"Manager Kim, Sorry"... A Strong Trend of Appointing Executives Born in the 1980s at Major Corporations

[Financial News] This year, the executive appointments at major companies are characterized by the advancement of high-ranking executives born in the 1970s and the expanded appointment of the first executives born in the 1980s.
On the 19th, the Korea CXO Institute summarized this year's executive appointment trends at large corporations using keywords such as 'Persistence Through Adversity,' 'Late 30s, Early 40s Surge,' 'Young Star Executives,' 'Strength Within,' and 'Pension Funds.'

'Persistence Through Adversity' refers to the increased placement of high-ranking executives born in the 1970s and the expanded appointment of executives born in the 1980s. 'Late 30s, Early 40s Surge' highlights the rapid rise of young executives in their late 30s to early 40s.
The Korea CXO Institute predicts a significant increase in promotions to senior executive positions, such as president and vice president, among those born between 1970 and 1976.
At Samsung Electronics, there are three presidents born in the 1970s: Yong Seok-woo (1970), Head of Visual Display Business; Choi Won-jun (1970), Chief Operating Officer of the MX Business; and Mauro Porcini (1975), Chief Design Officer. Among the more than 320 vice presidents, those born in the 1970s account for about 61%.
SK Group recently appointed five presidents born in the 1970s. While LG Electronics has yet to see a president born in the 1970s, there is attention on whether one will be appointed this year. At Hyundai Motor, due to industry characteristics, it is still early for non-owner presidents born in the 1970s, but it is expected that three to six or more vice presidents will be promoted in this round of appointments.
The appointment of young executives in their late 30s to early 40s (born between 1982 and 1989), referred to as the 'Late 30s, Early 40s Surge,' is also expected to expand. Currently, around 100 executives in this age group are active at Korea’s top 100 companies, and this number is expected to increase. Notably, more 'Young Star Executives'—those who attain executive status in their 30s, like Tae-moon Roh of Samsung Electronics—are likely to emerge.

Regardless of nationality or background, companies are expected to actively recruit outstanding external and foreign talent to strengthen internal competitiveness. As global competition intensifies in artificial intelligence and technology (AI/Tech), there is a growing trend to appoint executives who are overseas-educated Koreans, those with experience at global companies, and outstanding foreign professionals.
Oh Ilseon, head of the Korea CXO Institute, explained, "Including both appointments and promotions, the overall scale of executive appointments at major companies is expected to decrease compared to the previous year, and the total number of executive positions may also be reduced for management efficiency." He added, "To enhance diversity, the number of female executives will likely increase, and there will be more positions related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), including safety and the environment, than before."
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter