Lee Jae-yong's First Greeting Keyword: 'Young Blood'... Samsung Executives 'Under 60 Years Old'

7 out of 9 are in their 50s... 2 born in 1962 are '60 years old'
Key appointments include DX division marketing and DS division process experts

Lee Young-hee, President and Head of Global Marketing Office, DX (Device Experience) Division, Samsung Electronics. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Samsung Electronics continued its tradition of the '60-year-old rule' by appointing a management team of executives under the age of 60 for next year’s president-level personnel changes involving nine individuals. The 60-year-old rule refers to Samsung’s unique personnel system where senior executives aged 60 and above step down from frontline positions, and younger executives in their 30s to 50s are promoted.

'Emphasis on DX Marketing and DS Process Experts'

Kim Woo-jun, President and Head of Network Business Division, DX Division, Samsung Electronics. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

According to Samsung Electronics on the 5th, among the nine promotions and reassignments at the president level for next year, seven are in their 50s and two are 60 years old. It is regarded as a thoroughly 'technology talent'-centered personnel move spanning the DX (Device Experience) and DS (Semiconductor) divisions. This is interpreted as an effort to maximize business performance by securing future growth engines.

In the DX division, the promotion of Kim Woo-jun, born in 1968 and the same age as Chairman Lee Jae-yong, to president and head of the Network Business Division stands out. He was promoted from vice president and head of the Strategic Marketing Team to president. Known as a 'multi-player' with experience in sales, technology, and strategy, he is considered the right person to lead business growth in the DX division.

The promotion of Lee Young-hee, born in 1964 and the first female president, to head of the Global Marketing Office also draws attention. Since joining Samsung Electronics in 2007, Lee has been a marketing expert who created the 'Galaxy marketing success story.' Baek Soo-hyun, born in 1963 and vice president in charge of the Communication Team, the external communication channel for the DX division, was also promoted to president.

Seung Hyun-joon, born in 1966 and regarded as a top expert in artificial intelligence (AI), moved from president and head of Samsung Research to president in charge of global R&D cooperation at Samsung Research.

Nam Seok-woo, President of Manufacturing, Global Manufacturing & Infrastructure Division, Samsung Electronics DS Division. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

In the DS division, the promotion of Nam Seok-woo, born in 1966, to president and head of Global Manufacturing & Infrastructure Manufacturing stands out. He is an expert in semiconductor process development and manufacturing, considered the right person to lead cutting-edge process innovation and new product launches.

Samsung Electronics explained, "(President Nam) led process development for all memory products at the Semiconductor Research Institute," adding, "He is a figure with comprehensive capabilities in process, manufacturing, infrastructure, and environmental safety," and expressed expectations that his promotion to president will accelerate securing a semiconductor super-gap."

Song Jae-hyuk, born in 1967 and vice president and head of the DS division Semiconductor Research Institute, was promoted to president, serving as both Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and head of the Semiconductor Research Institute.

Park Seung-hee, born in 1964 and vice president who served as head of the Communication Team in Samsung C&T’s Construction Division, moved to become president in charge of CR at Samsung Electronics.

Two '60-year-old' Presidents... Heavy Responsibilities in 'Technology and China Management'

Yang Geol, President of Samsung Electronics China Strategy Cooperation Office. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

There were also appointments of '60-year-old' executives. Two positions?the DX division CTO and head of the China Strategy Cooperation Office?were entrusted to presidents born in 1962, both aged 60, with heavy responsibilities. The protagonists are Jeon Kyung-hoon, Samsung Electronics DX division CTO and head of Samsung Research, and Yang Geol, head of Samsung Electronics China Strategy Cooperation Office.

Considering the fierce competition in cutting-edge processes with the world’s largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company TSMC in the 'technology' field, and the severe 'China management' challenges such as recent U.S. semiconductor equipment import restrictions, it is analyzed that the '60-year-old rule' could not be mechanically applied to all president-level executives. A business insider familiar with Samsung Group said, "Since both the CTO and China management positions are very important for Samsung, it seems they focused more on appointing the right person."

President Jeon is a former professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology. After joining Samsung Electronics in 2012, he served as head of the Next Generation Communication Research Team, head of Network Development Team, and head of the Network Business Division, achieving milestones such as the world’s first commercialization of 5G. Samsung Electronics described him as "a telecommunications technology expert who contributed to network business growth" and said, "He will lead the discovery of future growth engines for Samsung Electronics by overseeing advanced research in the DX business."

President Yang is a semiconductor sales and marketing expert. He has experience as head of China General Affairs and deputy head of the China Strategy Cooperation Office. He has been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the memory semiconductor business in China. Samsung Electronics stated, "(After promotion to president) Yang is expected to lead smooth cooperation and support based on his China network and business insight as head of the China Strategy Cooperation Office."