Hankook announces key executive appointments for 2022

Seoul – Hankook & Co., the holding company of Hankook Tire & Technology, has announced a series of appointments to drive growth in 2022. 

Effective 1 Jan, the reshuffle will see CEO, Hyunbum Cho taking over as chairman of Hankook & Co, the group announced 23 Dec 2021.

Former chairman Yangrae Cho will serve as the ‘honorary chairman of the group’.

Hyunbum Cho first joined Hankook Tire in 1998, subsequently becoming the head of marketing division and business strategy division.

In 2018, he was appointed as the CEO of Hankook Tire, leading the company’s large-scale investments in China, Hungary, and the US.

Hankook said it expected Cho’s expanded role as chairman to allow him to “continue strengthening core business competitiveness and lead the group to the future.”

In parallel, Hankook Tire announced the appointment of three executive vice presidents, three senior vice presidents, and fourteen vice presidents for 2022.

Bonhee Ku, who served as VP & manager of R&D innovation is promoted to EVP chief technology officer. The appointment, Hankook said, reflects Ku’s contributions in the technological innovations such as the development "next generation" electric vehicle and ultra high performance (UHP) tires. 

Sanghoon Lee, who leads the Europe headquarters, also becomes EVP Europe after “recording a dramatic growth in UHP tire segment” in the region.

The tire maker also named Hyungyun Kim, plant managing director of Hungary plant as senior SVP at Hankook Tire Europe headquarters. 

Moonwha Hong was named SVP OE development department, CTO; while Curtis Brison was appointed as president of Hankook Tire North America headquarters.