HD Hyundai carried out its 2026 executive appointments under the keyword "stability with safety." The move is interpreted as a focus on solidifying the "Chung Ki-sun era" while further strengthening "safety management."
On the 7th, HD Hyundai announced that it has appointed Lee Sang-gyun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, as the Vice Chairman overseeing shipbuilding business. Having joined Hyundai Heavy Industries in 1983, Vice Chairman Lee previously served as Representative Director of HD Hyundai Samho and Shipbuilding & Offshore Business Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. He has been serving as the head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries since 2021.
Vice Chairman Lee's task is to identify core initiatives for strengthening the capabilities of shipbuilding affiliates such as HDHD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and HD Hyundai Samho, while maximizing synergies. He is expected to command the group's overall shipbuilding business through formulating company-specific response strategies and detailed action plans, as well as coordinating operations. The company also decided to actively pursue new businesses, including engine generation for data centers and entry into the SMR (Small Modular Reactor) market.
Lee Min-soo, Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Jo Seon-sa-eop (CEO), was promoted to President. Jo (President) will serve as a An Jeon-chong-gwal (CEO) director at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The company described Jo (President) as "a shipbuilding field expert who has consistently worked on the front lines of the industry since joining the company," adding that he is "the right person to maximize the execution of on-site safety based on his experience and knowledge." With this appointment, Lee Sang-gyun, Vice Chairman overseeing shipbuilding, and Jo Min-su (President) will serve as co-presidents of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. President Geum Seok-ho will focus on his role as President overseeing management support.
Han Ju-seok, Vice President of the Engine & Machinery Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, was promoted to President. Han, who majored in mechanical engineering at the Naval Academy, is an engine expert with 33 years of experience across all areas of marine engines, including design, R&D (research and development), production, and sales. He is expected to take the lead in overseeing the expansion of a power generation engine plant for data centers, into which HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to invest 830 billion won, while also actively working to secure synergies with its subsidiaries, HD Hyundai Marine Engine and HD Hyundai Engine.
Park Chan-hyuk, Vice President of HD Hyundai Site Solution, was also promoted to President. He is recognized as a field expert who has worked on construction machinery production sites. He has served in various roles, including head of overseas subsidiaries in Europe and China, Head of the Global Production Division, and Head of the Quality & Production Strategy Division, acting as an expert in production and quality.
The business community views HD Hyundai's decision to minimize the scale of this year's executive appointments following Jeong Gi-seon (Chairman)'s inauguration last year as a move toward building a stable organizational structure. At the same time, it is assessed that the company has strengthened its will to pursue new businesses such as SMRs and data center engines, while also establishing a "safety control tower" centered on Jo (President). HD Hyundai plans to finalize next year's business plan through subsequent executive appointments and management strategy meetings.
An HD Hyundai official stated, "This demonstrates our will to strengthen the capabilities of the shipbuilding business while prioritizing on-site safety." The official added, "We will maintain our position as a world-class shipbuilder to contribute to the economic development of our country, and grow into a sustainable company through continuous efforts to enhance competitiveness."
in INDUSTRY
