[The Biz] 260929 [THE CEO] Kim Nam-jung, Chairman of Dongwon Group
For Kim Nam-jung, Chairman of Dongwon Group, “tuna” is both a source of pride and a legacy he has had to move beyond. The tuna his father, Honorary Chairman Kim Jae-chul, brought in from the sea helped establish Dongwon as one of South Korea’s leading fisheries companies and laid the foundation for its subsequent expansion into the food business.
Because the foundation his father built was so solid, simply maintaining it was not enough for Kim, a second-generation leader. He needed to create a new Dongwon with his own identity. He spent a relatively long period learning the business firsthand. He worked as a production employee at a factory and traveled around markets selling products.
After completing his studies in the United States, he learned the business through major affiliates and overseas subsidiaries. After taking a leading role in group management, he expanded Dongwon’s business scope through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investments. Kim’s decisions played a significant role in transforming the company from one primarily focused on tuna and fisheries into a business spanning food, packaging materials, and logistics.
After he was promoted to vice chairman, Dongwon began developing a structure that no longer relied on a single line of business. The group brought livestock distribution and logistics companies into its portfolio, while its packaging materials business expanded into secondary battery materials. After becoming chairman, Kim consolidated its previously dispersed food affiliates under one umbrella to strengthen the group’s push into global markets.
The businesses he expanded over time are now beginning to produce results one by one. With not only its food business but also packaging materials and logistics contributing to performance, Dongwon Industries is looking to surpass KRW 10 trillion in annual revenue for the first time this year. Its cash-generating capacity and financial structure are also improving. In other words, the business diversification Kim has pursued over the past decade or so is beginning to show results in the numbers.
Marketing featuring global models is also continuing. With BTS Jin at the forefront, Dongwon is promoting key products such as Yangban Seaweed to overseas consumers and strengthening its K-Food image.
Last year, the group also brought Dongwon F&B, its core food affiliate, fully under its umbrella. Through a comprehensive share exchange, Dongwon F&B became a 100%-owned subsidiary of Dongwon Industries and was delisted.
Dongwon F&B is at the heart of the group’s food business, with products ranging from canned tuna and seaweed to refrigerated foods and dairy products. Bringing the company in as a wholly owned subsidiary was not simply about strengthening control; it also laid the groundwork for integrating the group’s domestic and overseas food affiliates under a unified strategy.
The effects of streamlining the business structure are now reflected in its financial performance. Dongwon Industries’ consolidated revenue remained around KRW 9 trillion for several years, reaching KRW 9.0263 trillion in 2022, KRW 8.9486 trillion in 2023, and KRW 8.9442 trillion in 2024. Last year, however, revenue returned to a growth trajectory, rising 7.2% year-on-year to KRW 9.5837 trillion. Operating profit also exceeded KRW 500 billion.
In the first half of this year, Dongwon Industries recorded KRW 5.102 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 297.6 billion in operating profit, representing year-on-year increases of 9.1% and 15.1%, respectively. The market expects Dongwon Industries to surpass KRW 10 trillion in annual revenue for the first time since its founding this year. According to the annual revenue forecast compiled by financial information provider FnGuide, the figure is expected to reach KRW 10.2554 trillion.
If “Dongwon at KRW 10 trillion” is an interim report card on the choices Kim has made so far, “Global Dongwon” will be the report card he receives in the years ahead. Having inherited his father’s Dongwon, Kim Nam-jung now faces the real test of whether he can complete a Dongwon that
#JIN #JinxDongwonTuna @dwtuna_official@BTS_twt #동원참치 #방탄소년단진
.@BTS_twt breaks the record for the biggest streaming year of all-time by a group on Spotify with over 9.388 billion streams in 2026 (still counting), previously held by Fuerza Regida (9.37B; 2025).
[NEWS] #BTS officially set a new record for the biggest streaming year by a group in Spotify history! 🌎
1. BTS (2026) — 9,38B* 👑
2. Fuerza Regida (2025) — 9.37B
3. BTS (2021) — 8.65B 👑
CONGRATULATIONS BTS #ARIASBTS
.@BTS_twt's 'they don't know 'bout us' has now sold over 500,000 units in the US, becoming the 4th song from “ARIRANG” to reach the milestone ('SWIM', 'FYA' & 'Aliens'.)
SUGA departed from Incheon Airport bound for Atlanta. However, the purpose of the trip is unknown—whether it is for personal business, or if he is transiting there before heading to Bogotá to continue the BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'.
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@BTS_twt#BTS#방탄소년단#SUGA