Samsung, SK, Hyundai Push Younger Executives Into Senior Posts (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s major conglomerates are increasingly elevating executives born in the 1970s to senior leadership roles, signaling a generational shift in corporate management, according to new analysis released Wednesday by the Korea CXO Institute.
At Samsung Electronics, three division heads born in 1970 or later now hold president-level titles: Yong Seok-woo, head of the visual display unit; Choi Won-joon, chief operating officer of the mobile division; and Mauro Porcini, chief design officer.
Among the company’s roughly 320 executive vice presidents, 1970s-born leaders make up about 61 percent, a share the institute expects to climb above 10 percent for those born after 1975 in next year’s reshuffle.
SK Group promoted five executives born in the 1970s to president-level roles in its latest personnel round. LG Electronics, which has yet to appoint a 1970s-born president, is expected to do so for the first time this year. In its vice-president ranks, the proportion of 1970s-born leaders—now around 20 percent—is projected to reach the 30 percent range next year.
Hyundai Motor is also expected to elevate three to six new vice presidents, potentially raising its share of 1970s-born vice-presidents from 32 percent to 40 percent.
The study notes a parallel rise of even younger leadership: nearly 100 executives at the nation’s top 100 companies are in their late 30s to early 40s—born between 1982 and 1989—and their presence is expected to grow further in 2026.
Still, the incoming personnel cycle may bring leaner top teams overall. “For efficiency, companies may reduce the total number of executives,” said Oh Il-seon, head of the Korea CXO Institute, adding that positions tied to diversity initiatives, including female leadership and ESG functions, are likely to expand.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
