Hankook & Company appoints CDO

Seongjin Kim is the new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. His appointment to this role takes effect immediately and as CDO, Kim takes responsibility for further accelerating the group’s digital transformation.

As head of the company’s Digital Strategy Department, Kim will establish an innovation model based on advanced digital technologies and build information and communication technology strategies. He will also function as a ‘control tower’ for the IT area by building the group’s data process and analysis system, processing IT-related information, and integrating software systems.

Joining Hankook with 25 years of experience in the digital and IT sectors, Seongjin Kim most recently worked within Google Cloud Asia-Pacific’s manufacturing industry division. Before that he served in Samsung Group, SAP, General Electric (GE) and Hyundai Elevator. At GE, he developed industrial digital platforms and IoT businesses, and conducted a smart factory project for manufacturing innovation. While at Hyundai Elevator as director of Digital Innovation Division, he led the establishment of corporate digital innovation strategies such as introducing AI and other new digital technologies, cloud-driven innovation, and work methods improvement.

Incorporating AI & big data

Bringing his expertise in the digital field, Kim is expected to expand Hankook & Company’s digital-based innovation by further incorporating artificial intelligence and big data to the entire ecosystem, ranging from production to distribution, sales and customer service.

“We are delighted to welcome the new chief digital officer into our team in line with the digital transformation strategy,” says Jongseon Ahn, chief operating officer of Hankook & Company. “Together with his expertise and innovative DNA of Hankook & Company, we expect great results that can further enhance our leadership and competitiveness.”

“Hankook & Company is an innovation-driven organisation and I’m excited to be part of it,” says Seongjin Kim. “I’m anticipating achieving many new things together and create synergy among brilliant talents.”