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

- CEO of Hyundai Transys
  Baek Cheol-seung
  
  Baek Cheol-seung is CEO and Executive Vice President of Hyundai Transys. He is focusing on strengthening profitability in the company's two core businesses of transmissions and seats through management centered on business fundamentals, while also working to shift its business structure toward hybrid and electric vehicle drive systems. He was born on April 22, 1968. He graduated from Sungkyunkwan University with a degree in metallurgical engineering and earned a master's degree in metallurgical engineering from the university's graduate school. He joined Hyundai Motor Company, where he served as head of the Interior, Electrical and Electronics Parts Procurement Office and head of the Procurement Strategy Office. He later served as head of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC). He joined Hyundai Transys as an executive vice president and head of sales. He was later promoted to vice president and put in charge of business development. In November 2024, he was appointed CEO of Hyundai Transys. He is regarded as a procurement expert with extensive experience in both purchasing and overseas subsidiary management. #BaekCheolseung #HyundaiTransys #HyundaiMotor #AutomotiveIndustry #Transmission #AutomotiveSeats #HybridVehicles #ElectricVehicles #Procurement #Mobility
- CEO of HanaTour
  Cho Jwa-jin
  
  Cho Jwa-jin is CEO of HanaTour. He was born on November 6, 1967, in Busan. He graduated from Naeseong High School in Busan and Seoul National University with a degree in economics. He began his career at Samsung Life Insurance. After working at global consulting firm A.T. Kearney, he joined Hyundai Capital as an executive director. He later moved to Oliver Wyman as head of its Korea operations before returning to Hyundai Card, where he served as head of financial marketing, head of strategy, and head of strategy and finance. He also served as CEO of Hyundai Capital America (HCA). He later founded and operated the consulting firm JCMC. In 2020, he was recruited as CEO and president of Lotte Card. In July 2026, after HanaTour introduced an executive officer system, he was appointed its first CEO under the new system. Having built extensive experience across the financial industry, he has led platform innovation and spearheaded the advancement of products and platform services. #ChoJwajin #HanaTour #CEO #LotteCard #HyundaiCard #HyundaiCapital #HyundaiCapitalAmerica #PlatformInnovation #FinancialIndustry #TravelIndustry
- Chairman of the Hanyang University Foundation
  Kim Chong-yang
  
  Kim Chong-yang is chairman of Hanyang Foundation, the educational foundation of Hanyang University. He was born in Seoul on September 4, 1950, as the son of Kim Lyun-joon, the founder and former chairman of the foundation. He graduated from Seoul National University High School and Yonsei University with a degree in education. He studied at New York University Graduate School in the United States and earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University Graduate School. In 1984, he joined Hanyang University, which was founded by his father, as a professor in the Department of Educational Technology. In 1993, he was appointed president of Hanyang University and led the university for 18 years. He stepped down as president in 2011 and has served as chairman of Hanyang Foundation for the past 17 years, leading Hanyang University and its educational foundation. He served as president of the Korean Society for Educational Technology, vice president of the Korean Olympic Committee, vice chairman of the Korean Council of University Presidents, vice chairman of the Korea University Council for Social Service, and an advisory member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology. He contributed to Hanyang University becoming one of South Korea's five leading private universities. Following the sale of Hanyang Securities, he has moved to sell additional assets, with overcoming a liquidity crisis and stabilizing the foundation's management among his key challenges. #KimChongyang #HanyangUniversity #HanyangFoundation #privateuniversity #universitymanagement #education #educationaltechnology #HanyangSecurities #liquiditycrisis #assetmanagement
- President and CEO of Yeochun NCC
  Kim Kil-Su
  
