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

- President of Sogang University
  Sim Jong-hyeok
  
  Sim Jong-hyeok is the President of Sogang University. He was re-elected for a consecutive term as the sole candidate. He was born on October 17, 1955, in Seoul. Sim graduated from Seoul Dongsung High School and pursued undergraduate studies in mathematics and physics at Sogang University. He earned a master’s degree in physics from the Sogang University Graduate School. He further completed master’s programs in pastoral studies and theology at Weston School of Theology in the United States and earned his doctoral degree in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Sim is known as a scientist who later transitioned into theology. He is a Catholic priest. In 1992, Sim was appointed as a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Sogang University. Over the years, he served in various leadership roles, including Director of the Institute of Theology, General Affairs Director, Planning Director, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dean of the Graduate School. In 2021, he was appointed as the President of Sogang University. Sim faces demands for reform from university members regarding the governance structure dominated by the Jesuit-affiliated foundation. Resolving the conflict between the foundation and university members remains a key challenge. Despite being summoned by police over allegations of misconduct in the appointment of an endowed professor, which put his reappointment in doubt, the university’s board of trustees reinstated Sim Jong-hyeok. #SimJongHyeok #SogangUniversity #universitypresident #Catholicpriest #Jesuitgovernance #academicleadership #theology #scientistturnedtheologian #universityreform #reappointment
- Vice Chairman of Celltrion
  Kee Woo-sung
  
  Kee Woo-sung is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Celltrion. He has focused on expanding Celltrion’s core biosimilar (biopharmaceutical generic drug) business while enhancing the company’s new drug development capabilities. He was born on December 10, 1961 (lunar calendar). Kee graduated from Joongdong High School in Seoul and Hanyang University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He began his professional career in the planning department at Daewoo Motors. When Seo Jung-jin, the Chairman of Celltrion, founded Nexol, the predecessor of Celltrion, Kee joined and served as the Head of Production Management, Chief Secretary, and Vice President. He progressed to become Celltrion’s Senior Executive Vice President, President, and was later appointed Co-CEO before being promoted to Vice Chairman in 2018. In December 2023, following the merger of Celltrion and Celltrion Healthcare, the integrated Celltrion was launched, with a three-person CEO structure comprising Seo Jin-seok, Chairman of the Celltrion Board of Directors, Kim Hyung-ki, Vice Chairman of Celltrion, and Kee Woo-sung. Kee is considered one of Chairman Seo Jung-jin's closest associates. During his tenure as Head of Celltrion’s Product Development Division, he laid the foundation for Celltrion by developing "Remsima," an autoimmune disease treatment. He is known for his strong spirit of challenge and places great importance on leadership that inspires passion among employees. #Celltrion #KeeWooSung #biosimilar #biopharmaceutical #Remsima #leadership #SeoJungJin #drugdevelopment #healthcaremerger #biotech
- CEO of Hanwha General Insurance
  Na Chea-bum
  
  Na Chea-bum is the CEO of Hanwha General Insurance. He has chosen femtech as a future growth area and is focusing on developing insurance products tailored to become "the insurance company that understands women the best." He was born on November 13, 1965, in Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. He graduated from Gyeongbuk Mechanical Technical High School and earned a law degree from Yeungnam University. He later obtained a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Sungkyunkwan University Graduate School. Known as one of Hanwha Group's leading financial experts, he is highly regarded for his expertise in insurance sales and marketing. At Hanwha Life, he served in roles such as Gyeongbuk Regional Head, CPC Strategy Director and Head of Change and Innovation Task Force (TF), Management Control Team Leader, Personal Support Team Leader, Head of Management Innovation, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). At Hanwha General Insurance, he is expected to contribute to business stabilization and improved profitability through reforms in sales practices and modernization of management systems. He values communication with employees and has demonstrated strong leadership and execution capabilities. #NaCheaBum #Hanwha #HanwhaGeneralInsurance #Femtech #InsuranceInnovation #Leadership #KoreanCEO #FinancialExpert #BusinessStabilization #InsuranceMarketing
  NEWS
  - • Na Chea-bum of Hanwha Insurance: Success in Women’s Market Research Boosts Profitability and Image
  - • Na Chea-bum of Hanwha General Insurance Proves Potential of Women-Specific Insurance Market
- CEO of COSMECCA KOREA
  Cho Im-rae
  
