Hankook & Company Group Announces 2027 Executive Appointments, Taps Young Leaders to Drive Future Growth

Breaking with Seniority... Appointments Focus on On-the-Ground Expertise and Growth Potential
Five Promoted to Vice President at Hankook & Company and Hankook Tire
Strengthening AX, Supply Chain, Brand, and Overseas OE Competitiveness
Hanon Systems Promotes 19... Strengthens Leadership in Key Functions and Global Businesses

Hankook & Company Group has announced its regular executive appointments for 2027. To proactively respond to uncertainty in the global business environment, it moved up the timing of the appointments by about one month compared with previous years.

This round of appointments focused on breaking decisively with seniority-based promotion and placing younger talent in key positions. Jung Jaehyun, a senior manager who has built expertise in refining and manufacturing technology at Hankook Tire & Technology's Safety and Production Technology Division, was promoted to executive without first being appointed a team leader. Lee Min, head of the G. Pricing Strategy Team in the Marketing Division, was also promoted to executive just one year after becoming team leader.

The group also made vice president-level appointments to lead its AI transformation (AX) and strengthen the competitiveness of its core businesses. Five executives were promoted to vice president: Kim Sungjin, executive vice president of the Digital Strategy Office at Hankook & Company; Park Hyunmin, executive vice president in charge of procurement at Hankook Tire; Ahn Sujeong, executive vice president of the Marketing Division; Kim Heonjun, executive vice president of the G. OE Innovation Division; and Park Jeongsu, executive vice president in charge of finance and accounting.

Hanon Systems strengthened leadership across key functions, including research and development (R&D), strategic innovation, finance, and human resources (HR), as well as across its global business organizations in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and China. A total of 49 people were promoted in this round of appointments: three at Hankook & Company, 27 at Hankook Tire & Technology, and 19 at Hanon Systems. The appointments take effect on December 1.

Chairman Jo Hyunbum of Hankook & Company Group. Hankook & Company Group

Breaking with Seniority and Prioritizing On-the-Ground Expertise

The appointments reflect the management philosophy of Chairman Cho Hyunbeom, who has emphasized "developing proactive leaders." The aim is to prioritize individual capability and growth potential over position and tenure, while strengthening an organizational culture that encourages employees to identify problems on the ground and turn them into innovation and results.

Jung Jaehyun led refining and manufacturing technology projects and was recognized for his on-the-ground expertise and achievements, earning promotion to executive without first serving as a team leader. Lee Min was recognized for developing global pricing systems and operating strategies, and for supporting company-wide decision-making through analysis of markets, exchange rates, tariffs, and profitability.

The group plans to continue appointing talent who have demonstrated their capabilities through challenges and results, while developing the next generation of leaders.

Strengthening AX, Supply Chains, and Brand Competitiveness

The executives promoted to vice president have built expertise and achieved results in key areas that will drive the group's future growth strategy.

Vice President Kim Sungjin has led the group's AX efforts, expanding the use of AI in employees' day-to-day work and establishing a foundation for AI adoption centered on business operations. Vice President Park Hyunmin strengthened the strategic role of the procurement division by building new supply chains and improving the cost competitiveness of materials.

Vice President Ahn Sujeong led global marketing for iON, Hankook Tire's dedicated electric vehicle tire brand, contributing to greater brand awareness and increased sales. Vice President Kim Heonjun expanded the original equipment (OE) tire business with global automakers, while Vice President Park Jeongsu has worked to improve the financial management system, increase cost efficiency, and boost profitability.

Through these appointments, the group aims to advance AI-based work and manufacturing innovation, strengthen its ability to respond to global supply chains, and enhance the competitiveness of its overseas OE business and premium brands.

A view of Technoplex, the headquarters of Hankook & Company Group, in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. Hankook & Company Group

Hanon Systems' Management Improvements and Group Synergies Gain Momentum

Since Hanon Systems became part of the group, it has moved to strengthen leadership to improve management efficiency and profitability. A total of 19 people were promoted in this round of appointments, with promotions expanded across key functions, including R&D, strategic innovation, finance, and HR, as well as major regional business organizations around the world.

The plan is to strengthen execution on key management priorities, including enhancing technological competitiveness, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the financial structure, while driving regional business results and profitability improvements.

The group plans to deliver tangible results from Hanon Systems' management improvements while combining the technological and business capabilities of its affiliates to generate concrete synergies.

A Hankook & Company Group official said, "We will strengthen talent management based on performance and capabilities and accelerate Hanon Systems' management improvements and group-wide business synergies. We will proactively respond to the rapidly changing mobility industry environment by advancing AI and digital transformation and strengthening the competitiveness of our global businesses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.