KoreaWho - Biographical and news service about individuals who have a significant impact on the Korean economy

- CEO of Intekplus
  Lee Sang-yoon
  
  Lee Sang-yoon is the CEO of Intekplus. He is focused on restoring profitability and establishing a stable foundation for growth by concentrating the company’s capabilities on semiconductor inspection equipment. He was born on July 23, 1967. He graduated from Kyunggi High School in Seoul and the Department of Mechanical Design at Seoul National University. He earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the graduate school of Seoul National University and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology). In 1998, he joined Intek Engineering, the predecessor of Intekplus, as a senior researcher. After serving as head of the research institute and chief technology officer (CTO), he was appointed CEO in 2015. He took over management control after founder Lim Ssang-keun transferred most of his stake and retired. #LeeSangyoon #Intekplus #semiconductor #inspectionequipment #semiconductorequipment #profitability #businessgrowth #engineering #KAIST #corporategovernance
- CEO of Kolon Life Science
  Lee Han-kuk
  
  Lee Han-kuk is vice president and CEO of Kolon Life Science. He is focusing on the commercialization of TG-C in Asia and strengthening the global competitiveness of next-generation pipelines. He is also working to improve profitability in the bio and chemical divisions and advance an ESG-based sustainable management system. He was born on October 17, 1973. He graduated from the Department of Chemistry at Yonsei University and earned a master’s degree in chemistry from the university’s graduate school. He worked at Daewoong Bio and Daewoong Pharmaceutical. At Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s U.S. branch, he was responsible for active pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis, overseas regulatory affairs, and business development. He then moved to U.S. biotechnology company Autotelic as vice president of regulatory affairs. He joined Kuhnil Pharmaceutical and served in positions including head of the Medical Division and head of the R&D Division. He led the European approval of Rosumega, a treatment for dyslipidemia, and was appointed CEO in 2022. In 2026, he was recruited as CEO of Kolon Life Science. He is a biotechnology management expert who has worked at a wide range of pharmaceutical companies in Korea and abroad. He has extensive experience in approvals, regulatory affairs, and business development. #LeeHan-kuk #KolonLifeScience #TGC #biotechnology #pharmaceuticals #regulatoryaffairs #businessdevelopment #drugapproval #ESG #sustainablemanagement
- Chair of the Yonsei University Foundation and Honorary Chairman of GS Caltex
  Hur Dong-soo
  
  Hur Dong-soo is the chair of the Yonsei University Foundation. He also serves as honorary chairman of GS Caltex. He is focusing on strengthening Yonsei University’s educational and research capabilities and expanding its financial foundation to elevate its status as one of Asia’s leading private universities. Hur was born on July 13, 1943, according to the lunar calendar, in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. He is the second son of Hur Jung-koo, the late honorary chairman of Samyang International. He graduated from Bosung High School in Seoul and Yonsei University with a degree in chemical engineering. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin in the United States. After working at the Chevron Research Laboratory, he joined GS Caltex. He was appointed president and CEO in 1994. He was inducted into the Korea Business Administration Society’s “Korea Business Hall of Fame.” He established the GS Caltex Foundation and has continued to support culture and the arts. He also served as chairman of the Community Chest of Korea. #HurDongsoo #YonseiUniversity #GSCaltex #YonseiUniversityFoundation #PrivateUniversity #Education #Research #GSCaltexFoundation #CultureAndArts #CommunityChestOfKorea
- Chairman and CEO of LTC
  Choi Ho-sung
  
  Choi Ho-sung is the chairman and CEO of LTC. He was born on April 4, 1967, in Buan, North Jeolla Province. He graduated from Namsung High School in Iksan and the Department of Chemistry at Korea University. He received a master’s degree in chemistry from Korea University Graduate School. He entered the electronic materials field while working as a senior researcher at Dongwoo Fine-Chem. He later moved to Duksung, where he served as head of the Electronic Materials Business Division, before being appointed CEO of Liquid Technology. In 2007, he founded LTC. He is focusing on transforming LTC from a company specializing solely in display materials into a corporate group that supplies both semiconductor materials and equipment. #ChoiHosung #LTC #semiconductormaterials #semiconductorequipment #displaymaterials #electronicmaterials #DongwooFineChem #LiquidTechnology #Koreatechnologyindustry #semiconductorindustry The opening phrase “최호성Choi Ho-sung은” contains the Korean and English names joined together, which appears to be a typographical error.
- CEO of LigaChem Biosciences
  Park Se-jin
  
  Park Se-jin is the CEO of LigaChem Biosciences. He is accelerating efforts to transform the company into a global biopharmaceutical firm by directly conducting late-stage clinical trials for its core antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) pipelines. He was born on March 2, 1962. He graduated from Korea University with a degree in economics and completed an MBA program at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of Business. He worked as head of planning and human resources at the LG Chem Research Park. He later held a research and development management position at LG BMI, LG Chem’s research subsidiary in the United States, and served as head of strategic planning at the LG Chem Research Park and as a team leader in the Imaging Materials Business Division. In 2006, he co-founded LigaChem Biosciences. He transformed the technology-focused LigaChem Biosciences into a commercially oriented biotechnology company. He is an expert in finance and strategy. He takes a strong interest in employee compensation. #ParkSejin #LigaChemBiosciences #ADC #antibodydrugconjugate #biotechnology #clinicaltrials #globalbiopharma #LGChem #corporatestrategy #employeecompensation
- Vice Chairman and CEO of SL
  Lee Sung-yup
  
