KOREA WHO

Profile

• • 

  • Vice Chairman of Hyosung

    Cho Hyun-sang

    Cho Hyun-sang is the COO and Vice Chairman of Hyosung. He also serves as an internal director at Hyosung Advanced Materials and Hyosung Information Systems. As the 3rd generation owner of the Hyosung Group, he is preparing for independent management through the establishment of the new holding company HS Hyosung. He was born on November 26, 1971, as the third son of the late Honorary Chairman Cho Seok-rae. He graduated from Gyeonggi Elementary School, Cheongun Middle School, Kyungbo High School, and Brown University in the United States with a degree in Economics. He began his career at the consulting firm Bain & Company. He joined Hyosung and worked in the Restructuring TFT Management Innovation Team. He joined Japan's NTT Communication, where he led wireless and wireline strategic projects and participated in establishing the Korean branch. He re-entered Hyosung's Strategic Planning Division Management Innovation Team and served as the Industrial Materials PG Manager and Chemical PG CMO. After being promoted to President, he initially served as the Head of the Strategic Planning Division and later became the President overseeing the company's division. Known for his meticulous and detail-oriented approach, he is recognized as an M&A expert within the group and mainly handles the group's external activities.

    NEWS

    • • Why Is HS Hyosung Selling Its Tire Steel Cord Business? Cho Hyun-sang Bets on Carbon Fiber and Anode Materials
• • 

  • CEO of Kurly

    Kim Seul-ah

    Kim Seul-ah, the CEO of Kurly, was born on June 16, 1983, in Ulsan. She graduated from Korean Minjok Leadership Academy and majored in political science at Wellesley College, a private women's college in the United States. After working in bond trading at Goldman Sachs, she moved to McKinsey & Company. She later worked at Temasek Holdings, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, and Bain & Company, a consulting firm, before founding The Farmers, the predecessor of Kurly, in 2014. With the early morning fresh food delivery service, Dawn Delivery, she quickly elevated Market Kurly to the status of a unicorn company. To ensure Market Kurly's continued growth, she is pursuing an initial public offering (IPO). She describes herself as a hardworking talent. Her goal is to create a company that can endure beyond its founder, allowing employees to share in its successes. #KimSeulah #Kurly #FemaleCEO #Startup #MarketKurly #UnicornCompany #IPO #HardworkingTalent #Entrepreneur #Leadership

    NEWS

    • • "If It’s Not Delicious, I’d Rather Starve" – Kurly CEO Kim Seul-ah Opens Her Fridge, Wins Fans with Subtle Promotion
    • • Will Kim Seul-ah and Kurly Succeed in IPO, Aiming to Become an E-commerce Giant?
• • 

  • CEO of UTI

    Park Deok-young

    Park Deok-young is the CEO of UTI. He is focused on expanding production capacity through aggressive investments, including the construction of a new factory in Vietnam as part of business diversification efforts. He was born on February 15, 1960. He graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in Ceramic Engineering and began his career in the Optical Communication Division of Daewoo Telecom. He gained experience at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology’s Parts and Materials Research Center and the Thin Film Head Division of Nova Magnetics before founding NeowinSys in 2006, entering the strengthened glass business. After leaving NeowinSys through aggressive mergers and acquisitions, he founded UTI in 2010 and re-entered the strengthened glass industry. He developed a technology that directly embeds touch circuits into strengthened glass substrates, significantly reducing touch screen production costs. As a researcher-turned-entrepreneur, he emphasizes technology and innovation. He values a culture of open and independent research. #ParkDeokyoung #UTI #strengthenedglass #touchscreen #technologyinnovation #businessstrategy #manufacturing #SouthKorea #YonseiUniversity #corporatemanagement

• • 

  • President of Soongsil University

    Lee Yun-jae

    Lee Yun-jae is the President of Soongsil University. He took office on February 4, 2025. He aims to reboot Soongsil University through "Hyper-Innovation in the Era of Great Transition," focusing on restoring its status and targeting niche markets. He was born on December 18, 1956, in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do. He graduated from Dangjin High School and earned a degree in economics from Soongsil University. He later obtained both his master's and doctoral degrees in economics from Northern Illinois University in the United States. In 1991, he joined Soongsil University as a professor in the Department of Economics and held various administrative positions, including Director of Planning, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Dean of Student Affairs. Externally, he served as the President of the Korean Association of Small Business Studies and Chairman of the Hope Foundation for Small and Medium Business Owners. An expert in macroeconomics and open economy fluctuations, he has a strong interest in the economic issues of small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs. #LeeYunjae #SoongsilUniversity #universitypresident #economist #macroeconomics #highereducation #smallbusiness #economicpolicy #Korea #leadership

