Koo Bon-neung
Koo Bon-neung | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 26, 1949 Busan, South Korea |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Business executive |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Known for | Leadership in Heesung Group; Commissioner of the Korea Baseball Organization (2011–2017) |
Koo Bon-neung (; born March 26, 1949) is a prominent South Korean entrepreneur belonging to the Koo family, known for their leadership within the chaebol conglomerate LG. He has occupied multiple senior management positions within , a company that separated from LG in 1996. Additionally, he was appointed commissioner of the Korea Baseball Organization from 2011 through 2017.
Recognized as one of South Korea's wealthiest individuals, Forbes valued his fortune at approximately US$1.15 billion as of April 2024, placing him as the 30th richest person in the nation.
Biography
Originating from Busan, South Korea, Koo is the grandson of Koo In-hwoi, who established Lucky Goldstar Corporation (currently known as LG), and the son of Koo Cha-kyung. He earned a degree in business administration from Korea University in 1976.
Starting his career at Lucky Goldstar in 1976, Koo managed its Chicago branch and international operations. His career advanced with his appointment as director of Goldstar (now LG Electronics) in 1987, followed by auditor of Heesung Metals in 1988. He was promoted to vice president of Sangnong Enterprise (presently LG affiliate Heesung Electronics) in 1990 and became president of Heesung Metals two years later. When Heesung Group separated from LG in 1996, Koo assumed leadership of the group. By 2018, he held a 3.45% stake in LG Corporation.
Before becoming the 19th commissioner of the Korea Baseball Organization in 2011, Koo acted as an advisor for the baseball team LG Twins. His term as commissioner was extended unanimously in 2015 and lasted until 2017.
In 2019, legal proceedings concerning tax evasion charges involving Koo and other family members concluded with their acquittal.
Personal life
Koo has five siblings, including his eldest brother, Koo Bon-moo, who formerly chaired LG, and younger brothers Koo Bon-joon and Koo Bon-sik, who leads Heesung Electronics. His family also includes two sisters, Koo Hwon-mi and Koo Mi-jeong.
He was married to Kang Yeong-hye until her passing in 1996; together they had two children: a son, Koo Kwang-mo, and a daughter, Koo Yeon-seo. In 1998, he entered into a second marriage with Cha Gyeong-suk.
The family adheres to a system of male-line primogeniture succession. Following the death of Koo Bon-moo’s son in 1994, Koo Bon-neung’s son, Koo Kwang-mo, was adopted by Koo Bon-moo in 2004 to maintain continuity in LG’s leadership lineage.