[Asia Exclusive] 40 Years as a Seokhwa Man... A Living Witness of Korea's Seokhwa Industry

by Choi Daeyul

Published 07 Feb.2022 11:00(KST)

Moon Dong-jun, Chairman of the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association, is being interviewed at the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 28th of last month. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Moon Dong-jun, Chairman of the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association (photo), began his career at Kumho Petrochemical in 1979 and has been dedicated to the same industry for over 40 years, making him a traditional "petrochemical man."

Considering that the beginning of the domestic petrochemical industry is regarded as the completion of the Ulsan Petrochemical Industrial Complex in 1972, Chairman Moon's career runs parallel to the development of the domestic petrochemical industry. He was appointed chairman of the association in early 2019 while serving as CEO of Kumho P&B Chemical, and shortly thereafter transferred back to his "home" company, Kumho Petrochemical, where he currently serves as president. He completed a two-year term as chairman early last year and is currently serving a renewed term.

The Petrochemical Industry Association is preparing an event to commemorate its 50th anniversary this year, scheduled to coincide with the industrial complex's completion date (October 31), to promote the industry's status and pledge a new leap forward. Given that supply chain issues can arise at any time in the petrochemical industry, which is closely linked to daily life, the association is also considering commissioning an external organization to investigate the overall supply and demand situation across the industry's value chain. This is based on the judgment that supply chain issues have become important beyond individual companies' interests, extending to economic security. Moon is said to still have a strong attachment to rowing, a club activity he enjoyed during his university days, as well as hiking.