KOREA WHO

Profile

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  • Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group

    Chung Eui-sun

    Chung Eui-sun is the Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. He is focusing his efforts on transforming Hyundai Motor Group into a comprehensive smart mobility solutions company, encompassing areas such as urban air mobility (UAM) and autonomous driving. He is also working to expand the hydrogen ecosystem. Born on October 18, 1970, in Seoul, he is the eldest son among three daughters and one son of Chung Mong-koo, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. He graduated from Gujeong Middle School and Whimoon High School in Seoul. He earned a degree in Business Administration from Korea University and completed an MBA program at the University of San Francisco (USF) School of Management in the United States. He began his career as a manager at Hyundai Precision Industry (now Hyundai Mobis), and after studying in the U.S., he worked at the New York office of Itochu Corporation, a Japanese trading company, before joining Hyundai Motor Company as Head of Purchasing. He served as Deputy Head of Domestic Sales Division at Hyundai Motor and as Deputy Head of Corporate Planning at Hyundai-Kia Motors. In 2005, he was appointed President and CEO of Kia Motors. After serving as Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor, he was promoted to Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group in 2020. He was officially designated as the group’s ultimate decision-maker. During his time as CEO of Kia, he led a “design-oriented management” strategy, and at Hyundai Motor, he brought a new atmosphere by actively recruiting foreign executives. He is also tasked with maintaining profitability in response to the Trump administration’s automobile tariffs. He is known for being modest and humble, and he communicates with employees with an open attitude. #Hyundai #ChungEuisun #mobility #UAM #autonomousdriving #hydrogen #Kia #HyundaiMobis #designmanagement #automotivetariffs

    NEWS

    • • Chung Eui-sun’s Robotics and Autonomous Driving Ambitions Hit Union Roadblock
    • • Hyundai’s First Supercar N74 Set to Debut Next Year
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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

    NEWS

    • • JB Financial’s Longest-Serving CEO Thrives on Earnings, But Lacks Diversification
    • • JB Financial's Kim Ki-hong Secures Third Term; Regulatory Pressure and Internal Opposition Remain Hurdles
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  • CEO of AliExpress Korea

    Zhang Rui

    Ray Zhang (Zhang Rui) is the CEO of AliExpress Korea. He has been strengthening AliExpress’s presence in the Korean market through a Korean-style localization strategy and the “K-Venue” initiative. He was born in China on February 21, 1988. He graduated from Fudan University with a degree in electronic engineering and earned a master’s degree in software engineering from the same university. He previously served as Director of the Data Operations Team at the Chinese startup Yuntu and as Business Management Director at the U.S. online shopping mall Newegg. He later joined China’s Alibaba Group, where he led the company’s Russian operations before being appointed CEO (Head of Korea Office) of AliExpress Korea in 2018. At the young age of 30, he took on the role of leading the Korean branch, dedicating the past seven years to expanding the commerce network and fostering young talent. He is also deeply interested in intellectual property rights and consumer protection. #AliExpress #Alibaba #RayZhang #ZhangRui #ecommerce #KVenue #localization #FudanUniversity #crossbordertrade #Korea

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  • President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea

    Mathias Vaitl

    Mathias Vaitl is the President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea. He majored in Automotive Industry and International Management at Nürtingen-Geislingen University in Germany. He began his career with Mercedes-Benz as a Dealer Network Manager at Daimler AG’s Czech subsidiary. At Daimler AG headquarters, he worked in Global Business Management, served as Project Leader for European Wholesale, and managed the Smart brand. He later moved to Mercedes-Benz China, where he oversaw Organizational Training and Dealer Certification, before returning to Germany to serve as Head of After-Sales Sales and Product Management, Head of Global Training, and Head of Mercedes-Benz Digital Services and E-Commerce. He was appointed President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea in September 2023. Having accumulated diverse experience in digital services, sales, customer service, and network development across Germany, China, and the Czech Republic, he is regarded as a global strategist in the automotive industry. Vaitl now faces the dual challenge of generating new premium demand for Mercedes-Benz while fully restoring consumer trust shaken by the 2024 electric vehicle fire incident. #MercedesBenz #MathiasVaitl #automotive #Germany #Korea #EV #luxurycars #digitaltransformation #strategy #leadership

