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

- CEO and President of Lotte Rental
  Choi Jin-hwan
  
  Choi Jin-hwan is the CEO and president of Lotte Rental. He is focusing on raising corporate value by strengthening Lotte Rental’s core business competitiveness and expanding new businesses. He was born on March 4, 1968, on the solar calendar, in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Gyeongju High School and Seoul National University’s Department of Economics. He began his career at Korea Long Term Credit Bank. He worked as a consultant at global consulting firms A.T. Kearney and Bain & Company. He moved to Hyundai Capital and served as head of the Strategic Planning Division, with the rank of executive vice president. In 2012, he was chosen as CEO of the newly launched Hyundai Life Insurance, also with the rank of executive vice president. He later served as CEO and president of ADT Caps. After SK Telecom acquired ADT Caps, he worked as head of the Media Platform Division at SK Telecom and was appointed CEO and president of its subsidiary SK Broadband. In March 2023, he was recruited as CEO of Lotte Rental. He is working to boldly reorganize sluggish businesses and transform the company into a data-based mobility platform. He served as chairman of the Korea Intelligent IoT Association. #ChoiJinHwan #LotteRental #CEO #mobility #rentalbusiness #corporatevalue #HyundaiCapital #SKBroadband #ADTCaps #mobilityplatform
- CEO of Samyang Biopharm
  Kim Kyung-jin
  
  Kim Kyung-jin is the CEO of Samyang Biopharm. He is focusing on advancing the proprietary drug delivery platform SENS while accelerating expansion into the global market with key products such as sutures and anticancer drugs. He was born on July 29, 1963. He graduated from Sogang University with a degree in chemistry, earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Sogang University Graduate School, and received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Texas A&M University in the United States. He worked as a researcher for 15 years at the Nutley Research Center of Swiss global pharmaceutical company Roche in the United States. He later moved to ST Pharm, where he served as head of the Synthetic Research Division 1 and head of the research institute. He was appointed CEO in 2017. He joined the Samyang Group as head of the Biopharm Group under Samyang Biopharm (then the pharmaceutical and bio division of Samyang Holdings) and was appointed co-CEO of Samyang Holdings in March 2025. In November 2025, he assumed the role of CEO of Samyang Biopharm, which had been spun off again. He has a background as a researcher at a global big pharma company. He is decisive. #SamyangBiopharm #KimKyungjin #Biopharmaceuticals #DrugDeliveryPlatform #SENS #GlobalPharma #Roche #STPharm #AnticancerDrugs #BiotechLeadership
- Chairwoman of Hyundai Group
  Hyun Jeong-eun
  
  Hyun Jeong-eun is the chairwoman of Hyundai Group. She is speeding up efforts to transform Hyundai Group into a company centered on advanced industries amid the global trend of artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. Although the possibility of resuming inter-Korean businesses such as Mount Kumgang tourism and the Kaesong Industrial Complex is slim, she is preparing to play a leading role if they restart. She was born in Seoul on January 26, 1955, as the second of four daughters of former Hyundai Merchant Marine Chairman Hyun Young-won and former Yongmoon Educational Foundation Chairwoman Kim Moon-hee. She graduated from Gyeonggi Girls’ Middle School, Gyeonggi Girls’ High School, and the Department of Sociology at Ewha Womans University. She received a master’s degree in sociology from the graduate school of Ewha Womans University and a master’s degree in human development from the graduate school of Fairleigh Dickinson University in the United States. After marrying Chung Mong-hun, chairman of Hyundai Group, she lived as a homemaker. In 2003, after Chung’s death, she became chairwoman of Hyundai Elevator, which served as the holding company of Hyundai Group after it was spun off from the broader Hyundai family, and rose to the position of Hyundai Group chairwoman. In 2023, she stepped down as chair of the board of directors and inside director of Hyundai Elevator. Hyundai Group has separated ownership and management, with professional managers leading its operations. She moved beyond the shadows of her father-in-law, Hyundai Group Honorary Chairman Chung Ju-yung, and her husband, Hyundai Group Chairman Chung Mong-hun, to build “Hyun Jeong-eun’s Hyundai Group.” She went through several management control disputes, but did not waver and chose to confront them head-on. At a time when inter-Korean business had stalled because of political interests, she visited North Korea herself to resolve the issue, earning a reputation as a “strong-willed dealmaker.” She has decisiveness and drive. She also serves as an unregistered executive at affiliate Hyundai Elevator and as an inside director at Hyundai Asan and Hyundai Movex. #HyunJeong-eun #HyundaiGroup #HyundaiElevator #HyundaiAsan #HyundaiMovex #AITransformation #AdvancedIndustries #InterKoreanBusiness #MountKumgangTourism #KaesongIndustrialComplex
- President of Kbank
  Choi Woo-hyoung
  
