[Top 100 CEOs] Inha University Ranks 5th in Producing CEOs... Who is 1st?

①Expanded Diversity in CEO Alma Maters
Reduction in Concentration of SKY and Prestigious High Schools

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] In South Korean companies, executives are called 'stars.' This implies that becoming one is difficult. Among the stars, the star of stars is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). During the year-end and New Year period, when personnel changes in major companies are concentrated, these stars rise and fall. After this period, the lineup that will lead our companies in the new year is revealed. This is not just a matter limited to our company. The CEOs of Korea's top 100 companies are the national representatives of our economy. Looking into who they are provides clues to understanding how our industry is moving. Asia Economy selected Korea's top 100 companies based on market capitalization and examined their CEOs. The ages, regions of origin, and schools of a total of 120 CEOs were analyzed.

Han Jong-hee, CEO of Samsung Electronics.

Looking into the alma maters of CEOs of Korea's top 100 companies, the concentration on SKY universities (Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University) has somewhat eased compared to five years ago. The proportion of CEOs from prestigious high schools in Seoul has also decreased, indicating an expansion in the diversity of CEO backgrounds and histories.

This year, among the 120 CEOs (including sole and co-CEOs) of Korea's top 100 companies by market capitalization, Seoul National University (undergraduate) had the highest number with 32. Next were Yonsei University with 17, Korea University with 16, Pusan National University with 6, Inha University with 5, Sungkyunkwan University with 4, Chung-Ang University with 3, and Hanyang University with 3.

Compared to five years ago, the so-called SKY university concentration among CEOs has somewhat eased. This year, 65 CEOs graduated from SKY universities, which is 3 fewer than the 68 reported by Monthly Hyundai Management in 2018, which annually publishes profiles of CEOs of the top 100 companies. The number of CEOs from Pusan National University doubled from 3 five years ago to 6 this year, and those from Inha University increased from 4 to 5.

CEOs who graduated from Pusan National University include Choi Jung-woo, CEO of POSCO Holdings (66), Cho Joo-wan, CEO of LG Electronics (61), Jung Jin-taek, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries (62), Ahn Dong-il, CEO of Hyundai Steel (64), Baek Jong-hoon, CEO of Kumho Petrochemical (62), and Hong Soon-ki, CEO of GS (64). CEOs who graduated from Inha University include Han Jong-hee, CEO of Samsung Electronics (61), Lee Sang-kyun, CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries (61), Cho Won-tae, CEO of Korean Air (48), Nam Goong-hong, CEO of Samsung Engineering (58), and Lee Seung-jun, CEO of Orion (63).

Among the top 100 CEOs in Korea, the most common major was Business Administration with 30 graduates. Next were Economics with 18, Chemical Engineering-related fields with 11, and Mechanical Engineering with 8. There was also a CEO who graduated from a military academy. Kang Gu-young, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries (64), who took office in September last year, entered the Air Force Academy (30th class) as the top student. While business and science/engineering fields dominate, CEOs from social sciences and humanities were also notable.

Representative examples include Kim Dong-kwan, CEO of Hanwha Solutions (40), who graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Political Science; Park Ji-won, CEO of HYBE (Yonsei University, Political Science and Diplomacy, 58); and Choi Hyun-man, CEO of Mirae Asset Securities (Chonnam National University, Political Science and Diplomacy, 62). Four CEOs studied law at university: Sohn Tae-seung, CEO of Woori Financial Group (64); Sohn Kyung-shik, CEO of CJ CheilJedang (84); Jung Jong-pyo, CEO of DB Insurance (61); and Huh Tae-soo, CEO of GS (66).

The high schools that produced the most CEOs were Seoul Kyungseong High School and Daegu Yeongnam High School, each with three graduates. CEOs who graduated from Kyungseong High School include Seo Kyung-bae, CEO of AmorePacific (60), Kim Nam-goo, CEO of Korea Financial Group (60), and Jung Seung-il, CEO of Korea Electric Power Corporation (58). Located in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Kyungseong High School is famous for producing outstanding talents. Many so-called 'successful' figures in the financial investment industry graduated from Kyungseong High School. Although not ranked in the top 100 by market capitalization, Yoo Chang-soo, CEO of Eugene Investment & Securities (60); Yoon Kyung-eun, chairman of Hyundai Heavy Industries Power Systems and former CEO of KB Securities (61); and Kim Tae-woo, CEO of Daol Asset Management (56) are also Kyungseong High School alumni.

Kim Jun-hyung, CEO of POSCO Chemical (61), Kang Gu-young, and Woo Jong-soo, CEO of Hanmi Pharmaceutical (56), graduated from Yeongnam High School. Founded in 1935, Yeongnam High School is considered a prestigious school in Dalseo-gu. Although not included in the top 100 companies by market capitalization, Byun Dae-gyu, chairman of Humax Holdings (63); Lee Jae-sik, vice chairman of NongHyup Central Association (60); and Kang Ho-sung, CEO of CJ ENM Entertainment Division (59) are also Yeongnam High School alumni.

The proportion of CEOs from prestigious high schools in Seoul has also decreased compared to before. The number of graduates from Gyeonggi High School dropped from 5 five years ago to 2. CEOs Sohn Kyung-shik and Kwon Young-soo, CEO of LG Energy Solution (66), are Gyeonggi High School alumni. Two CEOs each graduated from Yeouido High School in Seoul (Ahn Jae-yong, CEO of SK Bioscience, 56; Seo Jang-won, CEO of Coway, 53), Daegu Gyeseong High School (Jung Jong-pyo, CEO; Lee Soo-il, CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology, 61), and Gwangju High School (Choi Hyun-man, CEO; Yang Jeom-sik, CEO of Iljin Materials, 64).

Gyeongbok High School and Yongsan High School, which each had five CEOs five years ago, disappeared from this year's list. Huimun High School had one CEO, Chung Eui-sun, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company (53). Since the mid-1970s, the high school equalization policy appears to have reduced the concentration of CEOs from specific high schools. According to confirmed data, more than 40 of the top 100 CEOs were from Seoul. About 20 were from the Yeongnam region including Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Busan; about 10 from the Honam region; 8 from Chungcheong; and 4 from Gangwon.