  Kim Kil-su is CEO and president of Yeochun NCC. With cumulative operating losses exceeding KRW 1 trillion (US$719.4 million), the company narrowly avoided default with support from Hanwha Solutions and DL Chemical. Kim now faces the task of completing, without disruption, a business restructuring involving a three-company joint venture that also includes Lotte Chemical in order to ensure the company’s survival. Kim was born on June 6, 1961, in South Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Masan High School and earned a degree in chemical engineering from Seoul National University. He joined Daelim Industrial, now DL Chemical. He served as an executive in the PE Business Division of the Petrochemical Business Division and as head of the Daedeok Research Institute before becoming head of the Yeosu Plant. He later worked as head of the Petrochemical Business and head of the Business Development Division. After DL Chemical was launched, he served as head of the Specialty Business Division and head of the Petrochemical Business Division before being promoted to president and head of the Petrochemical Business Division in November 2023. He also served as a non-executive director of Yeochun NCC and was involved in the company’s management. In August 2025, he was appointed CEO of Yeochun NCC. He leads the company as co-CEO alongside Executive Vice President and CEO Kim Myung-heon, who was recommended by Hanwha Solutions. #KimKilSu #YeochunNCC #petrochemical #DLchemical #HanwhaSolutions #LotteChemical #businessrestructuring #operatingloss #jointventure #chemicalindustry
- CEO of the Agricultural Economy Division at NongHyup Agribusiness Group
  Kim Ju-yang
  
  Kim Ju-yang is CEO of the Agricultural Economy Division at NongHyup Agribusiness Group. He is focusing on reforming the agricultural product distribution structure. He is also working to strengthen management fundamentals to end two consecutive years of losses. He was born in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, in 1967. He graduated from Jinju Dongmyeong High School and the Department of Agriculture at Seoul National University. In 1992, he joined the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation as a clerk at its Pyeongtaek County branch. He served as head of NongHyup Grain and head of the Economic Strategy Team in the Economic Planning Department. He also held key positions in the agricultural economy sector, including head of the Horticulture Business Department and head of the Producing Area Horticulture Department. After serving as head of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation's Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters and head of the Producing Area Wholesale Division at NongHyup Agribusiness Group, he was appointed CEO of the Agricultural Economy Division at NongHyup Agribusiness Group in 2026. He is regarded as a hands-on leader with extensive expertise in agricultural product distribution and policies for producing regions. #KimJu-yang #NongHyup #NongHyupAgribusinessGroup #agriculture #agriculturaldistribution #agriculturalproducts #farmpolicy #distributionreform #agriculturaleconomy #management
- CEO of Korea Line Corporation
  Min Sang-ki
  
  Min Sang-ki is CEO of Korea Line Corporation. He was born on January 4, 1955, in Okcheon-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. He graduated from Jungkyung High School in Seoul and the College of Animal Science at Konkuk University. He earned both a master’s degree and a doctorate in food engineering from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. While serving as a professor at Konkuk University, he held positions including president of the faculty council, dean of the graduate school, executive vice president for academic affairs, and president of the university. In July 2026, he took office as the new CEO of Korea Line Corporation, a shipping affiliate of SM Group. During his tenure as president of Konkuk University, he actively reformed the curriculum by strengthening education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including AI, and fostering interdisciplinary talent suited to industry needs. His appointment as the head of a shipping company drew attention because it was unusual for someone from academia to take such a position. #MinSangki #KoreaLine #SMGroup #shipping #KonkukUniversity #academia #AIeducation #FourthIndustrialRevolution #interdisciplinarytalent #leadership
- Chairman of Sajo Group
  Choo Chin-woo
  
  Choo Chin-woo is chairman of Sajo Group. He returned as CEO of Sajo Industries 21 years after stepping back from frontline management and is focusing on identifying new businesses while working to increase revenue, improve profitability and enhance efficiency across the group. He was born on August 28, 1949, in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as the eldest son among two sons and three daughters of Joo In-yong, founder and chairman of Sajo Industries. He graduated from Kyunggi High School in Seoul and Seoul National University with a degree in political science. He earned a master's degree in political science from Columbia University in the United States and a doctorate in political science from Hanyang University Graduate School. He began his career at Korea Exchange Bank before joining Sajo Industries, founded by his father, as vice president. He became president and CEO of Sajo Industries in 1979 and later rose to chairman. He returned as CEO of Sajo Industries in March 2025. Through aggressive mergers and acquisitions (M&A), he transformed the fisheries-focused company into a large business group spanning fisheries, livestock, leisure and IT. He served as a lawmaker for the 15th and 16th National Assemblies representing Goryeong and Seongju in North Gyeongsang Province as a member of the Grand National Party, now the People Power Party. He is known as a "bold strategist." #ChooChinwoo #SajoGroup #SajoIndustries #fisheries #MergersAndAcquisitions #businessmanagement #corporategrowth #livestock #leisure #IT
- Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries
  Choi Sung-an
  
