Samil PwC, PwC Consulting name new partners to lead AI and digital transformation push

By Ahn Hyo-jung, The Herald Business

Samil PwC and PwC Consulting announced a round of new partner promotions and leadership appointments.

Samil PwC held a partners' general meeting Friday morning, promoting 33 new partners and naming new managing directors and deputy managing directors.

The newly promoted partners include specialists in high-growth industries such as semiconductors, telecommunications and insurance, as well as experts in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and global private equity advisory. The cohort also includes tax specialists in amended return claims and tax appeals, alongside professionals set to lead AI and digital transformation initiatives in generative AI and software-as-a-service business model development.

Alongside the partner promotions, the firm named Jeong Min-su as head of tax advisory and elevated partners Kwak Yun-gu, Kim Kyung-gu, Daniel Fertig, Lee Jun-ho, Choi Chang-yun and Hong Jin-o to deputy managing director.

Jeong brings 30 years of hands-on experience and previously led the domestic tax group, building a strong track record across tax investigations, tax appeals and amended return claims. He spearheaded the development of Tax Agent, a generative AI tool tailored for tax advisory work. His expertise and leadership earned him recognition as the Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Person of the Year for 2025.

"At a time when AI and digital technology are reshaping industry paradigms, we have appointed the best specialists in each practice area as new partners and leaders so we can respond to the needs of our clients and society more swiftly and in greater depth," managing director Yoon Hoon-soo said. "We will continue to raise the value we deliver to clients, drawing on the differentiated expertise and technology that set Samil PwC apart."

PwC Consulting also held a general meeting Friday morning, naming Lim Ki-ho as its new managing director. Partners Kim Jae-hwan, Yoo Won-seok and Cha Kyung-min were promoted to deputy managing director, and 11 new partners were appointed. The personnel changes coincide with an organizational restructuring set to take effect July 1.

Lim, who takes the title of head of clients and industries, is credited with establishing PwC Consulting as a leading firm in management consulting. He built out a dedicated AI service practice and laid the groundwork for future growth in cybersecurity and ESG. Recognized for his extensive consulting experience and drive, he will concurrently serve as PwC Consulting's Clients & Industry leader and as chief strategy officer for PwC Korea.

Effective July 1, the start of the new fiscal year, PwC Consulting will reorganize its existing nine-division structure into five sectors and seven platforms. The move is designed to give the firm greater flexibility in responding to a rapidly shifting market environment marked by growing industry volatility and AI-driven business model innovation.

"This round of appointments and the organizational restructuring mark a critical turning point for PwC Consulting to take a significant leap forward amid a rapidly changing market environment," PwC Consulting managing director Moon Hong-ki said. "Together with our newly appointed leaders, we are committed to establishing ourselves as a consulting firm that creates greater value for clients and in the market in this era of rapid change."

Samil PwC and PwC Consulting posted combined sales of 1.5554 trillion won (approximately $1.02 billion) and operating profit of 26 billion won in fiscal year 2025 (July 2024–June 2025).