double-majored in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering and Business Administration at Seoul National University. She completed the master’s program in Environmental Planning at Seoul National University's Graduate School of Environmental Studies, and later earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Policy from Lund University in Sweden. She also holds both a Master of Laws (J.D. equivalent) and a Doctor of Laws from Seoul National University School of Law. She worked as a senior researcher at Eco Frontier and as a CSR manager at SK Telecom. After passing the 6th bar exam, she served as a full-time lawyer at the Green Law Center, focusing on corporate social responsibility and environmental law. She also served as a board member of the nonprofit Climate Solutions and as co-representative of the nonprofit Plan 1.5. In the 2024 22nd general election, she ran as a candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea and was elected to represent the Uijeongbu A district. She has served on the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, and the Special Committee on the Climate Crisis. Within just one year, she introduced 40 bills as a lead sponsor. Park is an expert in climate and environmental issues. She is committed to serving as a catalyst to turn public interest in climate challenges into effective policy. #ParkJeehye #KoreaPolitics #DemocraticParty #NationalAssembly #ClimatePolicy #EnvironmentalLaw #CSR #GreenLaw #Uijeongbu #2024Election
- CEO & President of Hitejinro and Hitejinro Holdings
  Kim In-gyu
  
  Kim In-gyu is the CEO and President of Hitejinro as well as the CEO and President of Hitejinro Holdings. Following the retirement of Hitejinro Chairman Park Mun-deok from the front lines of management, Kim is now effectively leading the company. He was born on November 16, 1962, in Seoul. Kim graduated from Paichai High School in Seoul, earned a degree in mathematics from Yonsei University, and completed an MBA program at Yonsei University's Graduate School of Business. He joined Hite Brewery in 1989 and worked his way up through key positions, including Head of Sales and Executive Vice President. In 2011, after the merger of Hite Brewery and Jinro, he was appointed CEO and President of Hitejinro in charge of overall sales operations. In 2017, he was also appointed CEO and President of Hitejinro Holdings, the group's holding company. Kim is a loyal “Hite man” who has accumulated over 30 years of experience across personnel management, planning, marketing, and sales—virtually every part of the business. He is actively promoting the globalization of "Jinro" with a focus on expanding into Southeast Asian markets. #Hitejinro #KimInGyu #ParkMundeok #Jinro #KoreanLiquor #SojuExports #SoutheastAsiaMarket #YonseiMBA #KoreanBusiness #LeadershipTransition

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