  Lee Sung-yup is the vice chairman and CEO of SL. He is focusing on expanding the company’s business into future mobility sectors, including electrification and robotics. He was born on November 18, 1970, in Daegu as the eldest of two sons and one daughter of SL Chairman Lee Choong-kon. He majored in economics at the University of Wisconsin in the United States and completed an MBA program at Drexel University’s business school. He worked at WiseDB and Hyundai Securities. He later joined Samlip Industrial, now SL, and received management training. He was appointed CEO in 2006 and promoted to vice chairman in 2021. He has achieved results in expanding the company’s lamp-centered business structure into electrification and robotics while broadening its global customer base. #LeeSungyup #SL #futuremobility #electrification #robotics #automotivelamps #globalcustomers #mobilitybusiness #managementleadership #automotiveindustry
- President and CEO of Leeno Industrial
  Lee Chae-yoon
  
  Lee Chae-yoon is the president and CEO of Leeno Industrial. He is focusing on expanding production capacity through the construction of a new plant in Eco Delta City. He is also working to resolve governance uncertainties caused by growing speculation over a possible sale of management control. He was born in Busan on August 6, 1950. He graduated from Busan Gwangseong Technical High School, now Kyungsung Electronic High School. He began his career at Goldstar, now LG Electronics. In 1978, he founded Leeno Industrial, then known as Leeno Industrial Company. He served as chairman of the Busan Federation of Inter-Industry Exchange Associations, vice chairman of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and chairman of the Busan Regional Innovation Council. He places importance on communication and operations in the field. #LeeChaeyoon #LeenoIndustrial #semiconductor #semiconductortesting #productioncapacity #EcoDeltaCity #corporategovernance #Busan #entrepreneur #manufacturing
- Chairman of Iljin Group
  Huh Chin-kyu
  
  Huh Chin-kyu is chairman of Iljin Group. After completing the management succession to his children, including his eldest son Huh Jung-suk, vice chairman and CEO of Iljin Holdings, as the group transitioned to a holding company structure, he has taken on the role of drawing the group’s broader vision. He was born on December 1, 1940, in Bugok-ri, Boan-myeon, Buan County, North Jeolla Province, as the youngest of seven brothers. He graduated from Jeonju High School and Seoul National University with a degree in metallurgical engineering. He joined Korea Rolling Stock Manufacturing. After leaving when the company went bankrupt, he founded Iljin Metal Industries, now Iljin Electric. Through a series of business launches and mergers and acquisitions involving Iljin Light Metal, now Iljin Steel; Iljin Materials Industry, later Iljin Materials; Iljin Diamond; Iljin Unisco; Jeonju Television; Iljin Display; and -Vimed, now Alpinion Medical Systems, he pioneered materials and components businesses in a wide range of fields, including power infrastructure, information technology, construction, lighting and biotechnology. He became chairman of Iljin Group in 1984. Through his “management with unwavering determination,” he succeeded in localizing materials such as aluminum-clad steel wire, industrial diamonds and elecfoil, or copper foil. He places great importance on management at worksites and actively communicates with employees. He has a deep affection for engineering and takes pride in having studied engineering. He served as chairman of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. #HuhChinkyu #IljinGroup #IljinHoldings #KoreanEntrepreneur #MaterialsIndustry #ComponentManufacturing #TechnologyLocalization #EngineeringLeadership #BusinessSuccession #IndustrialInnovation
- Sampyo Group Chairman
  Chung Do-won
  
  Chung Do-won is chairman of Sampyo Group and Sampyo Cement. He is the father-in-law of Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun. He is working to establish a foundation for the group’s long-term growth through a development project at the former ready-mixed concrete plant site in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. He was born in Seoul on March 22, 1947, as the second son of the late Chung In-wook, former chairman of Kangwon Industries. He graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul and studied metallurgy at the University of Wisconsin in the United States. He began receiving management training after joining Kangwon Industries as a director. He became president in 1989 and, after the company completed its workout program, changed its name to Sampyo in 2004 and became chairman of Sampyo. During the Asian financial crisis, he completed the workout program of Kangwon Industries, now Sampyo Industry, in four years through business restructuring. He acquired Tongyang Cement, now Sampyo Cement, completing the vertical integration of the group’s ready-mixed concrete business. He is facing several trials on charges including unfairly supporting a company owned by his eldest son ahead of a management succession and violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in connection with a series of fatal workplace accidents. #ChungDo-won #SampyoGroup #SampyoCement #ChungEui-sun #SeongsuDevelopment #ReadyMixedConcrete #TongyangCement #BusinessRestructuring #ManagementSuccession #SeriousAccidentsPunishmentAct
  NEWS
  - • Sampyo Group Advances as Real Estate Developer, Chung Do-won Focuses on Seongsu-dong This Year
- Chairman and CEO of DI Dong-il
  Suh Tae-won
  
  Suh Tae-won is the Chairman and CEO of DI Dong-il. He was born on September 6, 1974, as the eldest son of Suh Min-suk, honorary chairman of DI Dong-il. He majored in communications at Boston College in the United States. He worked in the planning office at On-Media before joining Dong-il Textile, now DI Dong-il, in 2008. He received management training while working in key administrative departments, including finance, purchasing and corporate strategy, and was promoted to executive director overseeing the Corporate Strategy Office in 2010. After serving as vice president of Dong-il Textile, he moved to the forefront of the group’s management and was appointed President and CEO of DI Dong-il in 2019. He became Chairman and CEO in March 2026. He completed the merger of Dong-il Aluminum into DI Dong-il to develop the aluminum foil business for rechargeable batteries into a future growth engine and is expanding investment in materials for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and energy storage systems (ESS). He serves as chairman of the Korea Textile Trade Association. #SuhTaewon #DIDongil #DongilAluminum #aluminumfoil #rechargeablebatteries #LFPbatteries #energystoragesystems #ESSmaterials #textileindustry #businessleadership

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