  Choi Woo-hyoung is the president of Kbank. He is seeking future growth engines in the corporate finance market after completing Kbank’s initial public offering (IPO). He was born on January 25, 1966. He graduated from Kyungdong High School in Seoul and Seoul National University’s Department of Economics. He received a master’s degree in financial management from Seoul National University Graduate School of Business. After passing the certified public accountant exam, he began his career at Hana Bank. After working at Accenture, he served as a development team leader at Samsung SDS and as an executive director for financial business development at IBM Korea. He joined Kyongnam Bank as assistant vice president and head of the Digital Finance Division. After BNK Financial Group acquired Kyongnam Bank, he concurrently served as head of the Digital and IT Division at BNK Financial Group and assistant vice president and head of the D-IT Group at Kyongnam Bank. He was appointed president of Kbank in 2024. He was reappointed in 2026. He is a digital finance expert who values practicality and communication. #ChoiWooHyoung #Kbank #digitalfinance #IPO #corporatefinance #HanaBank #SamsungSDS #IBMKorea #BNKFinancialGroup #banking
  NEWS
  - • Kbank’s Final Hurdle: Choi Must Fix Board to Become Real Bank
  - • Kbank’s Third IPO Attempt Faces Political Risks: Choi Woo-hyoung Weighs Timing Carefully
- CEO and President of Young Poong
  Kim Ki-ho
  
  Kim Ki-ho is CEO and President of Young Poong. He also serves as head of the Seokpo Smelter. He is focusing on restoring profitability by normalizing the profit structure of the company’s core business. He was born in October 1962. He graduated from Wooshin High School in Seoul and Seoul National University’s Department of Business Administration. He completed an MBA program at Northeastern University’s Graduate School of Business in the United States. He worked at Daewoo Motor and Sampyo E&C. He later joined SM Group as head of the Management Support Division and was appointed CEO of SM Steel, formerly Shin Kwang, in 2017. In 2025, he was recruited as head and president of Young Poong’s Seokpo Smelter and was appointed CEO just two months later. He took the helm at one of the most difficult moments in Young Poong’s history, facing both “a management dispute that broke a 75-year partnership” and “the survival crisis of the Seokpo Smelter.” Note: The Korean phrase “회복에데” appears to be a typo and likely means “회복에.” #KimKiho #YoungPoong #SeokpoSmelter #CEO #KoreanBusiness #ManagementDispute #SmeltingIndustry #ProfitabilityRecovery #SMSteel #CorporateLeadership
- CEO of Kakao Games
  Han Sang-woo
  
  Han Sang-woo is the CEO of Kakao Games. He faces the task of turning around the company’s performance amid sluggish results from new game releases. He was born on March 22, 1971. He graduated from Chungnam National University with a degree in business administration. He joined Neowiz Games, where he handled business development. He served as head of the company’s Chinese subsidiary and as head of its global business division. He founded mobile game company Ina Games and served as its COO. He later moved to Tencent and was appointed CEO of Tencent Korea. He joined Kakao Games and served as Chief Strategy Officer, head of the overseas business division, and senior vice president of the overseas business division before being appointed CEO in March 2024. He is an expert in the Chinese and global game markets. The company is set to be incorporated into LY Corporation.
  NEWS
  - • Han Sang-woo Faces Tough Year at Kakao Games; Hopes on Upcoming Titles
  - • Shaking Off Slump, Kakao Games CEO Han Sang-woo Focuses on Global Expansion in Second Year
- Presidential Chief of Staff
  Kang Hoon-sik
  
