[비즈한국] The news of a romantic relationship between soccer player Lee Kang-in (24) and Park Sang-hyo (26) has drawn intense attention to Doosan000150 Group. Park Sang-hyo is a member of the Doosan Group owner family and the eldest daughter of Park Jin-won (57), Vice Chairman of Doosan Bobcat Korea. Vice Chairman Park Jin-won is considered a frontrunner for the next Doosan Group chairmanship. If he is appointed as the chairman, Lee Kang-in would effectively be dating the daughter of the leader of Korea's 18th-largest conglomerate.
The Doosan Group has traditionally rotated the chairmanship among its owner family members. The group entered the era of third-generation management when the late Chairman Park Yong-kon took office in 1981. Since then, his brothers—the late Park Yong-oh, Park Yong-sung (85), Park Yong-hyun (82), and Park Yong-man (80)—took turns serving as chairman. Their terms ranged from as short as three years to as long as ten years. In 2016, the group appointed the current chairman, Park Jeong-won (64), who is the eldest son of Park Yong-kon, marking the transition from third-generation to fourth-generation management.
Chairman Park Jeong-won has been in power for 10 years. His term as Chairman of the Board for Doosan Corporation expires in March 2027. The business community anticipates that a new chairman will be appointed upon the expiration of his term, as the Chairman of the Board of Doosan Corporation has historically served as the group chairman. While his term could be extended to March 2030 if reappointed, many believe it is unlikely the group will allow one person to hold the chairmanship for 14 years, given Doosan’s family traditions.
The business world is keeping a close eye on who will succeed Chairman Park Jeong-won. It is known that the Doosan Group determines its chairman through a unanimous decision by the owner family members. The ownership structure also prevents any single person from unilaterally appointing the leader, as shares in Doosan Corporation are not concentrated in one person's hands. Chairman Park Jeong-won and his specially related persons hold a 40.11% stake (based on common shares), and this group of related persons includes 31 individuals.
Park Ji-won (60), Chairman of Doosan Enerbility034020, and Vice Chairman Park Jin-won of Doosan Bobcat Korea are being mentioned as candidates for the next Doosan Group chairmanship. Chairman Park Ji-won is the second son of the late Park Yong-kon and the younger brother of Chairman Park Jeong-won, while Vice Chairman Park Jin-won is the eldest son of Park Yong-sung.
Industry observers evaluate Chairman Park Ji-won as having a more prominent presence. Serving concurrently as Vice Chairman of Doosan Corporation, he frequently makes public appearances. When Doosan Enerbility was selected as the preferred bidder for the Czech nuclear power plant project last year, Chairman Park Ji-won was actively engaged in local efforts in the Czech Republic.
There is also speculation that Vice Chairman Park Jin-won might be the successor for the sake of balance, as a monopoly of the chairmanship by Park Yong-kon’s branch could spark friction among other family members. However, Vice Chairman Park Jin-won does not participate in the boards of major Doosan affiliates and rarely appears in the public eye.
Vice Chairman Park Jin-won has recently come into the spotlight unexpectedly due to the rumors of a relationship between his eldest daughter, Park Sang-hyo, and soccer player Lee Kang-in. The two were spotted together at a tennis match at Roland-Garros in Paris, France, on May 26. The atmosphere suggests the relationship is effectively acknowledged. Doosan Group stated that nothing has been decided regarding the next chairman at this time.