  Choi Sung-an is Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries. He is focusing on improving business performance, selectively securing orders and securing future growth engines. He was born on December 1, 1960, in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Masan High School and Seoul National University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He joined Samsung Engineering and worked as head of procurement, head of the chemical business division and head of Plant Business Division 1. In 2018, he was appointed CEO of Samsung Engineering. After being promoted to vice chairman, he moved to Samsung Heavy Industries and was appointed CEO in 2023. He was the first person to be promoted to vice chairman under Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. After ending Samsung Heavy Industries' eight consecutive years of operating losses in 2023, he has continued to lead improvements in the company's business performance. He served as chairman of the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association. He places great importance on technology and is known for a meticulous and thorough work style. #ChoiSungan #SamsungHeavyIndustries #SamsungEngineering #shipbuilding #offshoreplant #selectiveorders #businessperformance #futuregrowth #LeeJaeyong #KoreaShipbuilding
  NEWS
  - • Choi Sung-an Breaks Samsung Heavy’s Loss Streak, Outsider Advantage Pays Off
  - • Samsung Heavy Industries Rides the Container Ship Order Boom: Choi Sung-an on Track to Achieve $9.7 Billion Order Target
- President of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
  Bae Choong-sik
  
  Bae Choong-sik is the 18th president of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology). He faces the tasks of quickly normalizing problems such as delays in policy implementation caused by a 16-month vacancy in the presidency and restoring trust in the global academic community, which was damaged after KAIST was excluded from evaluations by a major global university ranking organization. He was born on March 27, 1963, in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province. He graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at Seoul National University and earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the university’s graduate school. He received a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Imperial College London in the United Kingdom. He worked as a researcher at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, now the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and as an engineering researcher at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom. After being appointed a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Chungnam National University, he moved to KAIST as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In July 2026, he took office as president of KAIST. He is a leading authority in environmentally friendly energy and carbon-neutral power engineering. He is a full member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea. He has served as a technical adviser to Hyundai Motor, a specially appointed professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo, formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology, and a distinguished professor at Korea Electric Power Corp. He has also participated in shaping national science and technology policy, including serving as chair of the climate division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Science and Technology Diplomacy Advisory Committee. He became the first Korean to be named an SAE Fellow, the highest level of recognition in the powertrain field, by SAE International. #BaeChoongsik #KAIST #KAISTPresident #MechanicalEngineering #CarbonNeutrality #CleanEnergy #PowerEngineering #ScienceTechnology #SAEInternational #HigherEducation
- CEO and President of POSCO E&C
  Song Chi-young
  
  Song Chi-young is CEO and President of POSCO E&C. He faces the tasks of preventing serious industrial accidents in advance, resolving structural problems that threaten safety, and improving the company’s sluggish business performance. He was born on November 19, 1964, in Busan. He graduated from Busan Dong High School and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pukyong National University. He completed an MBA program at the Graduate School of Technology and Innovation Management at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology). He joined POSCO and served as head of the Global O&M Group at the Steel Production Strategy Office and deputy head of the Safety and Environment Department. After serving as head of the Safety and Health Center and Chief Safety Officer (CSO) at POSCO E&C, he was appointed CEO and President of POSCO M-Tech in 2024. He later moved to POSCO and served as Vice President and head of the Equipment Reinforcement Task Force. In 2025, after President Chung Hee-min resigned following a series of worker safety accidents, Song was abruptly appointed CEO and President of POSCO E&C. He is serving as the 37th president of the Korea Gymnastics Association. #SongChiYoung #POSCOEC #POSCOMTech #POSCO #construction #industrialSafety #seriousAccidents #safetyManagement #KoreaGymnasticsAssociation #corporateLeadership

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