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

- Chairman of ESTsoft
  Kim Jang-joong
  
  Kim Jang-joong is the Chairman of ESTsoft. He also serves as the CEO of its subsidiary, ESTgames. He is focusing his efforts on AI business development. He was born in Seoul on January 15, 1972. He graduated from Inheon High School and earned a degree in Applied Mathematics from Hanyang University ERICA Campus. He also completed the Strategic Venture Management program at Hanyang University Graduate School of Business. In 1993, while still a university student, he founded ESTsoft with his friends. He established ESTsoft as a specialized software development company by launching the file compression program "ALZip," the graphic viewer "ALSee," and the security program "ALYac." He operates the internet portal "ZUM." As a first-generation entrepreneur in South Korea’s IT industry, he is dedicated to transforming ESTsoft from a security and utility software company into an AI-focused enterprise. #ESTsoft #KimJangJoong #AIbusiness #softwaredevelopment #KoreanITindustry #ventureentrepreneur #technology #cybersecurity #businessleadership #startups
- CEO of Kumyang Green Power
  Lee Yun-cheol
  
  Lee Yun-cheol is the CEO of Kumyang Green Power. As the second-generation owner, he has been managing Kumyang Green Power following his late father, former CEO Lee Sang-jun. He is focusing on shifting the company's core business from traditional electrical construction to renewable energy. He was born on October 10, 1958, in Ulsan. He graduated from Korea Maritime and Ocean University with a degree in Marine Engineering. After working as a ship engineer at SK Shipping, he joined Kumyang Industrial Development (now Kumyang Green Power), which was founded by his father. In 1998, he was appointed CEO of Kumyang Industrial Development. Since 2021, he has served as the chairman of the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also a vice chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. #LeeYuncheol #KumyangGreenPower #renewableenergy #SouthKorea #Ulsan #CEO #marineengineering #businessleader #KCCI #SKShipping
- CEO of Hyundai Mobis
  Lee Gyu-suk
  
  Lee Gyu-suk is the President and CEO of Hyundai Mobis. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hyundai Mobis. He is focused on expanding orders from global automakers and enhancing competitiveness in eco-friendly and future vehicle components. He was born on August 12, 1965. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Business Administration and earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the Seoul National University Graduate School. He joined Hyundai Motor Company and held positions at Hyundai Motor and Kia, including Head of Purchasing Division 1, Head of Interior and Electrical Components Purchasing, Head of Purchasing Strategy, and Head of Purchasing Division 1. He oversaw purchasing at Hyundai Motor and Kia as Head of the Purchasing Headquarters before being appointed as the CEO of Hyundai Mobis in 2023. As a leading purchasing expert in Hyundai Motor Group, he spearheaded the establishment of a system for the timely procurement of key strategic materials. #HyundaiMobis #LeeGyuSuk #automotive #purchasing #HyundaiMotorGroup #Kia #futuremobility #supplychain #businessleader #SouthKorea
- Vice Chairman of Lotte Shopping
  Kim Sang-hyun
  
  Kim Sang-hyun is the Chief Executive Officer of Lotte Group’s Retail Division. He also serves as Vice Chairman and CEO of Lotte Shopping. He is the first externally appointed CEO to be recruited into Lotte Group’s Retail Division. He is focused on generating synergy among Lotte’s retail subsidiaries and strengthening the competitiveness of offline stores. He was born on April 20, 1963, in Seoul. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics. His first job was at JP Morgan. After one year, he moved to P&G, where he worked for 30 years. In 2003, he became the head of P&G Korea. He later served as President of P&G ASEAN, Vice President of P&G USA, and then moved to Homeplus as Vice Chairman and CEO. He also served as CEO of Dairy Farm Singapore. In February 2022, he joined Lotte Group and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Division and Vice Chairman and CEO of Lotte Shopping. He is expected to be the right person to help Lotte regain its former status as the top player in the retail industry. As a marketing expert with a strong global network, he emphasizes the importance of customers and on-the-ground operations. He values communication with employees. #KimSanghyun #LotteGroup #LotteShopping #retail #marketing #businessleader #P&G #Homeplus #globalbusiness #leadership
- CEO of Kakao
  Chung Shin-a
  
  Chung Shin-a is the CEO of Kakao. She is focused on resolving the legal risks surrounding the Kakao Group and restructuring its affiliates. She was born on February 28, 1975. She majored in French Language and Literature and Business Administration at Yonsei University and earned a master's degree in marketing from Yonsei University Graduate School of Business. She also completed an MBA program at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She worked at Boston Consulting Group and eBay before joining NHN. After moving to K Cube Ventures as an executive director, she was appointed co-CEO in 2018. She later joined Kakao as a non-executive director and took charge of business operations for the CA Council, Kakao’s affiliate coordination body. In 2024, she was appointed CEO of Kakao and also serves as acting chair of the company's Management Innovation Committee. She has expressed her commitment to driving growth by focusing on KakaoTalk and AI. #ChungShina #Kakao #CEO #businessleadership #technology #AI #KakaoTalk #management #corporatestrategy #startup
  NEWS
  - • Chung Shin-a Unveils Kakao’s AI Blueprint, Partners with OpenAI for Joint Products
  - • Kakao Unveils "Kanana", a Conversational AI Chatbot, Aiming for Hyper-Personalized AI Services
- Vice Chairman of Daewon Pharm
  Baek Seung-ryel
  
