Profile
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Chairman of Samsung Electronics
Lee Jae-yong
- Lee Jae-yong is the chairman of Samsung Electronics. As the third-generation owner of the Samsung Group, he succeeded the late former chairman Lee Kun-hee and oversees the management of the Samsung Group. He was born on June 23, 1968, in Seoul as the grandson of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul and the eldest son of the late former chairman Lee Kun-hee. He graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul, earned a degree in Oriental History from Seoul National University, and received a Master's degree in Business Administration from Keio University in Japan. He also completed the doctoral program in Business Administration at Harvard Business School in the United States. He joined Samsung Electronics as the head of the General Affairs Group. He served as Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Management Strategy, COO and Vice President, President, and Vice Chairman. After the late former chairman Lee Kun-hee was hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction, Lee Jae-yong practically led the Samsung Group as vice chairman. Following the passing of Lee Kun-hee, he inherited shares and officially succeeded the management rights, becoming chairman. He was implicated in the Park Geun-hye-Choi Soon-sil scandal, sentenced to prison, and later released on parole. In August 2022, he was pardoned on Liberation Day. As of July 2024, he is undergoing a separate trial regarding the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, as well as the subsequent accounting fraud at Samsung Biologics. He is focusing his efforts on achieving results in new businesses such as system semiconductors, automotive electronic components, and robotics, establishing new growth engines for Samsung Electronics. In particular, he is striving to lead in advanced semiconductor microfabrication processes in the AI era, staying ahead of global competitors. He believes that securing talent and technology is the most crucial factor for strengthening competitiveness. He is known for his down-to-earth personality, emphasizing rationality and practicality in decision-making. He is also praised for his affability and communication skills. #LeeJaeyong #Samsung #SamsungElectronics #SouthKorea #BusinessLeader #Technology #Semiconductors #AI #NewBusiness #CorporateManagement
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Chairman of Samsung Electronics
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Chairman of JB Financial Group
Kim Ki-hong
- Kim Ki-hong is CEO and Chairman of JB Financial Group. Under the vision of being a "small but strong financial group," he focuses on quality growth centered on profitability and proactive risk management. Born on January 10, 1957, in Seoul, Kim graduated from Kyungdong High School and earned a degree in Business Administration from Barat College in the United States. He later obtained his MBA from the University of Missouri and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. Throughout his career, he has worked in academia, private research institutes, the Financial Supervisory Service, and KB Kookmin Bank. He served as a specialist at the Korea Institute of Taxation, director of research coordination at the Korea Insurance Development Institute, and deputy superintendent of the Financial Supervisory Service. While working as a professor in the International Business Department at Chungbuk National University, he held roles as a director at the Korea Economic Institute (KorEI), outside director at KB Kookmin Bank, and outside director at LG Insurance (now KB Insurance). He later moved to KB Kookmin Bank as senior vice president and strategy group vice president, where he was in charge of planning the establishment of the KB Kookmin Bank holding company. After serving as CEO of JB Asset Management, he was appointed as chairperson and CEO of JB Financial Group, where he has been re-elected. His management style is characterized by determination; he is known for his aggressive work style, often referred to as a "bulldozer," while also being adept at communication. #KimKiHong #JBFinancialGroup #financialmanagement #Koreanbanking #leadership #businessadministration #riskmanagement #qualitygrowth #KookminBank #bulldozermanagement
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Chairman of JB Financial Group
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CEO of SK Shieldus
Hong Won-pyo
- Hong Won-pyo is the CEO of SK Shieldus. He became the first CEO following SK Shieldus's acquisition by EQT Partners, an investment company of Switzerland's Wallenberg Group. He is dedicated to fostering new business ventures and expanding globally through the integration of physical and cybersecurity. Born on February 8, 1960, in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in electronic engineering and earned a master’s and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, USA. He started his career as a program manager at Bell Labs in the U.S., then moved to Korea Telecom, where he served in various roles, including Head of Technology Planning for Korea Telecom Freetel (KTF), Head of Strategic Planning and Coordination, Head of Marketing, and Head of New Business. He later joined Samsung Electronics as Vice President and Head of Product Strategy for the Wireless Business Division, and was promoted to president while heading the Media Solution Center. After serving as Global Marketing Head at Samsung Electronics, he led the Solutions Business Division at Samsung SDS before being appointed CEO. After stepping down as CEO in 2021, he became an advisor. In 2023, after the Wallenberg Group’s acquisition of SK Shieldus, he was appointed CEO. He is known for his quick decision-making, strong skills in management, marketing, and external communications.
