In a significant move for LX International, the company has announced the appointment of Lee Young-Joo, head of its human resources department, as one of five new directors in its latest round of executive reshuffling. This decision marks another milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership team with experienced professionals.
Lee’s new role is particularly noteworthy as she continues to break barriers in South Korea’s male-dominated corporate world. Her career has already been ground-breaking, having made history in 2015 as the first woman to lead a Korean trading firm’s overseas branch. At that time, Lee was appointed as the chief representative of LG International’s Almaty office in Kazakhstan. Her appointment was not only a landmark moment for women in the industry but was also based on her strong academic background at Saint Petersburg State University in Russia.
This year’s reshuffle also comes on the back of other notable diversity-driven changes within LX International. In 2022, the company appointed Sohn Lan, CEO of Market Makers, as its first female outside director. Sohn’s appointment was seen as a key move in response to a 2020 amendment to South Korea’s Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, which required listed companies with assets exceeding 2 trillion won (about $1.4 billion) to ensure their boards were not made up entirely of men or women. While the legal amendment was a significant factor, LX International also credited Sohn’s extensive expertise in the North American market as a major reason for her selection.
The reshuffling at LX International signals a clear push towards enhancing corporate governance and improving adaptability in an increasingly volatile global market. The firm, which has long been a major player in the trading and investment sector, is showing a firm commitment to evolving its leadership structure to better face the challenges ahead. The inclusion of leaders like Lee and Sohn suggests that the company is prioritizing both expertise and diversity as it looks to cement its position in a rapidly changing economic environment.
For Lee, her appointment as a director is yet another step in her trailblazing career. From breaking new ground in international business to now shaping the strategic direction of LX International at the highest level, she is a key figure in the company’s ongoing transformation. As she takes on this new role, Lee’s extensive experience in human resources and international operations will likely play a crucial part in steering the company toward further success in the years to come.