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  • CEO of Hanwha Aerospace

    Son Jae-il

    Son Jae-il is the CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems. He is leading the integration of Hanwha Group’s land, sea, and air defense businesses. He is focusing on securing defense export contracts and building local production facilities to expand global sales. He was born in Daegu on March 5, 1965. He graduated from Yeongjin High School in Daegu and majored in Business Administration at Korea University. He began his career at Korea Explosives (now Hanwha) and has since worked exclusively within the Hanwha Group. He served as Executive Director of Hanwha’s Explosives Division and Managing Director of Hanwha Techwin’s Defense Business Division before being appointed CEO of Hanwha Land Systems in 2017. In 2020, he became CEO of Hanwha Defense, the unit overseeing Hanwha Group’s entire defense business, solidifying his reputation as a defense industry expert. He was appointed CEO of Hanwha Aerospace in 2022 and CEO of Hanwha Systems in 2024. He also serves as President of the Korea Space Technology Promotion Association. #SonJaeil #HanwhaAerospace #HanwhaSystems #HanwhaGroup #defenseindustry #Koreandefense #spacetechnology #KoreanCEOs #armsintegration #defenseexports

    NEWS

    • • Hanwha Aerospace Hires Pentagon Veterans, Speeds U.S. Entry With Wheeled K9
    • • Hanwha Aerospace Set to Surpass KRW 1 Trillion in Operating Profit as CEO Son Jae-il Accelerates Defense Growth
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  • CEO & President of SK Chemicals

    Ahn Jae-hyun

    Ahn Jae-hyun ("안재현" in Korean) is the President and CEO of SK Chemicals. He leads SK Chemicals jointly with CEO Kim Cheol. He is accelerating SK Chemicals’ transition toward “green chemicals.” He was born on February 2, 1966. He graduated from Yeouido High School in Seoul and studied Applied Statistics at Yonsei University. He later earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He began his career at Daewoo Group, where he headed the New York office of Daewoo Securities for four years until the firm was sold off during the IMF financial crisis. He later joined SK Group, where he served as project leader at the SK Restructuring Headquarters. In 2004, he was appointed CEO of SK D&D. He held key leadership roles in SK E&C (now SK Ecoplant), including Head of Global Marketing, and in SK Gas as Head of Management Support. He went on to serve as CEO of Global Biz, overseeing SK E&C’s overseas business. In 2019, he was appointed President and CEO of SK E&C and was reappointed to the position. In 2022, he became CEO of SK Discovery, and in 2023, he was appointed President and CEO of SK Chemicals. He is known for his bold personality and decisiveness. He is friendly and approachable with junior staff, even offering cigarettes in casual conversation. #SKChemicals #AhnJaehyun #greenchemicals #SKgroup #leadership #WhartonMBA #corporatereform #SKDiscovery #SKDND #SKecoplant

    NEWS

    • • SK Chemicals Taps Subsidiary Stake to Fund Green Transition
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  • Chairman of L&F

    Heo Jae-hong

    Heo Jae-hong is the Chairman of the Board at L&F. He was born on November 24, 1976, to Heo Jeon-su, who was then Chairman of Saeronix. He graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in chemical engineering and earned a master’s in the same field from the University of Southern California (USC). He worked at the LG Philips LCD Research Center before joining the research division of L&F. He later moved to Saeronix and was appointed CEO in 2010 after his father’s passing. In 2018, he became CEO of L&F. In 2021, after L&F adopted a professional management system, he took on the roles of executive director and Chairman of the Board. He also serves as CEO of affiliates such as Wuxi Guangming Future Materials Co., Ltd. and JH Materials (formerly Sanko Korea). A fourth-generation member of the GS family, he rarely makes public appearances.

