The heart of Seoul is home to a dense concentration of leading conglomerates, reflecting the city’s status as South Korea’s economic powerhouse. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The average age of chief executive officers (CEOs) at South Korea’s largest companies has fallen below 60 for the first time, signaling a shift toward younger leadership in the country’s corporate landscape, according to new industry data released Tuesday.
The latest figures from corporate tracker Leaders Index show that the average age of CEOs at South Korea’s top 500 companies by sales has dropped to 59.8 years in 2025, compared to 61.1 years in 2024 and 60.3 years in 2023. This marks a notable trend toward younger leadership amid a broader generational change in the business community.
The shift comes as several high-profile companies have appointed younger executives. For example, Hansol Paper Co., South Korea’s largest paper manufacturer, appointed 46-year-old Han Kyung-rok as CEO earlier this year, replacing the 63-year-old Han Cheol-gyu. Similarly, Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co. tapped 48-year-old Kim Joong-hyun as CEO, succeeding 62-year-old Kim Yong-beom.
Among the youngest CEOs, Lee Jae-sang, 43, of K-pop giant Hybe Corp. stands out as the youngest outsider to take the helm, while 36-year-old Koo Woong-mo, grandson of LG Group’s founder, assumed leadership of LT Corp. in 2023.
However, South Korea’s oldest CEOs still hold significant influence. Sohn Kyung-shik, 86, CEO of CJ Corp., along with 83-year-old Kang Byung-joong, CEO of Nexen Corp., are among the oldest leaders in the country’s business sector.
Despite this shift, the representation of women in top executive roles remains limited, with only 12 female CEOs in major South Korean companies, accounting for just 2 percent of the total.
The trend toward younger leadership reflects a broader shift in corporate governance and succession planning, as South Korea’s business landscape evolves in response to changing market dynamics and a new generation of business leaders.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