  Kang Hoon-sik is the Presidential Chief of Staff in the Lee Jae-myung government. He is focusing on assisting President Lee Jae-myung so that state affairs remain steady by responding swiftly to changes in the international order and domestic political conditions. He was born on October 24, 1973, in Onyang-eup, Asan County, South Chungcheong Province, as the eldest son among one son and one daughter. He graduated from Daejeon Myeongseok High School and Konkuk University’s Department of Management Information Systems. He took part in the student movement as president of the Konkuk University student council. In 2000, he founded a clothing company. He entered politics after being recruited by former Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-kyu, and ran in the 18th National Assembly election but lost. After three attempts, he was elected as a National Assembly member for the Asan B constituency in South Chungcheong Province in the 20th National Assembly election, and won third-term reelection in the same constituency in 2020 and 2024. In 2022, he ran for party leader but withdrew two weeks before the national convention. He served as head of the general situation room at the Central Election Campaign Committee for the 21st presidential election, and in June 2025, he was appointed Presidential Chief of Staff to President Lee Jae-myung. He is responding quickly to global affairs, including the U.S.-Iran war and Canadian defense issues, in his capacity as a special envoy. #KangHoonSik #LeeJaeMyung #PresidentialChiefOfStaff #SouthKoreaPolitics #Asan #KonkukUniversity #NationalAssembly #DemocraticParty #SpecialEnvoy #GlobalAffairs
- Minister of Planning and Budget
  Park Hong-keun
  
  Park Hong-keun is the Minister of Planning and Budget under the Lee Jae-myung administration. He oversees national fiscal operations and budget planning, seeking a balance between expansionary fiscal policy and fiscal soundness amid multiple crises such as high oil prices and inflation triggered by the Middle East conflict. He was born on October 8, 1969, in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. He graduated from Suncheon Hyocheon High School and the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Kyung Hee University, and received a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Graduate School of Public Administration at Kyung Hee University. While serving as president of the student council at Kyung Hee University, he participated in the student movement. As acting chair of the National Association of Student Councils (Jeondaehyup), he led a campaign to defeat candidates from the Democratic Liberal Party. When the Uri Party was dissolved and integration efforts were underway among Democratic Party-affiliated groups, he was in charge of youth affairs at the Future Creation Alliance, a representative civil society organization. He entered politics within the Democratic Party camp while serving as a spokesperson for the United New Democratic Party. He served as a four-term National Assembly member representing Jungnang-eul in Seoul. He also held positions such as senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party and head of the Euljiro Committee. He built his capabilities in budget and policy coordination while serving as secretary and chair of the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, as well as senior deputy floor leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party. He is regarded as having strong negotiation skills and drive. #ParkHongkeun #LeeJaeMyungGovernment #KoreanPolitics #BudgetPolicy #FiscalStrategy #NationalAssembly #DemocraticParty #PublicAdministration #EconomicPolicy #PoliticalLeadership
- CEO of SK Oceanplant
  Kang Young-gyu
  
  Kang Young-gyu is the CEO and president of SK Oceanplant. He is leading the company’s leap forward as a “total marine solutions company” covering offshore wind substructures, offshore plants and naval vessel MRO businesses. Through this, he is focusing on raising the value of the company ahead of its sale. He was born on January 17, 1966. He graduated from Pusan National University with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked at LG Electronic Components, now LG Innotek. After working at Hyundai Heavy Industries, he served at Samsung Heavy Industries as head of the Offshore Business Division and head of the Technology Development Division. He joined SK Oceanplant as head of business operations and was appointed CEO in March 2026. He is an expert in offshore and shipbuilding businesses. Over 30 years at Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries, he built leadership experience spanning development and business operations. #KangYounggyu #SKOceanplant #CEO #offshorewind #offshoreplant #navalMRO #marineSolutions #shipbuilding #HyundaiHeavyIndustries #SamsungHeavyIndustries
- CEO of Hyundai Glovis
  Lee Kyoo-bok
  
  Lee Kyoo-bok is the CEO and president of Hyundai Glovis. He is focusing his capabilities on increasing corporate value by introducing new technologies and expanding global logistics hubs. He was born on April 25, 1968, in Busan. He graduated from Nakdong High School in Busan and Seoul National University with a degree in economics. He joined Hyundai Motor and worked as head of the France sales subsidiary, chief financial officer (CFO) of the production subsidiary in the Americas, and head of Hyundai Motor’s Process Innovation Business Division. In 2023, he was appointed CEO of Hyundai Glovis. At Hyundai Motor Group, he laid the foundation for a profitability-focused regional management system overseas. He is an expert in strategic planning. #LeeKyoo-bok #HyundaiGlovis #CEO #HyundaiMotorGroup #globalLogistics #corporateValue #newTechnology #strategicPlanning #regionalManagement #logisticsHubs

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