LG Household & Health Care Appoints Former L'Oreal Executive Seonju Lee as New CEO

Lee Jungae Steps Down Before November Personnel Reshuffle

On September 29, LG Household & Health Care announced that it had held a board meeting and appointed Seonju Lee, a former executive at the global cosmetics company L'Oreal, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective October 1.

Seonju Lee, President of LG Household & Health Care. Provided by LG Household & Health Care

Born in 1970, Seonju Lee, the newly appointed CEO, graduated from Ewha Womans University with a degree in Journalism and Broadcasting and has spent 30 years in the cosmetics industry. As a marketing expert and business leader, she has contributed to the growth of various brands including Kiehl's, Yves Saint Laurent, Mediheal, and AHC.

She began her career in public relations and corporate communications at L'Oreal Korea and later served as General Manager for the Yves Saint Laurent and Kiehl's brands. She is recognized for growing the Kiehl's brand in Korea to become the second-largest market globally, following the United States. Lee also served as Senior Vice President of International Business Development for Kiehl's, helping the brand rise to the number two position within L'Oreal's luxury division.

Subsequently, she worked as President of the Global Strategy Division at L&P Cosmetic and as Head of its U.S. subsidiary, where she led the entry of the Mediheal mask pack brand into the U.S. market. She also served as CEO of Carver Korea, a Unilever subsidiary, where she contributed to establishing the brand identity (BI) and strengthening the competitiveness of the AHC brand.

An official from LG Household & Health Care explained the rationale behind recruiting Seonju Lee, stating, "As a former executive at the global cosmetics company L'Oreal, she has demonstrated exceptional marketing acumen, making her the ideal candidate to lead the advancement (Step-up) of our household and cosmetics business."

Meanwhile, the company explained that former CEO Lee Jungae decided to step down before the regular personnel reshuffle so that LG Household & Health Care could prepare for the future under new leadership. The board of directors also respected Lee Jungae's decision and accepted her resignation.

Seonju Lee is scheduled to be officially appointed as CEO at an extraordinary general shareholders' meeting and board meeting to be held on November 10.