KOREA WHO

Profile

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  • Chairman of Kyobo Life Insurance

    Shin Chang-jae

    Shin Chang-jae is the Chairman and CEO of Kyobo Life Insurance. He is the only owner-CEO in the domestic life insurance industry and serves as a co-CEO alongside President Cho Dae-gyu. He is actively pushing for the transition to a holding company and the establishment of a comprehensive financial group. Shin is showing strong determination to resume the IPO, which was previously halted due to disputes with financial investors. Born on October 31, 1953, in Seoul, he is the eldest son of Shin Yong-ho, the founder of Kyobo Life Insurance. After graduating from Gyeonggi High School in Seoul and Seoul National University College of Medicine, he obtained a master's degree and a doctorate in medicine from Seoul National University Graduate School. He worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist and served as a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine for 10 years. After being diagnosed with cancer, he accepted his father's request, who was considering succession issues, to join the management of Kyobo Life as Vice Chairman. Under his leadership, Kyobo Life grew from a loss-making company to the third largest in the life insurance industry by total assets. He advocates for "ambidextrous management," generating profits from the life insurance business with one hand while discovering future growth engines like MyData and healthcare services with the other. His management style is generally cautious but can be bold at times. He also emphasizes open communication with employees. #KyoboLife #ShinChangJae #lifeinsurance #holdingcompany #IPO #finance #healthcare #MyData #leadership #businessgrowth

    NEWS

    • • Kyobo Life Faces Industry Downturn and Holding Company Transition, Shin Chang-jae's Weapon is ‘Digital’
    • • Shin Chang-jae Leads Kyobo Life Briefing: "Gain Trust with Solutions"
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  • Chairman of Kakao Management Innovation

    Kim Beom-soo

    Kim Beom-soo is the Chairman of the Kakao Management Innovation Committee. After creating and growing the 'nation's messenger' KakaoTalk, he quickly expanded the business into finance, content, and mobility. Although he once stepped back from frontline management to focus on discovering overseas business opportunities as the head of the Future Initiative Center, he returned to management to address the crisis surrounding Kakao. He was born on March 8, 1966, in Seoul. He graduated from Konkuk University High School and Seoul National University with a degree in industrial engineering, and earned a master's degree in industrial engineering from the graduate school at Seoul National University. He joined Samsung SDS and worked with Lee Hae-jin, Naver's Global Investment Officer (GIO), who was his colleague. He also met Nam-goong Hoon, co-CEO of Kakao Games, at Samsung SDS. He operated 'Mission Number One,' the largest PC room in the country, in front of Hanyang University. He saved money from the PC room business to establish the gaming company 'Hangame,' attracting 10 million members within a year and a half. Hangame merged with Navercom, led by Lee Hae-jin, to form NHN. By providing Hangame for free on Naver and selling items within the games, they significantly increased revenue. After a disagreement with Lee Hae-jin, he left NHN after managing overseas branches and moved to the United States. Despite several business attempts, he did not achieve notable success. After seeing the iPhone in the United States, he predicted the decline of the PC web era. Returning to Korea to engage in mobile business, he launched the mobile messenger KakaoTalk. After growing the company with KakaoTalk, he merged with Daum Communications, becoming the largest shareholder and chairman of the board of Daum Kakao. A year after the merger, the company name was changed to Kakao. He is actively working to build the 'Kakao ecosystem' by supporting startups and engaging in educational activities to help young entrepreneurs. His personality is bold and humble. He has a gambler's instinct, making quick and decisive decisions. #KimBeomsoo #Kakao #KakaoTalk #mobilemessenger #startup #entrepreneur #Hangame #NHN #DaumKakao #SamsungSDS

    NEWS

    • • UK Media Criticizes South Korean Tech Companies Over Kim Beom-soo's Arrest, “Resembling Chaebols”
    • • Kim Beom-soo’s Legal Risks and Labor Disputes, Kakao’s Reform Amid Internal and External Struggles
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  • Chairman of Foosung

