Hankook & Company Group announces 2027 executive appointments, promotes 5 to vice president

Hankook & Company Group has carried out its 2027 regular executive reshuffle, moving the announcement up by about a month from previous years to get ahead of uncertainty in the global business environment.

The group used the reshuffle to break sharply from seniority-based promotion, pushing younger talent to the fore. Jung Jae-hyun, a senior researcher in the refining and manufacturing technology field at Hankook Tire & Technology's Safety Production Technology Division, was elevated to executive rank without having served as a team leader. Lee Min, team leader of the G.Pricing Strategy Team in the Marketing Division, was promoted to executive just one year into the role.

With AI-driven technological innovation rapidly reshaping the mobility industry, the group also made vice president-level appointments to seize future business opportunities and sharpen execution in core operations. Five executives were promoted to vice president: Kim Sung-jin of Hankook & Company's Digital Strategy Division, who has led the group's AI transformation (AX); and Hankook Tire & Technology's Park Hyun-min of the Purchasing Division, Ahn Su-jung of the Marketing Division, Kim Heon-jun of the G.OE Innovation Division and Park Jeong-su of the Finance & Accounting Division.

Kim Sung-jin is credited with driving the group's AX initiative, spreading AI use into the daily work of all employees and fostering a workplace culture centered on hands-on AI adoption.

Park Hyun-min has worked to improve the group's business structure through the Purchasing Division, building new supply chains and securing cost competitiveness in materials. Park established a procurement framework to respond to shifts in global supply chains and strengthened cost management capabilities.

Ahn Su-jung was recognized for leading the marketing of iON, Hankook Tire's dedicated electric vehicle tire brand, raising brand awareness in the global electric vehicle market, driving sales expansion and supporting the company's premium brand strategy.

Kim Heon-jun has expanded the original equipment tire business targeting global automakers, broadening the company's presence in overseas markets. Park Jeong-su has worked in the Finance & Accounting Division to improve financial management systems and strengthen financial soundness, while also pursuing cost efficiency and profitability improvements.

At Hanon Systems, a total of 19 executives were promoted. The promotions spanned core functions including R&D, strategic innovation, finance and human resources, as well as major regional business organizations in Asia-Pacific, the Americas and China, with the aim of deepening expertise and sharpening execution across each division.

The appointments take effect Dec. 1, about a month earlier than in previous years, to enable a swift response to global business uncertainty and allow the group to complete its organizational realignment ahead of next year's business strategy. A total of 49 executives were promoted — three from Hankook & Company, 27 from Hankook Tire & Technology and 19 from Hanon Systems.

A Hankook & Company Group official said the reshuffle reflects the management philosophy of Chairman Cho Hyun-bum, who has emphasized developing "proactive leaders," as well as the group's medium- to long-term growth strategy. "It is an extension of Chairman Cho's talent management philosophy, which places great importance on individual capability and potential," the official said.

The official added that the group plans to continue promoting talent who demonstrate their abilities through challenge and results, regardless of rank or years of service, and to cultivate next-generation leaders who can drive field-centered innovation. "We will proactively respond to the rapidly changing mobility industry environment through AI and digital transformation and by strengthening global business competitiveness, further solidifying our standing as a global high-tech company," the official said.