• • 

  • Chairman of HLB

    Jin Yang-gon

    Jin Yang-gon is the Chairman and CEO of HLB. He is focused on the commercialization of new drugs, including the anticancer drug "Rivoceranib," and securing growth momentum through mergers and acquisitions. He was born on January 14, 1966, in Busan. He graduated from Wonkwang University with a degree in law and earned a master's degree in business administration from Yonsei University Graduate School. After working at Busan Bank and Peace Bank, he left the banking sector and ran a pub. In 1998, he founded the consulting firm J&Lee Partners. In 2004, he established the investment company Golden Light and entered the mergers and acquisitions business. After acquiring HLB, he ventured into the biotechnology industry. He has applied for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Rivoceranib as a liver cancer treatment and is preparing for commercialization. He advocates for people-centered management. #HLB #biotech #pharmaceuticals #Rivoceranib #FDAapproval #anticancerdrug #businessleadership #mergersandacquisitions #Korea #healthcare

    NEWS

    • • HLB's Expansion: Strategic Growth or Fundraising? Jin Yang-gon’s Multiple Directorships Spark Controversy
    • • 10 Years of Anticipation: HLB’s Jin Yang-gon Stakes Fate on FDA Liver Cancer Drug Approval
• • 

  • Chairman of Kyeryong Construction

    Lee Seung-chan

    Lee Seung-chan is the Chairman of Kyeryong Construction Industrial. He has shifted from conservative management focused on internal stability to a more aggressive expansion strategy. Lee has diversified the company’s business portfolio by expanding into distribution (such as highway rest areas) and leisure businesses (such as golf course management). Additionally, he has been promoting growth in modular housing, smart farming, and shared housing sectors. Born on November 27, 1976, in Daejeon, he is the youngest son and only son of Kyeryong Construction Industrial’s founder, Lee In-gu. Lee graduated from Daejeon High School and studied economics at Yonsei University. He earned both a master's and doctorate in architectural engineering from Chungnam National University. He began his career at Doosan Construction, gaining industry experience, before joining Kyeryong Construction Industrial as a director. He rose through the ranks, serving as senior managing director, executive vice president, and chief operating officer, eventually becoming president and CEO. As a second-generation executive leader, he held the CEO role but stepped down upon his promotion to chairman on March 28, 2023, retaining only his position as an inside director on the board. #LeeSeungchan #KyeryongConstruction #businessdiversification #modularhousing #smartfarming #sharedhousing #Chairman #expansionstrategy #secondgenerationCEO #leisurebusiness

    NEWS

    • • Kyeryong Construction Ramps Up Orders: Lee Seung-chan Aims to Reignite Public Sector Dominance
• • 

  • Chairman of Samsung Electronics

    Lee Jae-yong

    Lee Jae-yong is the chairman of Samsung Electronics. As the third-generation leader of the Samsung conglomerate, he oversees the management of the group, succeeding former chairman Lee Kun-hee. He is focusing his efforts on reviving the struggling semiconductor sector while prioritizing the development of four major new business areas identified as future growth drivers: automotive electronic components, robotics, healthcare, and eco-friendly air conditioning systems. Born on June 23, 1968, in Seoul, he is the eldest son among one son and three daughters of the late chairman Lee Kun-hee. He graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul and majored in Oriental History at Seoul National University. He obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Keio University in Japan and completed a doctoral program in business administration at Harvard Business School in the United States. Lee joined Samsung Electronics as a manager in the General Affairs Group. He climbed through the ranks, holding positions such as executive director in charge of management strategy, chief operating officer (COO) and vice president, president, and vice chairman. After Lee Kun-hee suffered an acute myocardial infarction and was hospitalized, Lee Jae-yong effectively led the Samsung Group as vice chairman. He formally inherited leadership following his father’s passing. He served a prison sentence for his involvement in the Park Geun-hye-Choi Soon-sil corruption scandal but was released on parole. In August 2022, he was reinstated through a special Liberation Day pardon and became chairman of Samsung Electronics in October of the same year. Lee is also involved in a separate trial concerning accounting fraud allegations related to Samsung BioLogics during the merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries. Known for his practical and rational decision-making, he is regarded as approachable, with strong interpersonal and communication skills. #Samsung #LeeJaeYong #SamsungElectronics #Semiconductor #NewBusiness #Leadership #Korea #CorporateManagement #Technology #Innovation

    NEWS

    • • Samsung Electronics Faces Foundry Spin-Off Dilemma: Will Lee Jae-yong Act in Time?
    • • Semiconductor Crisis, Legal and Legislative Risks Weigh on Samsung's Lee Jae-yong
• • 

  • CEO of Naver Corp.