    Kim Keun-soo

    Kim Keun-soo is the founder and chairman of the Foosung Group and also serves as the chairman of Firstec. He was born on September 15, 1948, as the second son of Kim Young-joo, former honorary chairman of Korea Flange Industrial (now Korea Movex), and Chung Hee-young, the younger sister of Chung Ju-yung, former honorary chairman of the Hyundai Group. Kim graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Kyung Hee University and later completed his MBA at California State University in the United States. He began his career at Hyundai Construction. In 1980, he acquired Korea Refractories and, in 1983, purchased Ulsan Chemical, marking his independent path after separating from Hyundai Group. He expanded his business into sectors with high entry barriers, such as refrigerants and specialty gases for semiconductors. In anticipation of the electric vehicle market's growth, he also entered the electrolyte business for secondary batteries, achieving diversification. The group name "Foosung" was derived from his personal pen name. #KimKeunsoo #FoosungGroup #Firstec #electricvehicles #semiconductor #HyundaiGroup #businessdiversification #refrigerants #specialtygases #secondarybatteries

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  • President of Dongseo University

    Chang Je-kuk

    Chang Je-kuk is the President of Dongseo University. He has been in office since 2011, serving four consecutive terms. His current term began on March 1, 2023, and will continue until the end of February 2027, spanning four years. His father, Chang Seong-man, was the founder of Dongseo University and a former National Assembly Speaker. His mother, Park Dong-sun, is the former President of Dongseo University and currently serves as the chair of the university's board of directors. Born on August 12, 1964, Chang Je-kuk majored in Political Science at George Washington University in the United States, where he also earned a master's degree in Political Science from the university's graduate school. He obtained a Doctorate in Law from Syracuse University and a Doctorate in Political Science from Keio University in Japan. He is licensed to practice law in the United States. After spending over ten years as a special advisor and auditor for companies in Japan and the United States, he joined Dongseo University in 2003 as a professor in the Department of International Relations, which was founded by his father. At the university, he has served as the Chair of the International Cooperation Committee and the Director of the Japan Research Center, and became the Vice President in 2007. He has been the President since 2011, leading the university for over a decade. Externally, he has also held roles such as a policy advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and co-chair of the Special Committee for the 2030 Busan Expo Bid. He has served as President of the Korea Association of Private Universities and Chairman of the Korean Council for University Education. With Dongseo University joining the ranks of the Glocal University 30 in 2024, there is growing interest in whether Chang Je-kuk will solidify his reputation as a successful 'ownership model.' #ChangJeKuk #DongseoUniversity #UniversityPresident #PoliticalScience #InternationalRelations #GlocalUniversity30 #KoreanEducation #2030BusanExpo #KoreanPrivateUniversities #EducationLeadership

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  • CEO and President of Hyundai E&C

    Yoon Young-joon

    Yoon Young-joon is the President and CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Due to the contraction of the real estate market, he is focused on steadily advancing the pre-ordered residential construction projects. Along with securing urban redevelopment projects focused on large-scale developments such as Apgujeong and Hannam New Town in Seoul, he is actively engaging in new businesses such as large nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMR), renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPA), and offshore wind power. He is interested in securing profitability through high-value overseas orders and stable management of construction sites. He was born on December 19, 1957. He graduated from Cheongju University with a degree in Public Administration and obtained a Master's degree in Environmental Studies from Yonsei University Graduate School. He is a housing business expert who has worked solely at Hyundai Engineering & Construction for 35 years, overseeing and managing various construction projects as a site manager. During his tenure as Head of the Housing Business Division, he achieved good results in urban redevelopment project orders and housing brand management, which led to his promotion to President and CEO. He demonstrates exceptional organizational control and a competitive spirit. He is meticulous and thorough. #YoonYoungjoon #HyundaiConstruction #realestate #urbanredevelopment #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #offshorewind #housingexpert #constructionmanagement #leadership

    NEWS

    • • Hyundai E&C’s Yoon Young-joon VS POSCO E&C’s Chon Jung-son: Tight Race for Top Spot in Urban Redevelopment Again This Year
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  • CEO of Shinhan Life Insurance

