New President to Head Up Hankook Tire America

Hankook Tire has given word that, as of December 1, Soo Il Lee will take over from H. Y. (Greg) Pae as president of Hankook Tire America Corp. In addition to his new role, Lee will also serve as COO for the company’s business operations throughout the Americas, and in this capacity will be responsible for the overall growth and marketing strategies for the US, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Following several years in the US, Pae will return to the company’s global headquarters in Seoul.

Mr. Lee began his career with Hankook in 1987, and during his 22 years with the company has held a variety of positions including managing Hankook’s business operations in Saudi Arabia (1998 to 2000) and France (2001 to 2003) and as marketing strategy team manager in Korea (2004 to 2006). He was appointed to his current position of vice president, Marketing Department in December 2006. Lee has a Master’s Degree in Business from Michigan State University.

Upon his return to South Korea, Mr. Pae will assume become vice president of Hankook Tire’s Marketing Strategy Planning Division. In this position he will oversee the company’s global marketing strategy and supply chain management departments, with responsibility for global marketing, product planning, distribution channels, new market development and supply chain management including planning, innovation, and export logistics.

“When I arrived in North America more than six years ago, I came with a passion to succeed,” said Pae. “I am leaving now with a great deal of pride in the results we have achieved in terms of increasing Hankook brand value, expanding distribution and sales, growing our market share, and managing our business assets. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the dedicated employees and Hankook customers who have helped to shape our success. My experience here has been invaluable and I look forward to the new responsibilities and challenges that await as we press forward in our mission to make Hankook Tire a top five global manufacturer and one of the most respected companies in our industry.”