Hankook & Company Group said on the 29th that it carried out executive appointments for 2026. Through this reshuffle, it aims to build a mid- to long-term growth and stable management system and strengthen organizational stability and R&D capabilities amid a global economic slowdown and a shift in the industrial paradigm.
Hankook & Company Group said the reshuffle was designed on three pillars: promoting organizational stability, strengthening on-site execution, and fostering young talent. A group official said, "It is a structure that puts more weight on mid- to long-term competitiveness and risk management than on short-term results," and noted, "In a management environment where uncertainty has become a constant, we have embarked on structural improvement by reallocating human asset." The appointments take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
A total of 33 people were promoted. First, Seo Eui-don (photo), head of the Safety Production Technology Division, was promoted to executive vice president. Seo was recognized for simultaneously driving enhancements in safety, quality, and efficiency at global production sites for years. The group plans to continue to make stability—such as safety and quality—a core competitiveness as it expands global production bases.
The holding company Hankook & Company (batteries) and key affiliates Hanon Systems (thermal management) and Hankook Tire & Technology (tires) appointed experienced and proven executives to strengthen organizational stability and risk management capabilities.
Research and development (R&D) specialists were also included among those promoted. Senior executive vice presidents Kim Sung-ho and Lee Hyeong-jae both serve as heads within the Research and Development Innovation Division and are representative R&D experts within the group. A group official said, "Through R&D innovation, we will lead global high-tech competitiveness and proactively secure leadership in the future mobility ecosystem."
Young leaders were placed at the forefront to strengthen field-centered execution. A representative example is the nomination of Yoo Hyeong-min, 47 (photo), head of Strategy and Innovation at Hankook Tire, as CEO of Model Solution. He is the group's first CEO in his 40s since its founding. Model Solution is an engineering solution company that spans various industries, including robotics, automobiles, electronics, and medical.
As head of Strategy and Innovation at Hankook Tire, Yoo carried out mid- to long-term growth strategies and advanced the business portfolio. In a phase of industrial structural change and intensifying technological competition, leadership that understands both strategy and the field was highly rated. A group official said, "It is not a simple generational change; it also signifies a shift to execution-centered management."
In addition, young executives were deployed to the divisions in charge of future growth areas and new businesses to speed up responses to change, reflecting a balance of stability and change in the personnel structure. Centered on proven talent, the organization was reorganized by broadly placing senior members and young talent. A group official said, "We will strengthen our fundamental competitiveness and solidify our position as a global high-tech group."
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd.
◇ executive vice president
▲ Seo Eui-don
◇ senior executive vice president
▲ Kim Sung-ho ▲ Lee Hyeong-jae
◇ senior vice president
▲ Kang Chang-hwan ▲ Park Jin-seon ▲ Shin Byung-ho ▲ Jang Yun-ho ▲ Moon Jang-hyeok ▲ Ahn Byung-won ▲ Yoo Hyeong-min ▲ Lee Seung-hyeong
◇ vice president
▲ Kang Hyun-seok ▲ Gil Gi-bin ▲ Kim Sung-ju ▲ Kim Young-jin ▲ Yoon Young-jin ▲ Lee Yong-woo ▲ Lim Jeong-soon ▲ Joo Yoo-seok ▲ Chae Ho-seok ▲ Choi Sun-gyu ▲ Hong Seung-hwan
Hanon Systems Co., Ltd.
◇ senior vice president
▲ Lee Sung-man
◇ vice president
▲ Kim Sook-hyun ▲ Kim Jeong-ho ▲ Oh Yong-jin ▲ Jeong Su-cheol ▲ Han Jeong-yeol ▲ ABATE, William
Hankook & Company Co., Ltd.
◇ senior vice president
▲ Lee Sung-chan
◇ vice president
▲ Kim Dong-cheol ▲ Chae Hee-dong ▲ Hwang Eui-taek
Model Solution
◇ CEO
▲ Yoo Hyeong-min