Life Summary
Cho Won-tae is Chairman of Hanjin Group. He also serves as CEO of Korean Air.

He is completing the integration of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which is set to launch from 2027, while preparing for a possible management control dispute with Hoban Group, which has been increasing its stake in Hanjin KAL.

He was born in Seoul on January 25, 1976, as the eldest son among one son and two daughters of the late Cho Yang-ho, former Chairman of Hanjin Group.

He graduated from Marian High School in the United States, attended Hilbert College, and later transferred to the Department of Business Administration at Inha University. He completed the MBA program at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.

After joining Hanjin Information & Communication, he moved to Korean Air.

In 2007, he became CEO of Uniconverse, an information technology (IT) affiliate of Hanjin Group, and in 2016 he was appointed CEO of Korean Air. In 2019, he became CEO of Hanjin KAL and Chairman of Hanjin Group.

Although he was at a disadvantage in terms of shareholding during the management control dispute within Hanjin Group, he reversed the situation through the acquisition and merger of Asiana Airlines, opening the era of a “mega carrier,” or ultra-large airline.

He has served as President of the Korea Volleyball Federation and Chairman of the Korea Pro Sports Association.