Lee Sang-kyun to oversee group’s shipyards; Cho Min-soo named safety-focused co-CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
HD Hyundai said Wednesday that it has named Lee Sang-kyun, vice chair of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, to lead the group’s shipbuilding business as part of its 2026 executive reshuffle aimed at bolstering competitiveness across its core operations.
Under the reshuffle, Lee will head the group’s overall shipbuilding operations, coordinating key strategies across its affiliates, including HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Samho.
The 65-year-old executive will identify major initiatives to boost the capabilities of the group’s shipbuilding affiliates, develop tailored strategies and execution plans for each company and expand synergies through closer coordination among the units, according to the company.
He will also lead efforts to develop new businesses, including engine-based power generation systems for data centers and small modular reactors.
HD Hyundai typically announced such personnel changes in November, but moved the timing up to mid-October last year ahead of affiliate mergers and brought this year's announcement about 10 days early.
“This reshuffle reflects our determination to strengthen the capabilities of shipbuilding, one of the group’s core businesses, while at the same time putting workplace safety first,” an HD Hyundai official said. “
Cho Min-soo, currently executive vice president and head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipbuilding business, was promoted to president and nominated as the company’s chief executive responsible for safety.
Cho, 60, has spent his career working at shipbuilding sites and is regarded as an industry veteran with extensive experience. HD Hyundai said his appointment is expected to strengthen worksite safety.
Following the reshuffle, Lee and Cho will serve as co-CEOs of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, while current CEO Keum Seok-ho will focus on overseeing management support.
Han Joo-seok, executive vice president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ engine and machinery division, and Park Chan-hyuk, executive vice president of HD Hyundai Site Solution, were also promoted to president.
HD Hyundai said it plans to finalize its business strategy for next year through a follow-up executive reshuffle and management strategy meetings.
sahn@heraldcorp.com