Lotte Group on the 26th carried out its 2026 regular executive appointments, symbolized by a generational shift and change. One of the figures drawing attention in this reshuffle is Vice President Jeong Hyeon-seok (50), who has been nominated as CEO of Lotte Department Store.
After being promoted to senior managing director last year, he was promoted to vice president in just a year. Such a rapid rise is drawing notice given that, in a sluggish domestic economy, virtually only third- and fourth-generation Oner can advance this fast. He is also the youngest CEO in Lotte Department Store's history.
Born in 1975, Vice President Jeong is a "Lotte man" who graduated from the Department of German Language and Literature at Inha University and joined Lotte Department Store in 2000. He worked at Lotte Department Store's Daegu branch and Yeongdeungpo branch, and served as head of Lotte Department Store's customer strategy team, head of Lotte Mart's Digital Park planning team, and head of overall sales at Lotte Department Store's Jamsil branch.
From 2020 to 2024, he served as CEO of FRL Korea, which operates Uniqlo. At the time, Uniqlo's sales were plunging due to the fallout from Korea's anti-Japan movement. Although it was a tough post to take, Vice President Jeong turned it into an opportunity. He boldly closed stores that did not generate revenue and strengthened online distribution. He also won back consumer interest through collaborations with well-known brands. A representative example was the collaboration with Marni. A fashion industry official said, "As word spread that Uniqlo's collaboration pieces were stylish, it even led to an 'open run' phenomenon (customers rushing in at opening time to buy items)."
Internal reviews within the department store were also favorable. Many said he has strong drive and a good feel for numbers. A Lotte Department Store official said, "Since his days as Head of Team, he has been widely known for 'being good at his job.'" His fluency in Japanese was also cited as a factor in his promotion.
Within the group, there are expectations for him as an authentic "Lotte man" following on from externally recruited appointees. An official at Lotte Group said, "In recent years, appointments were made on the expectation that outside talent would automatically do well without fully understanding Lotte's ins and outs, but now I think the opportunity has come to create the perception that 'authentic Lotte people also do well.'" Another official said, "As the group pursues 'young Lotte' and 'change,' the appointment appears to reflect his strong performance and smooth communication."