Chairman Huh Chang-soo of GS Group (Photos: GS Group) / Chairman Huh Jin-soo of the Board of GS Caltex

President Huh Yong-soo of GS Energy / President Huh Se-hong of GS Caltex

 Vice President Huh Jun-hong of GS Caltex / President Huh Yun-hong of GS Construction

GS Group conducted a huge personnel shake up for the group and its affiliates, including naming Huh Se-hong as president of GS Caltex, a major affiliate, signaling the 4th generation of the founder of the group taking over the group’s management.

Chairman Huh Jin-soo has been named as the board chairman of the oil refinery. The new president is the eldest son of former Chairman Huh Dong-soo of GS Caltex.

The personnel reshuffle involved promotions of one president, six vice presidents and 14 managing directors and 23 directors, which will be made official when the board of the each affiliate company approves them.

An official of the group said the personnel shake up took place as a preemptive move to prepare for the changes coming in the energy industry in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution and at the same to find new growth engines.

President Huh Yong-soo of GS EPS has been assigned to take over the helm of GS Energy as president. He is a son of Huh Wan-koo, the late chairman of Seungsan Group. Huh Seo-hong, a son of Chairman Huh Kwang-soo of Samyang International, has been named as director of the Management Planning Sector of GS Energy.

Managing Director Huh Jun-hong of the GS Caltex Corporate Personnel Sector got the promotion as vice president to take over the Lubrication Oil Sector of GS Caltex while Huh Yun-hong, a son of GS Group Chairman Huh Chang-soo, has been promoted to vice president of GS Construction.

The head of South Korean energy-to-retail giant GS Group urged CEOs of affiliates to seek ways to make inroad into the Southeast Asian market by taking Thailand as a strategic base, the company said recently.

At a meeting with GS CEOs held in Bangkok, Chairman Huh Chang-soo stressed the importance of the market, citing the fast economic growth and increasing demand to build infrastructure.

“Thailand’s economy is expected to grow 4 percent (this year) driven by (the government’s) strong economic development.” Huh said. “It is highly valued as an important strategic base for GS and its plan of expanding its presence in ASEAN market. We should also consider making strategic investment by establishing a bridgehead in Thailand for (our expansion to) ASEAN market.”

Pointing out GS Homeshopping’s entry to Thai market, Huh asked CEOs to create an ecosystem where conglomerates can go together with small and medium-sized enterprises and startups by offering them access to the group’s global networks. “vWe should play a bridging role that help SMEs enter new markets with quality products and startups going global.” he said.

A list of GS CEOs attended the meeting including Huh Jin-soo, chairman of GS Caltex, Huh Myeong-su, vice chairman of GS Engineering and Construction, and Huh Tae-soo, vice chairman of GS Homeshopping. They reviewed global operations by GS affiliates and discussed ways of expanding their presence into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to officials.

GS will have greater opportunities in participating in a list of energy and plant building projects in Thailand, where a group of global enterprises have been making inroads for its economic potential and competitiveness, they added.

GS established the joint venture True GS with local companies in Thailand for home shopping operations. True GS broadcasts 24 hours a day across the country, selling products via e-commerce platform and telesales.