'Generation Change' at DB HiTek... Full Effort on Challenges Under Dual CEO System

Vice Chairman Choi Chang-sik to President Jo Gi-seok and Hwang Gyu-cheol System
Focus on Foundry Capacity Expansion and Power Semiconductor Business Opportunities

Jogi-seok, CEO of the Foundry Business Division (left), and Hwang Gyu-cheol, CEO of the Brand Business Division / Photo by DB HiTek

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] DB HiTek is expanding its business in the foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) and fabless (semiconductor design) sectors by implementing a generational change and establishing a dual CEO system. Although the spin-off of the fabless business was considered but ultimately failed, the personnel changes reflect a continued commitment to growing this business.

According to the semiconductor industry on the 27th, DB HiTek announced management personnel changes the day before, signaling a transition to a dual CEO system for the Foundry Business Division and the Brand Business Division. Vice President Cho Gi-seok, who oversaw sales and production, was appointed as CEO and President of the Foundry Business Division, while Hwang Gyu-cheol, a former Samsung Electronics executive who was recruited this year as head of the Brand Business Division, was appointed as CEO and President of the Brand Business Division.

Choi Chang-sik, who had been leading DB HiTek, will serve as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Having been appointed CEO of Dongbu HiTek in 2012 and leading DB HiTek for 10 years, the generational change was made this year as he was born in 1954.

This personnel change reflects the intention to enhance expertise and strengthen responsible management in the foundry and fabless sectors respectively. By appointing separate CEOs for each division, the company aims to increase specialization in detailed planning and execution while assigning clear responsibilities.

Industry insiders also view this as a move to strengthen the Brand Business Division, which handles the fabless business. Although the spin-off of the Brand Business Division was officially considered last July, the plan was scrapped due to opposition from minority shareholders. This personnel change reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to growing the Brand Business Division, which designs and sells system semiconductors such as display driver ICs (DDI) for LCDs.

A DB HiTek representative said, "Under the new system, we will tackle various challenges emerging in the new year. We plan to expand the 8-inch foundry capacity, which was postponed this year, next year to respond to the continued semiconductor market downturn and to focus on developing power semiconductor technology, our next growth engine."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.