    NEWS

    • • L&F’s Expanding Investments Deepen Heo Jae-hong’s Control Dilemma
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  • CEO of LG Energy Solution

    Kim Dong-myung

    I’ve refined the text to improve flow, grammar, and style while keeping all the details intact. Here’s the corrected version: Kim Dong-myung is the President and CEO of LG Energy Solution. He was born on June 30, 1969. He graduated from Wooshin High School in Seoul and earned a degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Yonsei University. He went on to receive both his master’s and doctoral degrees in Materials Engineering from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology). Kim began his career at LG Chem as a researcher at the Battery Research Institute, where he served as Head of the Assembly Technology Team, Head of the New Battery Applications Project Team, and Head of Polymer and Reliability Development at the Small Battery Development Center. He later became Head of Small Battery Product Planning and Head of the Small Battery Business Unit. In 2020, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and Head of the Automotive Battery Business Unit, after which he moved to LG Energy Solution following its spin-off. In March 2024, he was appointed President and CEO of LG Energy Solution. With a background as a researcher, Kim is recognized as an expert who has gained extensive experience not only in development but also in production, product planning, and all other aspects of the battery business. He also serves as Chairman of the Korea Battery Industry Association. #LG #LGEnergySolution #battery #EVbattery #SouthKorea #KAIST #YonseiUniversity #energystorage #automotiveindustry #KoreaBatteryIndustryAssociation

    NEWS

    • • LG Energy Solution Bets on Kim Dong-myung to Revive K-Batteries
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  • Vice Chairman and CEO of HD Hyundai

    Chung Ki-sun

    Chung Ki-sun is the Vice Chairman and CEO of HD Hyundai and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. He is leading efforts to respond to the shipping industry’s green transformation by securing technologies for decarbonized vessels, while striving to maintain a technological edge over Chinese shipbuilders. In the construction equipment sector, he is aiming to elevate the company to one of the top global players. He was born on May 3, 1982, in Seoul, the eldest son among two sons and two daughters of Chung Mong-joon, Chairman of the Asan Foundation. He graduated from Daewon Foreign Language High School and studied economics at Yonsei University. He later completed an MBA program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. After joining Hyundai Heavy Industries, he went to study in the U.S. and later worked at the Korean office of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He rejoined Hyundai Heavy Industries, where he served as head of the finance division and then as head of shipbuilding and offshore sales. In 2017, he became CEO of Hyundai Global Service. He also served as head of global shipbuilding and offshore sales at Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, and in 2022, he was appointed CEO of both HD Hyundai and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. In 2024, he was promoted to Vice Chairman. As a third-generation owner-CEO who rose quickly through the ranks to top leadership at a young age, his management and operational style is drawing close attention. #ChungKiSun #HDHyundai #shipbuilding #decarbonization #greenshipping #constructionequipment #StanfordMBA #HyundaiHeavyIndustries #SouthKoreaBusiness #youngCEOs

    NEWS

    • • HD Hyundai Bets Big with Unified Shipbuilding Push Against China
    • • Chung Ki-sun Nears Final Hurdle in HD Hyundai Succession — More Than a Golden Spoon?
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  • Executive Director of Hyundai Insurance

    Chung Kyung-sun

    Chung Kyung-sun is the Executive Director at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance. He has been involved in supporting social enterprises and social ventures, and it is expected that he will accelerate the management succession process at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance while strengthening its ESG activities, based on his prior experiences. Born on August 28, 1986, in Seoul, Chung graduated from Kyungbock High School and earned a degree in Business Administration from Korea University. He later completed an MBA at Columbia Business School in the United States. In 2012, leveraging his experience working at the Asan Nanum Foundation, a public welfare organization, he founded Root Impact, which supports social enterprises, nonprofit foundations, and social ventures. In 2014, he established the impact investment firm HGI. Since 2020, he has been a co-founder and managing partner at Silvan Group. In December 2023, Chung joined Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and Executive Director. In August 2024, he also took on the role of Chief Risk Officer. As of 2024, Chung serves on the advisory board of Rockefeller Asset Management, is the Chair of the Board at Communitas America, and is also a board member at the Resilient Cities Network. Though known for his introverted personality, he is also praised for his strong drive and determination. #ChungKyungSun #HyundaiMarine #ESG #RootImpact #HGI #ColumbiaMBA #socialventure #impactinvestment #corporatesustainability #resilientcities #managementsuccession

    NEWS

    • • Hyundai CSO Chung Kyung-sun Champions Social Value, Unveils Child Support Plan