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CEO of SK Shieldus
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Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City
Hong Joon-pyo
- Hong Joon-pyo is the Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City. He is considered one of the potential presidential candidates from the conservative camp. By winning the 2022 local election with a high vote share, he secured a foothold for a possible future presidential bid after a previous failed attempt. As Mayor of Daegu, Hong focuses on key tasks such as the construction of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, fostering five advanced industries, resolving Daegu’s water supply issues, and restructuring public institutions. Amid declining approval ratings for the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the ruling People Power Party in 2024, Hong is expected to play a significant role as a senior figure within the party. He was born on December 5, 1954, in Changnyeong County, Gyeongsangnam-do. Hong graduated from Yeongnam High School in Daegu and studied Public Administration at Korea University. He passed the bar exam and became a prosecutor, gaining fame as a tough prosecutor in the Criminal Division, notably for his investigation into the slot machine scandal, which inspired the prosecutor character in the drama 'Sandglass.' He left the prosecution after serving as Legal Adviser to the Director of the National Security Planning Agency (NSP). He entered politics at the suggestion of President Kim Young-sam. Hong ran for the National Assembly in Songpa District, Seoul, and was elected but lost his seat due to a violation of election laws. He returned to the National Assembly after winning a seat in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, and was re-elected three times in the same district, during which he served as the floor leader and senior member of the Grand National Party, eventually becoming party leader. After losing in the 19th National Assembly election, Hong ran in the by-election for Gyeongsangnam-do Governor and won, successfully securing re-election. He paid off the province’s debt during his term but faced constant controversy due to his blunt speaking style. In the 19th presidential election, he ran as the candidate for the Liberty Korea Party but was defeated by Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party. As the leader of the Liberty Korea Party, Hong led the party through the 7th local elections but suffered a significant loss, with traditional strongholds like Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam falling to the opposition. When he was denied a nomination by the United Future Party for the 21st National Assembly election, he ran as an independent candidate in Suseong District, Daegu, and won. He later rejoined the People Power Party. Hong has maintained an independent stance within the conservative bloc, without affiliating with any particular faction. He is known for his outspoken and direct speech, which has often led to controversy. This style resulted in his dismissal as Senior Advisor of the People Power Party and a 10-month suspension of party membership, weakening his position within the party. #HongJoonpyo #DaeguMayor #ConservativePolitics #PeoplePowerParty #DirectSpeech #GyeongsangnamdoGovernor #LibertyKoreaParty #PresidentialCandidate #PoliticalControversy #IndependentStance
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Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City
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CEO of LX Holdings
Koo Bon-joon
- Koo Bon-joon is the chairman of LX Group. He also serves as the CEO of LX Holdings, the holding company of LX Group. After separating from LG Group to form LX Group, he established it as a prominent conglomerate within two years. He is focused on developing new businesses, including the semiconductor business, which he had to leave midway during his tenure at LG Group. He was born on December 24, 1951, in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, as the third son of Koo Ja-kyung, Honorary Chairman of LG Group. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Computational Statistics and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. He worked at AT&T Technologies in the United States, then held positions such as Manager at Goldstar Semiconductor, Executive Director at LG Chemical, Executive Director at LG Semiconductor, and CEO of LG Semiconductor. He served as the President and CEO of LG Philips LCD (now LG Display), was promoted to Vice Chairman, and then moved to serve as Vice Chairman and CEO of LG International Corp. When LG Electronics faced a crisis, he returned as a savior and served as Vice Chairman and CEO of LG Electronics for 4 years and 8 months. He then moved to lead the New Growth Business Promotion Team of LG Corp., where he was responsible for identifying the