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
- CEO of NHN
  Chung U-jin
  
  Chung U-jin is the CEO of NHN. He is working to strengthen the competitiveness of the gaming business and improve the profitability of the cloud computing and mobile payment businesses. He was born in Germany on March 9, 1975, according to the lunar calendar. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in sociology. He joined Search Solutions. After Search Solutions was merged into NHN, he worked at NHN as head of business development for the U.S. subsidiary, head of the PlayNet business division, and head of the casual games business division. He moved to NHN Entertainment and took charge of the gaming business. He was appointed CEO of NHN in 2014. His management philosophy is that employees should be guaranteed autonomy and creativity. He is focusing on restructuring the company and expanding into new businesses by shutting down low-profit operations and concentrating on its core business divisions. #ChungUjin #NHN #gamingbusiness #cloudcomputing #mobilepayments #businessrestructuring #newbusinesses #corporatemanagement #employeeautonomy #digitalservices
  NEWS
  - • NHN Reports Q2 Operating Profit of KRW 28.5 Billion, Net Profit Plummets Due to Tmon-Wemakeprice
- 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
- Chairman of the NongHyup Central Union
  Kang Ho-Dong
  
  Kang Ho-dong is chairman of the NongHyup Central Union. He is pursuing sweeping reforms, including organizational restructuring and governance improvements, to restore trust in NongHyup. He was born on October 25, 1963, in Hapcheon County, South Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Hapcheon High School in South Gyeongsang Province and the Department of Tax Accounting at Daegu Mirae University. He also studied at the Graduate School of Business Administration at NongHyup University. He joined Yulgok NongHyup in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, and served as an executive director before becoming its president. He also served as a director at the NongHyup Central Union, NongHyup Holdings and the Farmers Newspaper. He lost the election for chairman of the NongHyup Central Union in 2020. He ran again in 2024 and won. He was elected chairman of the NongHyup Central Union in the first direct election involving all cooperative presidents in 17 years and launched an aggressive reform drive. However, critics say his reform momentum has weakened considerably after police launched a compulsory investigation into allegations that he accepted bribes during the chairman election. #KangHoDong #NongHyup #NongHyupCentralUnion #agriculturalcooperatives #organizationalreform #governancereform #directelection #briberyallegations #SouthKorea #businessleadership
  NEWS
  - • NACF Chairman Kang Ho-Dong Tightens Grip on Financial Units: Breaking State Control or Undermining Independence?
- 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
- President and CEO of POSCO International
  Lee Kye-in
  
  Lee Kye-in is the president and CEO of POSCO International. He is working to transform the company from a general trading company into a global integrated business company centered on the energy sector. As the group places the resources business at the forefront of its growth strategy, his role is gaining greater importance in line with the company’s rising status. He was born on December 5, 1964. He graduated from Yongmoon High School in Seoul and the Department of Economics at Sogang University. He joined Daewoo’s Steel Division 1 and served as head of Steel Team 1, head of the Istanbul branch and head of the Energy Steel Division at Daewoo International. After Daewoo International was acquired by POSCO Group, he served as head of the HR Support Office, head of the Materials and Chemicals Division and head of the Components and Materials Division at POSCO International. He served as head of Steel Division 1, head of the Trading Business Division and head of the Global Business Division before being appointed CEO in March 2024. He is known for his easygoing personality and for speaking openly with employees without formality. He serves as chair of the International Trade Committee at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. #LeeKyein #POSCOInternational #POSCOGroup #globalbusiness #energybusiness #resourcesbusiness #generaltrading #steelindustry #internationaltrade #corporateleadership
  NEWS
  - • Lee Kye-in Drives POSCO International’s LNG Powerhouse to Record Profits

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