[단독] Kim Dong-gwan directly leads Hanwha’s aerospace business

Hanwha Solutions President Kim Dong-gwan, the eldest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon, will directly lead Hanwha’s aerospace business this time following new and renewable energy.

According to Hanwha on the 7th, the Aerospace Business Task Force (TF), in which President Kim Dong-gwan participates, was recently formed. It was confirmed that the role of TF was to establish the future strategic direction for Hanwha Group’s aviation and space business. An official from Hanwha explained that “a TF will be operated that brings together key personnel from affiliates related to aviation and space,” and “the TF will act as an organization under the direct control of President Kim Dong-gwan.”

It is known that Hanwha Aerospace’s aviation engine, Hanwha Systems’ satellite, and urban aviation mobility (UAM) personnel will participate in the TF, centering on Hanwha’s defense industry. It is also expected to join the technical staff of Setrec I, the first satellite specialized company in Korea, acquired by Aerospace.

It has already been predicted to some extent that the role of President Kim Dong-gwan will increase in the field of Hanwha’s aviation and space business.

He is also serving as the president of Hanwha Solutions and the head of Hanwha’s strategic division and is scheduled to be appointed as the executive director of Hanwha Aerospace on the 29th. Specifically, it is not known what position he will take on, but it is expected that he will first take on the role of TF’s’Director’.

In addition, in January, Aerospace acquired about 30% of Setrec I and became the largest single shareholder.

Then, what is the reason why Hanwha formed the TF for the aviation and space business led by President Kim Dong-gwan? In related industries, it is evaluated that Hanwha’s defense portfolio is equipped with important technologies for expansion of the aerospace business with the acquisition of Setrec I.

However, currently, the level of collaboration is limited to the situation where related functions and technologies are scattered by affiliates. TF’s role is to put them together and draw a specific blueprint. It is a will to put a full-fledged drive on the aviation and space business.

In addition to President Kim, Hyun-woo Shin, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, and Seung-mo Kim, CEO of Hanwha Corporation’s defense division, joined Setrec I as non-paid non-executive directors. This also shows that President Kim is focusing on creating synergy between affiliates and investment companies.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to how President Kim, who has emphasized that “the first virtue of managing the aerospace business is social responsibility,” will look as he leads related businesses in the future.

[이유섭 기자 / 최근도 기자]
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