Korean corporate title
Korean corporate titles are similar to that of Japan as the South Korean corporate structure had been influenced by the Japanese model.[1]
Corporate titles
Executive level
In Korean, executive officers are referred to as imwŏn (임원, 任員), ganbu (간부, 幹部) or jungyŏk (중역, 重役). People holding the following positions have great influence and responsibilities in a company.
- Hwejang (회장, 會長) - Chairman; in Korea, "hwejang" is not always the chairman of the board, but it is often used as a title that refers to the founder or the owner of the company; unlike in the western countries where the CEO holds the most authority, a chairman is the most powerful figure in a company even without the CEO title in Korea. The chairman title entitles him or her to tremendous authority and extremely high social status.
- Bu-hwejang (부회장, 副會長) - Vice Chairman; direct subordinate to and reports to hoejang. At a family-owned chaebol company such as Samsung, bu-hwejang commonly holds the CEO title (i.e., Vice Chairman & CEO).
- Sajang (사장, 社長) - President; some companies do not have a chairman position, hence sajang at the top of the organization; equally respected as hwejang.
- Daepyo-isa (대표이사, 代表理事) - CEO; literally translated as Representative Director
- Bu-sajang (부사장, 副社長) - Senior Executive Vice President; a direct subordinate to sajang
- Jŏnmu (전무이사, 專務理事) - Executive Vice President
- Sangmu (상무이사, 常務理事) - Senior Vice President
- Isa (이사, 理事) - Director / Member of the Board
Non-executive level
- Bujang (부장, 部長) - General Manager; department head
- Chajang (차장, 次長) - Deputy General Manager; direct subordinate to bujang
- Gwajang (과장, 課長) - Manager; head of a team or section
- Daeri (대리, 代理) - Assistant Manager
Other titles
- Although there exists a Korean translation for COO (최고운영책임자, choego unyŏng chaegimja), not many companies have yet adopted it with an exception of a few multi-national companies such as Samsung and CJ. The title CFO is often used with other titles such as bu-sajang (SEVP) or Jŏnmu (EVP).
- Myŏngye hoejang (명예회장) - Honorary Chairman
See also
References
- ^ Businesstips - Business in Asia