    Lee Young-jong

    Lee Young-jong is the CEO & President of Shinhan Life. He is striving to elevate Shinhan Life, the merged entity of Shinhan Life and Orange Life (formerly ING Life), to become the second-largest life insurance company through internal consolidation. Born in February 1966. Graduated from Busan Baejung High School and Seoul National University with a degree in Business Administration. Joined Shinhan Bank, where he served as the head of the Future Strategy Department and branch manager of the Shinchon Central Branch. Moved to Orange Life after serving as the head of the Strategy Planning Team and Headquarters at Shinhan Financial Group, and as the head of the Gangseo Headquarters at Shinhan Bank. At Orange Life, he worked as the head of the New Life (Newlife) Initiative and served as CEO. In the newly established Shinhan Life, formed by the merger of Shinhan Life and Orange Life, he held positions as the head of the Strategic Planning Group and the Retirement Pension Business Group. He is a leading strategy expert within Shinhan Financial Group. He played a leading role in major mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including the merger of Shinhan Bank and Chohung Bank, the merger of Shinhan Life and Orange Life, and the acquisition of Orange Life and Asia Trust. ### Keywords #LeeYoungjong #ShinhanLife #CEO #OrangeLife #Merger #ShinhanFinancialGroup #LifeInsurance #StrategyExpert #MergersAndAcquisitions #SouthKorea

    NEWS

    • • Shinhan Life's Lee Young-jong Sees Strong Performance, Reappointment Likely; Shinhan EZ General Insurance's Kang Byeong-gwan Faces Uncertainty Amid Poor Results
    • • Lee Young-jong's Strategic Move: Day Care for Seniors
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  • Chairman of Mirae Asset Financial Group

    Park Hyeon-joo

    Park Hyeon-joo is the chairman of Mirae Asset Financial Group. He leads Mirae Asset Financial Group, which has major subsidiaries including securities companies, asset management companies, insurance companies, and capital companies. He is expanding global operations by targeting emerging markets like India and strengthening the overseas ETF brand. He was born on October 17, 1958, in Gwangju. He graduated from Gwangju Jeil High School and Korea University's Business Administration Department. After graduating from university, he established an investment advisory firm and served as its representative. Despite receiving offers from various domestic and international securities companies, he joined Dongyang Securities (now Yuanta Securities) to learn market analysis. After joining, he secured a corporate order worth KRW 300 million (US$ 216,300), and was promoted to assistant manager within three months. He moved to Dongwon Securities (now Korea Investment & Securities) and became the branch manager of the central branch at the age of 32, becoming the youngest branch manager in the country at that time. He was promoted to director of the Gangnam Headquarters of Dongwon Securities, but decided to start his own business. Along with Guh Jae-sang, the Apgujeong branch manager, and Choi Hyun-man, the Seocho branch manager, he established Mirae Venture Investment (now Mirae Asset Capital) with the so-called ‘Park Hyeon-joo division’. After establishing Mirae Venture Investment and Mirae Asset Management, he launched Korea's first mutual fund, 'Mirae Asset Park Hyeon-joo No. 1'. He then expanded into securities and insurance by founding Mirae Asset Venture Investment, Mirae Asset Securities, and Mirae Asset Life Insurance. He pursued aggressive M&A strategies domestically and internationally, acquiring companies like SK Investment Trust Management, SK Life Insurance, KDB Daewoo Securities, and specialized ETF management companies in Canada, the US, and Australia, as well as Sharekhan Securities in India in 2023. After stepping down as chairman of the group's core subsidiary, Mirae Asset Securities, he established an independent management system through professional vice-chairmen. As of 2024, he is focusing on overseas business as the Chief Global Strategist, striving to grow Mirae Asset Financial Group into a global financial investment company. He is regarded as a 'pioneer of the Korean capital market' and 'the best financial strategist.' He is known for his gambler-like instincts and animalistic investment sense. #ParkHyeonjoo #MiraeAsset #investment #financialgroup #globalstrategy #capitalmarket #ETF #mutualfund #businessleader #M&A

    NEWS

    • • 'Giant' Mirae Asset's Park Hyeon-joo, Relentlessly Marching Toward a Global Investment Bank
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  • Chairman of CJ Group

