SEOUL: Samhwa Paint Industrial Co., a mainstay in the Asian coatings industry, has officially ushered in a new era of leadership. The company announced on Monday the appointment of Kim Hyun-jung (41) as Chief Executive Officer and President, roughly a year after her initial promotion to vice president.
The leadership transition comes in the wake of the sudden passing of her father, former Chairman Kim Jang-yeon, in December 2024. Following the inheritance of his 22.76% stake, Kim Hyun-jung has emerged as the company’s largest shareholder with a total stake of 25.8%.
Unlike traditional industrial heirs, Kim brings a rigorous professional background to the corner office. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (2012) and a qualified lawyer (2018), having graduated from Korea University and Hanyang University Law School.
The appointment signals a strategic pivot for Samhwa Paint. While the company maintains a dominant domestic position, the board is betting on Kim’s expertise in international law and finance to accelerate its expansion into the global “comprehensive chemical” sector.
”CEO Kim has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in navigating the complexities of overseas operations,” a company spokesperson stated. “Her leadership is expected to be the catalyst for our evolution from a traditional paint manufacturer into a global materials innovator.”
Under the new structure, Samhwa Paint will operate under a co-CEO system featuring Kim and veteran executive Bae Maeng-dal. Former CEO Ryu Gi-bung resigned from his post the same day to facilitate the transition.