Samsung's Ko Dong-jin and Hyundai's Gong Young-woon... Ruling and Opposition Parties' 'Business Leader Recruitment' War

People Power Party recruits 'Galaxy legend' Ko Dong-jin
Democratic Party welcomes 'Hyundai Motor strategist' Gong Young-woon
Economic policy competition expected to intensify ahead of general election

The ruling and opposition parties have recruited prominent figures from the business world. Former Samsung Electronics Mobile Division President Ko Dong-jin, known as the 'Galaxy Legend,' joined the People Power Party, while former Hyundai Motor strategic planning executive Gong Young-woon joined the Democratic Party. The competition between the ruling and opposition parties over discovering 'future industry growth engines' is intensifying.

On the morning of the 22nd, the People Power Party held a welcoming ceremony at the National Assembly for former Samsung Electronics President Ko Dong-jin. Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman, introduced him as "a symbol of South Korea's IT development over the past 40 years," adding, "If you join us, I am confident that the path ahead will be much newer and more splendid."

Ko, born in 1961 in Seoul, graduated from Kyungseong High School in Seoul and studied Industrial Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University. He joined Samsung Electronics as a regular employee in 1984 and held various positions including head of the European Research Center, product planning team leader, and development director, eventually serving as head of the IM division. His greatest achievement is credited to planning the 'Galaxy Note' series during his time as head of the wireless business development management team, earning him the nickname 'Galaxy Legend' in the industry.

He expressed his aspirations, saying, "If I have the opportunity to work at the National Assembly, I will approach it with the mindset of pouring a clean bucket of water into the Han River every day," adding, "I will start humbly, work hard, and deliver results through my efforts." Although Ko was expected to run in Suwon-mu, Gyeonggi Province, where Samsung Electronics headquarters is located, there are also prospects within and outside the party that he might be strategically nominated to run in the Gangnam area of Seoul or be selected as a proportional representative.

People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is shaking hands with former Samsung Electronics President Ko Dong-jin at the talent recruitment welcome ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, the Democratic Party held a welcoming ceremony led by party leader Lee Jae-myung and recruited former Hyundai Motor executive Gong Young-woon. Gong, born in 1964 in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, graduated from Dongmyeong High School in Jinju and Seoul National University with a degree in Business Administration. A former reporter for Munhwa Ilbo, he joined Hyundai Motor in 2005 as a director-level executive. He served as head of the strategic development team, overseas policy team, and public relations office, and was regarded as a 'strategic planning expert' with quick decision-making skills.

A Democratic Party talent committee official introduced him, saying, "We expect him to contribute to the party's economic policy production, including creating new growth engines." Gong explained his motivation for entering politics: "It is urgent to discover new growth momentum to prevent the economy from falling into a vicious cycle," adding, "As a member of the Democratic Party, I will seek breakthroughs in new technologies that will innovate existing industries and change the competitive landscape."

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether an environment will be established in the 22nd National Assembly for these 'economic experts' to demonstrate their capabilities. Ahead of the 21st general election, the political sphere also recruited many business figures. Notably, Democratic Party members included Yoon Young-chan, former vice president of Naver; Lee Yong-woo, former CEO of Kakao Bank; and Hong Sung-guk, former CEO of Mirae Asset Daewoo. However, Hong recently announced he would not run again, criticizing the 'regressive political structure.' He pointed out the limitation that even proposals for economic policy development are disparaged as politically motivated tactics.

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