    Lee Jay-hyun

    Lee Jay-hyun is the chairman of CJ Group. In 2023, he has focused his efforts on improving the management efficiency of CJ Group's affiliates and preparing future growth engines amidst declining profitability. He is executing a strategy to invest over KRW 20 trillion (approximately USD 14.4 billion) by 2025 in the areas identified as the four growth engines: Culture, Platform, Wellness, and Sustainability (C.P.W.S). He was born on March 19, 1960, in Seoul, as the eldest son of Lee Maeng-hee, former honorary chairman of CJ, and Sohn Bok-nam, former management advisor of CJ CheilJedang. He is also the eldest grandson of Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung Group. Lee graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul and earned a degree in law from Korea University. After working at Citibank, he joined CJ CheilJedang, where he held various positions, including manager of the accounting department, managing director, executive director, and vice-chairman. Through expansive management, he transformed CJ CheilJedang, a food company with sales of approximately KRW 2.2 trillion (approximately USD 1.6 billion), into CJ Group, encompassing food, logistics, biotechnology, and media. After serving a prison sentence for charges including tax evasion, he was released in 2016 through a special pardon on Liberation Day. Upon returning to management, he has pursued mergers and acquisitions and restructured the affiliate governance to expand CJ Group's business. He is known for being frugal and humble.

    NEWS

    • • CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun's Emphasis on 'Co-Prosperity Management' at Risk of Losing Credibility
    • • Lee Jay-hyun: "Hallyu is My Strength" - Accelerating Succession with Expanding CJ Content, Food, and Beauty Markets
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  • Chairman of Shinhan Financial Group

    Jin Ok-dong

    Jin Ok-dong is the CEO and Chairman of Shinhan Financial Group. While pursuing management efficiency and organizational stability, he has solidified Shinhan Financial Group's status as a leading domestic financial holding company by achieving digital transformation and global management success. He was born on February 21, 1961, in Imsil, Jeollabuk-do. He graduated from Seoul Deoksu Commercial High School and the Business Administration Department of Korea National Open University, and obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration from Chung-Ang University Graduate School. He began his career at the Industrial Bank of Korea. He moved to Shinhan Bank, where he served as Deputy General Manager of the Credit Review Department and Team Leader of the Funds Department. During his tenure as the manager of the Osaka branch in Japan, he led the launch of SBJ Bank, Shinhan Bank's Japanese subsidiary, and later served as SBJ Bank's Vice President and CEO. He served as Vice President in charge of management support at Shinhan Bank and Vice President in charge of operations at Shinhan Financial Group before being appointed CEO of Shinhan Bank in 2018. In 2022, after competing with former Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byung and former Shinhan Card President Lim Young-jin, he was selected as the CEO and Chairman candidate by the Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Candidate Recommendation Committee. He values horizontal communication and leading by example. He is known for his gentle and unpretentious personality.

    NEWS

    • • Will Shinhan Financial's Jin Ok-dong Continue His Long Tenure This Year? Profitability Could Affect Leadership Changes
    • • Jin Ok-dong Boosts Shinhan Financial Group Stock: Investor Engagement to Drive Value-Up
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  • Chairman of KB Financial Group

    Yang Jong-hee

    Yang Jong-hee is the CEO and Chairman of KB Financial Group. He is focused on maintaining the position of 'leading finance,' expanding the competitiveness of non-banking and overseas businesses. He is leading mutual growth finance and working to enhance the corporate value of KB Financial Group in line with the government's corporate value-up policy. He was born on June 10, 1961, in Jeonju. After graduating from Jeonju High School and the Department of Korean History at Seoul National University, he completed a master's program at Sogang University Graduate School of Business. He joined Housing Bank and served as the head of the Seocho Station branch of KB Kookmin Bank. At KB Financial Group, he served as the head of the Board Secretariat, head of Strategic Planning Department, and executive director in charge of strategic planning. While leading the practical acquisition of LIG Insurance (now KB Insurance), he made a remarkable leap to vice president, skipping the senior managing director position. As the CEO of KB Insurance, he increased net profit and led the company stably despite the industry's downturn. He served as Vice Chairman of KB Financial Group before being appointed Chairman of KB Financial Group. He is highly regarded for his strengths in finance and strategy. #YangJonghee #KBFinancialGroup #FinanceLeader #CorporateValue #StrategicPlanning #KoreanFinance #KBInsurance #FinancialCEO #CorporateStrategy #LeadershipInFinance

    NEWS

    • • KB Financial's Yang Jong-hee Leadership Takes Hold: Can He Escape the Shadow of His Predecessor and Show His Own Style?
    • • KB Financial vs. Shinhan: Yang Jong-hee's Overseas Success Crucial