  Cho Im-rae is the CEO of COSMECCA KOREA. Together with his wife, CEO Park Eun-hee, he leads the company as co-CEOs. He also serves as the CEO of the Chinese subsidiaries, COSMECCA SUZHOU and COSMECCA CHINA, and as a non-executive director of the U.S. subsidiary, Englewood Lab. He is accelerating efforts to expand into overseas markets with the goal of achieving KRW 1 trillion in annual sales. Born on March 28, 1953, Cho began his career at cosmetics companies such as Peerless and Oh Hyun Dureura. In 1992, he joined Kolmar Korea as a research lab director. Later, he served as an executive director at Taeung Cosmetics. When Taeung Cosmetics ceased operations, he founded COSMECCA KOREA in 1999. With over 40 years of experience as a researcher in the cosmetics industry, Cho is recognized as an expert in cosmetics development. He places great emphasis on research and development, considering himself not just a business leader but primarily a cosmetics development researcher. #ChoImrae #COSMECCAKOREA #cosmeticsdevelopment #Kbeauty #RND #globalexpansion #cosmeticsresearcher #EnglewoodLab #COSMECCACHINA #COSMECCASUZHOU
- Chairman of Hankook & Company
  Cho Hyun-bum
  
  Cho Hyun-bum is the Chairman and CEO of Hankook & Company, the holding company of Hankook & Company Group. He also serves as Chairman of its subsidiary, Hankook Tire & Technology. He is focusing on completing the acquisition of Hanon Systems, the world’s second-largest automotive thermal management company, and driving internal integration to create synergies with the existing group. Born on January 7, 1972, in Haman County, Gyeongnam Province, Cho Hyun-bum is the second son of Cho Yang-rae, Honorary Chairman of Hankook & Company Group. He graduated from Dwight-Englewood High School in the United States and earned a degree in finance from Boston College. After serving as Head of the Marketing Division at Hankook Tire, he moved to the position of Head of Corporate Strategy at Hankook Tire Worldwide (now Hankook & Company), the group's holding company. Following the spin-off of Hankook Tire & Technology from Hankook & Company, he joined the tire business company, Hankook Tire & Technology. Before Cho Hyun-sik, Advisor at Hankook & Company, assumed the role of Non-Executive Director of Hanon Systems, Cho Hyun-bum served as an Executive Director of Hanon Systems. He returned to management in 2020 as the sole CEO of Hankook & Company after receiving a suspended sentence in a trial related to personal misconduct. In 2023, he was arrested on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust. As of 2024, he is currently out on bail and undergoing trial without detention. Cho emphasizes creativity and a proactive corporate culture, actively engaging in communication with employees. He is the son-in-law of former President Lee Myung-bak. #ChoHyunBum #HankookAndCompany #HankookTire #HanonSystems #KoreanBusiness #CorporateLeadership #HankookGroup #AutomotiveIndustry #Leadership #KoreanCEO #BusinessNews #LeeMyungBakFamily #KoreanCompanies
- Chairman of Hyungji
  Choi Byung-oh
  
  Choi Byung-oh is the chairman of Fashion Group Hyungji and also serves as the CEO of both Fashion Group Hyungji and Hyungji I&C. He was born on November 18, 1953, in Busan, as the third of seven children in his family. After the sudden passing of his father, who ran a lime factory, Choi's family faced severe poverty. At the age of 19, after graduating from a technical high school, he began his entrepreneurial journey by operating a paint dealership. He later founded a company named "Crown" in Seoul's Dongdaemun Market, starting a women's pants wholesale business. Despite running the brand for ten years, the company eventually went bankrupt. With the idea of creating affordable and accessible clothing for women in their 30s to 50s, Choi launched the women’s casual brand "Crocodile Lady" and established Hyungji Apparel. Choi is also active as the chairman of the Korea Apparel Industry Association, a member of the Unified Economy Committee of the Federation of Korean Industries, and an adjunct professor at Soongsil University's Graduate School of Business. He is known for his bold entrepreneurial spirit, which led to his success story in Dongdaemun Market. Choi attributes his achievements to "genuine consideration for others" and "health." #ChoiByungoh #FashionGroupHyungji #CrocodileLady #entrepreneurship #Dongdaemun #womensfashion #KoreaApparelIndustry #HyungjiINC #successstory #leadership
- Chairman of Toptec
  Lee Jae-hwan
  