group's growth engines. He played a pivotal role in the management system of former LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo by enhancing the competitiveness and profitability of core businesses and overseeing overall business operations. He represented the group both internally and externally, managing group operations, strengthening new businesses, and presiding over performance reporting meetings on behalf of former LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo. When former LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo passed away and his son Koo Kwang-mo ascended as chairman, Koo Bon-joon retired as an advisor to LG. Following LG Group's tradition, he separated from LG Group in 2021, officially launching LX Group and becoming its chairman. He has a keen interest in the technology and products that form the foundation of manufacturing and is highly passionate about leading the market. He is known for his "direct" style, being unreserved in expressing his thoughts and pursuing what he wants to do. #LXGroup #KooBonJoon #Chairman #LGGroup #Semiconductor #NewBusiness #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Manufacturing #MarketLeadership
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CEO of LX Holdings
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Chairman of Korea Zinc
Choi Yoon-beom
- Choi Yoon-beom is the Chairman and CEO of Korea Zinc. Together with CEO Park Ki-deok, he leads the company in a dual CEO system. After his father, Honorary Chairman Choi Chang-gul, retired from management, Choi Yoon-beom has been expanding Korea Zinc's business from its traditional zinc operations into new ventures such as secondary battery materials. He was born on March 17, 1975, as the second son among two sons and one daughter of Honorary Chairman Choi Chang-gul and Yoo Jung-geun, former President of the Korean Red Cross. He graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Mathematics and from Columbia Law School. After working as a lawyer in the United States, he joined Korea Zinc as the Director of the Management Support Division at the Onsan Refinery. Starting with the Peru mine development local corporation, he worked at overseas subsidiaries such as the Australian zinc refinery, and in December 2022, he became the Chairman after serving as CEO in 2019. He has a strong interest in the eco-friendly energy sector and has been actively fostering this field as a new business for Korea Zinc from early on. He is proactive in communication with employees and places great importance on fieldwork. #ChoiYoonbeom #KoreaZinc #Chairman #CEO #ZincBusiness #SecondaryBatteryMaterials #EcoFriendlyEnergy #BusinessExpansion #Leadership #CorporateManagement
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Chairman of Korea Zinc
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Executive Advisor of EcoPro
Lee Dong-chae
- Lee Dong-chae is the Executive Advisor of EcoPro. He is also the founder of the EcoPro Group. The EcoPro Group, which focuses primarily on battery materials, is preparing countermeasures as it faces challenges due to a slowdown in the growth of the electric vehicle market. He was born on December 10, 1959, in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. He graduated from Daegu Commercial High School and later earned a degree in Business Administration from Yeungnam University. Lee started his career at Korea Housing Bank and briefly worked at Samsung Electronics. After earning his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license, he worked as an accountant. Despite having a stable income as an accountant, he transformed into an entrepreneur, determined to become a business leader supporting 10,000 employees. In 1998, he founded *Korea Zeoleum*, which became the foundation of EcoPro Group. He was inspired to enter the environmental business sector after learning about the Kyoto Protocol. Through unwavering efforts in the battery material business, he developed EcoPro into one of the leading companies listed on the KOSDAQ market. He was sentenced to prison for gaining profits through stock trading based on insider information but was released through a special amnesty granted on Liberation Day. Before founding EcoPro, he lost his entire fortune when a fur business he had invested in with a relative went bankrupt during the Asian financial crisis. From this experience, he learned the importance of unique business ideas, human resources, and the role of capital markets. In 2004, he received a proposal from Cheil Industries to acquire its cathode materials and precursor business, marking the beginning of EcoPro’s focus on battery materials. With stock assets worth over a trillion KRW, he ranked among the top 10 wealthiest individuals in South Korea based on stock holdings by the end of 2023. He emphasizes the importance of talent. #LeeDongchae #EcoPro #battery #electricvehicle #KyotoProtocol #entrepreneur #KOSDAQ #CPA #KoreaZeoleum #LiberationDay
