Hankook appoints key executives for 2022

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

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

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 U.S.

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 14 vice presidents for 2022.

Bonhee Ku, who served as vice president and manager of research and development innovation was 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 became 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 the 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.