KOREA WHO

Cho Hyun-bum is the Chairman and CEO of Hankook & Company, the holding company of Hankook & Company Group. He also concurrently serves as the Chairman of its subsidiary, Hankook Tire & Technology.

He secured control of the group by surpassing his older brother, Cho Hyun-sik, an advisor at Hankook & Company. However, a private equity fund teamed up with Advisor Cho Hyun-sik to initiate a hostile takeover, leading to a management dispute.

Under the holding company system of Hankook & Company, he is focusing on enhancing the profitability of existing businesses and driving the growth of new ventures.

Born on January 7, 1972, in Haman County, Gyeongsangnam-do, he is the second son of Cho Yang-rae, Honorary Chairman of Hankook & Company Group.

He graduated from Dwight-Englewood School in the United States and majored in finance at Boston College.

After serving as the Head of the Marketing Division at Hankook Tire, he moved to the position of Head of the Management Planning Division at the holding company, Hankook Tire Worldwide (now Hankook & Company).

Following the spin-off of Hankook Tire & Technology from Hankook & Company, he worked at the tire business company, Hankook Tire & Technology. Before Advisor Cho Hyun-sik took on the role of Other Non-Executive Director at Hanon Systems, he served as an Inside Director at Hanon Systems.

He returned to management as the sole CEO of Hankook & Company in 2020 after receiving a suspended sentence in a trial related to personal corruption.

In 2023, after being arrested on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust, he was released on bail and is currently undergoing trial without detention.

He emphasizes creativity and a proactive corporate culture, actively communicating with employees.

He is the son-in-law of former President Lee Myung-bak.