HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun is introduced as a former member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in the Republic of Korea Army, according to a banner he sent with barbecued meals to encourage Naval ROTC members during winter training at the Naval Education Command in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, January. Screenshot from HD Hyundai's YouTube channel
Family-controlled conglomerates prioritize public reputation
By Park Jae-hyuk
The military enlistment of heirs from Korea's family-controlled conglomerates, or chaebol, has long attracted public attention.
Scrutiny especially intensified in the early 2010s, when it was revealed that chaebol scions born in the 1960s and 1970s had higher military exemption rates than ordinary Korean men. At the time, it was also found that exemptions for the privileged class had increased with younger generations.
However, the service records of chaebol owner family members have been less newsworthy in recent years, as more young heirs from major conglomerates choose to fulfill their mandatory military service as able-bodied Korean men.
Born in the 1980s, these heirs are now playing significant roles within their respective family-controlled business groups, helping them avoid public criticism of undue privilege.
HD Hyundai, for example, has actively promoted the military service of Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, who served as an officer in the Korean Army Commando Regiment from 2005 to 2007 after joining the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in the Republic of Korea Army. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Asan Foundation Chairman Chung Mong-joon.
Amid ongoing efforts to strengthen its naval vessel business, the shipbuilding giant mentioned the younger Chung's military service in its recent press release regarding his visit to the United States Naval Academy earlier this month. The company highlighted that he had sent barbecued meals to Korea's Naval ROTC members during their winter training in January and a coffee trailer to an Army ROTC training site in January 2023.
Similarly, heirs of Hanwha Group, a competitor of HD Hyundai in the warship market, have upheld their family tradition of serving as officers in the ROK Air Force.
Both Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and Hanwha Life Insurance President Kim Dong-won followed in the footsteps of their father, Chairman Kim Seung-youn, who also served as an Air Force officer. Their younger brother, Hanwha Galleria Vice President Kim Dong-seon, is the only exception, as he was exempted from military duty as an Asian Games gold medalist in dressage.
Kolon Group Vice Chairman Lee Kyu-ho, who served in the ROK Army despite holding U.S. citizenship, voluntarily joined the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon during his military service. After completing his duty, he relinquished his U.S. citizenship.
Other examples of young chaebol heirs who did not dodge their military duty include SK Networks President Choi Sung-hwan, who served in the ROK Marine Corps, and LS MnM CEO Koo Dong-whi, who served as industrial technical personnel.
While the fathers of Lee, Choi, and Koo also completed their military service, some business tycoons who were exempted from duty have children who chose to serve.
Then-Republic of Korea Navy LTJG Chey Min-jung reports her discharge at the Incheon Naval Sector Defense Command in this November 2017 photo. Courtesy of ROK Navy
Chey Min-jung, the second-oldest daughter of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, is one such example. She served as an ROK Navy officer between 2014 and 2017, despite military service not being mandatory for women in Korea.
In 2022, it was belatedly revealed that Chung Hae-chan, the oldest son of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, had joined the ROK Army a year earlier — unlike his father, who was exempted from service due to being overweight.
Like the Shinsegae chairman, most other male descendants of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chull, including Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun, were also exempted due to medical conditions or other reasons.
Among the heads of Korea's five largest family-controlled conglomerates, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, the youngest among them, is the only one who completed his military service, having served as industrial technical personnel.
"More heirs of family-controlled conglomerates are expected to fulfill their military duty, as the public has become more sensitive to chaebol privilege," said Park Ju-gun, founder of corporate tracker Leaders Index.
"A chaebol family's avoidance of military duty now significantly affects the company's reputation and stock price. Fulfilling military duty also helps companies portray their leaders as socially responsible citizens."
English (United States) ·