KOREA WHO

Choi Yoon is the Chairman of OK Financial Group.

In an effort to shed the company’s past image as a loan provider, he has focused on corporate social responsibility initiatives while preparing for a transition into a comprehensive financial group.

Born on September 6, 1963, in Nagoya, Japan, Choi is a third-generation Korean-Japanese who graduated from Nagoya University with a degree in economics.

He initially founded a restaurant called "Shilla-kan," which featured yakiniku (Japanese-style grilled meat) as its main offering, and expanded the business to operate 60 branches at one point.

After moving to South Korea, he established a venture capital company and invested in IT companies, but faced setbacks as the venture boom faded.

When a Japanese lending company under the A&O Group was put up for sale, he organized a consortium called JNP with other Korean-Japanese entrepreneurs to acquire the company.

He renamed the acquired company to "APLO."

Through aggressive marketing under the "Rush & Cash" brand, Choi expanded the business and subsequently merged seven affiliate companies using the Rush & Cash brand.

He acquired Miz Sarang, Korea IB Finance, and Yes Credit Information.

Choi further expanded into the secondary financial sector by acquiring Yena Savings Bank and Yeju Savings Bank, establishing OK Savings Bank, and eventually exited the loan business altogether.

In 2019, marking the 20th anniversary of the company’s founding, he changed the company name from APLO Service Group to "OK Financial Group."

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