  Lee Jae-hwan is the chairman of Toptec. Although he serves as an internal director, he does not hold the CEO position. He is the founder of Toptec, a company that manufactures automation equipment used in production processes for displays and secondary batteries. Lee was born on February 4, 1967, in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Busan Technical High School and Dongseo University's Department of Mechanical Engineering. After completing his military service following high school, he founded Toptec in 1992. Starting from nothing, he built the company into a mid-sized enterprise with annual sales reaching into the hundreds of billions of won. In the 2020s, he successfully promoted process diversification in the secondary battery equipment sector, achieving a broader business structure beyond the display equipment focus. He has been working to diversify Toptec's secondary battery equipment customer base, which was previously skewed toward SK Group. #LeeJaeHwan #Toptec #secondarybattery #automationequipment #displayindustry #businessdiversification #entrepreneur #manufacturing #SKGroup #Koreanbusiness
- CEO of Hotel Shilla
  Lee Boo-jin
  
  Lee Boo-jin is the President and CEO of Hotel Shilla. She is focused on expanding the duty-free business and establishing a global hotel chain. She is concentrating on restoring the performance of the duty-free and hotel businesses, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Born on October 6, 1970, in Seoul, she is the eldest daughter of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee. She graduated from Daewon Foreign Language High School and Yonsei University, majoring in Child Studies. Lee began her career in the planning support team at Samsung Welfare Foundation and later moved to Samsung Electronics. She then transitioned to Hotel Shilla's planning department as a department head and was rapidly promoted to executive director. After serving as an executive director for business strategy at Samsung Everland and as an advisor for Samsung C&T's trading division, she was appointed President and CEO of Hotel Shilla. She is known for her cool-headed nature, earning the nickname "Little Lee Kun-hee." Many recognize her for having bold and decisive leadership. #LeeBooJin #HotelShilla #SamsungGroup #DutyFreeBusiness #GlobalHotelChain #BusinessLeadership #COVID19Recovery #KoreanBusinessLeaders #LeeKunHee #FemaleCEO
- President of SK Inc. C&C
  Yoon Poong-young
  
  Yoon Poong-young is the President of SK Inc. C&C. SK Inc. C&C handles the information technology (IT) services business of SK Group. Yoon Poong-young is tasked with strengthening the competitiveness of the artificial intelligence (AI)-based businesses that SK Inc. C&C focuses on, while leading the digital transformation across the entire SK Group. He was born on November 28, 1974. Yoon graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from INSEAD in France. He began his career in the information technology (IT) industry as a developer at IBM Korea. In 2007, he joined SK Telecom's business development division, marking his connection with SK Group, where he has held various positions within the organization. After holding key roles in business development, finance, and planning, he distinguished himself in the areas of strategy and investment. He served as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of SK Square, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of SK Telecom, and Head of the PM Group before being appointed President of SK Inc. C&C in 2023. Yoon is recognized for his understanding of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry and his expertise in finance. He is known for his meticulous personality and exceptional business execution capabilities. #YoonPoongyoung #SKIncC&C #SKGroup #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #ICTIndustry #SKSquare #SKTelecom #BusinessLeader #AIInnovation
- CEO of Lake Materials
  Kim Jin-dong
  
  Kim Jin-dong is the CEO of Lake Materials and also serves as the CEO of its affiliate, Lake Technology. He is focusing on expanding production capacities for organic chemical materials such as trimethylaluminum (TMA) and lithium sulfide. Kim was born on October 22, 1966, in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do. He graduated from Sungkwang High School in Daegu and earned a degree in Chemistry from Yonsei University. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in Organic Chemistry and a doctorate in Organometallic Chemistry from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Kim began his career as a researcher in the petrochemical division at Daelim Industrial. Later, he co-founded the semiconductor materials company DNF. After successfully listing DNF on the KOSDAQ market in 2007, he sold his shares in 2010 and established Lake LED, which is now Lake Materials. As an expert in organic chemical materials with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Kim achieved the successful development of high-difficulty materials like trimethylaluminum. He contributed to the domestic semiconductor materials industry by localizing materials such as LED materials and trimethylaluminum, which previously relied on imports. In 2024, Kim took office as the 3rd Chairman of the Sejong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, dedicating efforts to the growth of the local community. #KimJindong #LakeMaterials #OrganicChemistry #Trimethylaluminum #SemiconductorMaterials #LakeTechnology #Localization #SejongChamber #MaterialInnovation #Entrepreneurship

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