  Baek Seung-ryel is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Daewon Pharm. He leads the company under a co-CEO system alongside his nephew, Baek In-hwan, who serves as President and CEO. He was born on March 10, 1959, in Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do, as the second son of Baek Bu-hyeon, the founder of Daewon Pharm. His older brother is Baek Seung-ho, Chairman of Daewon Pharm. He graduated from Gyeonggi High School in Seoul and earned a degree in Agricultural Biology from Seoul National University. He then obtained a master's degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in Agriculture from Seoul National University Graduate School. He joined Daewon Pharm as a director, later serving as Executive Vice President before being appointed President and CEO in 2008. He expanded the company's business scope into health functional foods and cosmetics by acquiring Keukdong H Pharm and SD Biotechnologies. He is working to expand the company with the goal of becoming a comprehensive healthcare company with KRW 1 trillion (US$ 721.1 million) in annual revenue by 2025. #BaekSeungryel #DaewonPharm #pharmaceuticals #healthcare #businessgrowth #cosmetics #nutritionalsupplements #corporatemanagement #biotechnology #executiveleadership
- Founder of Rainbow Robotics
  Oh Jun-ho
  
  Oh Jun-ho is the founder of Rainbow Robotics. With Rainbow Robotics becoming a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, he also serves as the head and advisor of Samsung Electronics' Future Robot Development Team. He was born on October 3, 1954, in Seoul. He graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in mechanical engineering and earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Yonsei University Graduate School. He obtained a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. While working as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), he developed Korea's first bipedal humanoid robot, HUBO, earning him the nickname "Father of HUBO." In 2011, he founded Rainbow Robotics with researchers from the KAIST Department of Mechanical Engineering. He oversees the development of advanced robotic technologies, including humanoid bipedal robot platforms, quadrupedal robots, and collaborative robots. Leveraging his extensive experience in robotic technology and business know-how accumulated in academia and industry, he is dedicated to advancing Samsung Electronics' future robot development. #OhJunho #RainbowRobotics #SamsungElectronics #robotics #HUBO #KAIST #humanoidrobot #collaborativerobot #robottechnology #engineering
- CEO of Robotis
  Kim Byoung-soo
  
  Kim Byoung-soo is the CEO of Robotis. He is focusing on the company's core business of developing actuators for robots. He was born on August 19, 1969. He graduated from Korea University with a degree in electrical engineering and earned a master's degree in intelligent robotics from Hanyang University. He also completed an MBA program at Korea University Graduate School. He worked as an engineer at Kia Information Systems. He won championships in the Mobile Robot Contest, Japan Micromouse Competition, and Robot World Cup. In 1999, he founded Robotis. He has served as a director of the Korea Association of Robot Industry and the Korea Robotics Society, as well as the president of the STEAM Education Association. He is recognized for pioneering new fields in the robotics market and envisions a future where humans and robots coexist. #KimByoungsoo #Robotis #robotics #actuators #automation #AI #engineering #robotindustry #technology #innovation
- CEO of P&S Mechanics
  Park Kwang-hun
  
  Park Kwang-hun is the CEO of P&S Mechanics. He is dedicated to expanding the company's robotic product lineup from its core lower-limb rehabilitation robots to upper-limb and full-body rehabilitation robots. He was born on December 26, 1957. He graduated from the Department of Mechanical Design at Seoul National University. He began his career as a researcher at Goldstar Research Institute. After working at Sindoh Research Institute, he founded the robotics company P&S Mechanics in 1997. He is a medical rehabilitation robotics expert who has played a pioneering role in the domestic medical robotics industry. #ParkKwanghun #PSMechanics #rehabilitationrobotics #medicalrobotics #robotics #SouthKorea #healthcaretechnology #innovation #engineering #businessleadership
- CEO of HDC Hyundai Development Company
  Chung Kyung-ku
  
  Chung Kyung-ku is the designated President and CEO of HDC Hyundai Development Company. As HDC Group’s leading financial expert, he is focusing organizational capabilities on the Gwangwoon University Station area development project. He was born on June 18, 1965. He graduated from Seongdo High School in Busan and earned a degree in law from Seoul National University. He joined Shinhan Investment Corporation and worked there for nearly 20 years before moving to the finance team at Hyundai Development Company. In 2017, he was appointed CEO of HDC Asset Management. He served as Head of the Management Planning Division at HDC Hyundai Development Company and as CEO of HDC Hyundai Development Company before becoming CEO of HDC, the group’s holding company, in 2022. In 2024, he returned to HDC Hyundai Development Company as the designated President and CEO. He is working to restore the I’Park brand and regain market trust by completing the reconstruction of Hwajeong I’Park in Gwangju. #ChungKyungku #HDCHyundaiDevelopmentCompany #HDC #realestate #finance #construction #investment #IPark #Gwangju #corporatemanagement

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