    Choi Soo-yeon

    Choi Soo-yeon is the CEO of Naver. She is focusing on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into core businesses such as search, commerce, and content. She was born on November 3, 1981, in Gwangju Metropolitan City. She graduated from Gwangju Dongshin Girls’ High School and Seoul National University with a degree in Earth Environmental Systems Engineering. She also graduated from Yonsei University Law School and completed the LLM program at Harvard Law School. She passed the first bar exam in Korea, earning her lawyer qualification, and also holds a New York State bar license. She worked in the communication and marketing department at NHN and served as a corporate M&A and capital markets law specialist at Yulchon LLC. After rejoining Naver, she led the global business support division and was appointed CEO in 2022. #ChoiSooYeon #Naver #AIintegration #businessleadership #KoreanCEOs #HarvardLaw #YonseiLaw #technologybusiness #globalbusiness #corporateleadership

    NEWS

    • • Naver Launches AI-Powered, Same-Day Delivery Shopping App—E-commerce Battle Heats Up Against Coupang
    • • Following Kakao, Naver Forms Majority Union – Choi Soo-yeon Faces Backlash Over Labor Cost Efficiency
• • 

  • Chairman of Woori Financial Group

    Yim Jong-ryong

    Yim Jong-ryong is the Chairman and CEO of Woori Financial Group. He is working to restore customer trust damaged by financial incidents within Woori Financial Group and is strengthening the group's non-banking portfolio. He was born on August 3, 1959, in Boseong, South Jeolla Province. He graduated from Youngdong High School in Seoul and earned a degree in Economics from Yonsei University. He pursued a master's program in Public Administration at Seoul National University's Graduate School of Public Administration and obtained a master's degree in Economics from Oregon State University. He entered public service by passing the 24th Administrative Examination. He served in various roles at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, including as Director of the Banking System Division, Securities System Division, Comprehensive Policy Division, and Financial Policy Bureau, and worked as an Economic Secretary in the Presidential Office. After serving as the first Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, he concluded his public service career as Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office. He returned to public service as Chairman of NH NongHyup Financial Group and later as Chairman of the Financial Services Commission. He also served as a Special Professor at Yonsei University's Graduate School of Economics and as an Advisor at Yulchon LLC before being appointed Chairman of Woori Financial Group in 2023. He is known for his outstanding mediation skills, earning him the nickname "Zhuge Liang of Finance." #YimJongryong #WooriFinancialGroup #finance #SouthKorea #economicpolicy #publicservice #nonbankingportfolio #customertrust #NHNongHyup #financialleadership

    NEWS

    • • Woori Financial Group’s Board Reshuffle—Pressure Mounts on Yim Jong-ryong with One Year Left
    • • Woori Financial Group Braces for FSS Inspection, Yim Jong-ryong’s Expansion at Risk
• • 

  • Vice Chairman of LG Chem

    Shin Hak-cheol

    Shin Hak-cheol is the Vice Chairman and CEO of LG Chem. He is focusing his efforts on strengthening LG Chem’s non-petrochemical businesses, such as battery materials, eco-friendly materials, and global new drug development, with the goal of transforming LG Chem into a "top global science company." Born on August 18, 1957, in a farming family in Goesan, Chungcheongbuk-do, Shin graduated from Cheongju High School. He began his career as an engineer at Poongsan Metal Corporation before graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After moving to 3M Korea, he worked in the Philippines branch and later at 3M’s U.S. headquarters. Shin started at 3M as a junior employee and rose to become Executive Vice President overseeing 3M’s global business, earning the nickname "innovation evangelist." Shin was recruited as Vice Chairman and CEO of LG Chem when LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo took office, and he began his second term as CEO in 2022. He is the first external professional executive to lead LG Chem. Shin emphasizes "leadership based on fundamentals and principles" and prioritizes hands-on field management. Since 2024, he has been focusing on fostering three new growth engines: battery materials, eco-friendly materials, and pharmaceuticals. He highlights innovation, learning, communication, and debate as essential qualities of leadership. #ShinHakcheol #LGChem #LGGroup #batterymaterials #ecofriendlymaterials #pharmaceuticals #leadership #Koreanbusiness #innovation #globalexpansion #professionalCEO

    NEWS

    • • LG Chem Trapped in a Slump—Can Shin Hak-cheol Find a Breakthrough?
    • • LG Chem Faces Growing Petrochemical Downturn, Shin Hak-cheol Accelerates High-Value Material Strategy