Vice Chairman Kim Jeongsu of Samyang Foods Becomes First Woman to Receive the "Korea Management Awards"

Transforming the food industry into an export-focused global business model
"We will become a company that creates sustainable value by preserving our identity"

Samyang Foods announced on the 25th that Vice Chairman Kim Jeongsu has received the “41st Korea Management Awards” presented by the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration. Since the award was established in 1987, this is the first time it has been given to a female business leader.

The “Korea Management Awards” is the most prestigious management award in Korea, selected by the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration through a comprehensive evaluation of sustainable growth, contributions to industry and society, entrepreneurial spirit, and management philosophy. It is presented to business leaders who have contributed to the development of their industries and the growth of the national economy.

Kim Jungsoo, vice chairman of Samyang Foods (right), poses with Yang Heedong, president of the Korean Academy of Management (left), at the ceremony for the 41st Korea Management Awards held on the 24th at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Photo by Samyang Foods.

Vice Chairman Kim Jeongsu was recognized for her contribution in transforming the company’s traditional, domestically focused food business structure into an export-oriented global business model. She is credited with driving structural reform by redefining products, brands, and overall marketing according to global standards. As a result, as of 2025, about 80% of Samyang Foods’ sales are generated overseas, and operating profit has surpassed 500 billion won, ranking third in the Korean food industry.

The Society highly praised Vice Chairman Kim Jeongsu for contributing to the spread of K-food through a consumer-experience-based brand strategy, and for presenting a management direction by modernly reinterpreting the founding philosophy of “Sikjokpyeongcheon (食足平天).” The establishment of an ESG Committee under the board of directors to institutionalize socially responsible management was also cited as a key reason for her selection.

This award is also considered meaningful in that it breaks away from the traditional practice of mainly honoring leaders in core national industries and instead highly evaluates the global brand competitiveness of a consumer goods company. At the awards ceremony held on the 24th at the 60th Anniversary Memorial Hall of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Vice Chairman Kim Jeongsu stated, “I regard this award not so much as an evaluation of our past performance, but as a responsibility for the future,” adding, “I will take this as an opportunity to return to the starting line, rather than resting on our current growth.” She went on to say, “Rather than conforming to what is universally chosen in the global market, I have learned that preserving our own identity is the source of long-term competitiveness,” and added, “We will become a company that creates sustainable value through genuine connection with the world.”

Vice Chairman Kim joined Samyang Foods in 1998 and served as head of the sales division, executive vice president, and senior executive vice president before being appointed president in 2010. She has served as a co-CEO since 2018. After being appointed vice chairman in 2021, she strengthened the company’s ESG management system. She received a commendation from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy in 2017 and was awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in 2025.