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Executive Advisor of EcoPro
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Chairman of Woori Financial Group
Yim Jong-yong
- Yim Jong-yong is the chairman of Woori Financial Group. He is working on strengthening Woori Financial Group's non-banking portfolio through the acquisition of insurance companies and the establishment of a securities firm. He was born on August 3, 1959, in Boseong, Jeollanam-do. He graduated from Youngdong High School in Seoul and majored in economics at Yonsei University. In 1981, he entered public service by passing the 24th Administrative Examination. He served as the head of the Banking System Division, Securities System Division, and Financial Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and as the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. He concluded his public service career as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister but returned to public service as the chairman of NH Nonghyup Financial Group and then as the chairman of the Financial Services Commission. He is nicknamed the "Master of Mediation." When he was appointed chairman of NH Nonghyup Financial Group, there were many concerns about whether he could withstand the powerful influence of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation due to his background as a former MOFIA (Ministry of Finance and Economy) official and his gentle personality. However, before the acquisition of Woori Investment & Securities, he personally persuaded the heads of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of the necessity of the acquisition, leading to the successful acquisition of Woori Investment & Securities. There were many skeptical views, with some saying, "Even Zhuge Liang couldn’t handle Nonghyup Financial," but with his excellent mediation skills, he expanded Nonghyup's financial business, earning him the reputation of being the "Zhuge Liang of the financial world."
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Chairman of Woori Financial Group
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CEO of GS E&C
Huh Yoon-hong
- Huh Yoon-hong is the President and CEO of GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C). As the 4th generation leader of the GS Group, he is dedicated to restoring trust following a series of incidents and controversies, including the collapse of an underground parking lot in Incheon. He was born on January 24, 1979, in Seoul, as the eldest son of Huh Chang-soo, the Chairman of GS Construction. He graduated from Seoul Han Young Foreign Language High School and earned a degree in International Business from Saint Louis University in the United States. He also obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. After joining LG-Caltex Oil (now GS Caltex), he moved to GS Construction, where he is celebrating his 19th year. Prior to becoming CEO, he held positions as the Future Innovation Representative, Business Support Director, and Head of New Business Division. With extensive experience in overseas construction sites, he emphasizes on-site management. Known for his modest and amicable personality, he often shares drinks with his employees.
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CEO of GS E&C
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CEO of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment
Choi Cheol-gon
- Choi Cheol-gon is the CEO and President of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment. He is focusing on expanding into the American and emerging markets. He is also exploring ways to create synergy among the three companies in the construction equipment division of HD Hyundai (formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries Group). Choi was born on April 17, 1960, in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. He graduated from Busan Mechanical Technical High School and the Business Administration Department at Korea National Open University. He earned both his master's and doctoral degrees in Business Administration from Changwon National University Graduate School. Choi started his career at Samsung Heavy Industries and then worked for Volvo Construction Equipment Group and Doosan Infracore. In 2021, he joined Hyundai Construction Equipment as Vice President and was appointed CEO in November of the same year. He was promoted to President in 2022. Every week, he visits the Ulsan factory to inspect the site and actively communicate with the employees. #ChoiCheolgon #HDHyundai #ConstructionEquipment #AmericanMarket #EmergingMarkets #Synergy #HyundaiHeavyIndustries #BusinessAdministration #SamsungHeavyIndustries #VolvoConstructionEquipment #DoosanInfracore
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CEO of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment
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