Samyang names new heads for holding company, food unit in executive reshuffle

Samyang Group announced Monday that it has carried out a regular executive reshuffle, designating Executive Vice President Kim Ji-seop as the next CEO of Samyang Holdings.

The group said the reorganization focuses on stabilizing the organization and strengthening its fundamentals. Two executives who rose through the ranks were appointed as heads of business divisions to ensure stable operations. Several experienced veterans were also newly promoted to executive positions.

Kim will be promoted to head of Samyang Holdings' Staff Group and concurrently serve as chief financial officer, leading the holding company. Born in 1961, Kim joined Samyang in 1988 and has since served as head of the secretarial team, head of the accounting team, and CFO of Samyang Holdings, building a strong track record in finance. The group said Kim was selected to embed a culture of legal compliance and strengthen financial capabilities. Kim is set to be formally appointed CEO at the regular shareholder meeting in March next year.

Eom Tae-ung, who has been with Samyang Group for 43 years, will step down from active management. Sources said Eom decided to retire after concluding that the organizational turbulence following a price-fixing case had been resolved and that the acquisition of a Japanese flavoring company in June had laid the groundwork for expanding the specialty food business.

Samyang's food division will be led by Jung Ji-seok, who was born in 1971 and joined the company in 1995. Jung has served as head of the food marketing team, marketing director, head of human resources and culture, and head of the food business unit. This year, Jung also concurrently held the acting food division head role — which had been vacant — alongside the food business unit head position, quickly stabilizing the organization.

Under new leadership, Samyang's food division plans to focus on enhancing competitiveness in the specialty business. Jung is also set to be formally appointed CEO of Samyang's operating subsidiary at the regular shareholder meeting in March next year.