12
Sep
Private equity in South Korea: Behind the headlines
Private equity in South Korea has transitioned from a domestic to global focused strategy displaying the maturity and sophistication of the industry. As GPs are partnering with Korean corporates to expand into global markets, domestically they are increasingly focusing on governance reforms, operational efficiency and digital transformation. Leading GPs discuss the opportunity set, domestically and abroad.
- What are the key areas of focus for Korean GPs?
- Where do GPs source deals in 2025 and beyond? How large of an opportunity are carve-outs?
- Are we seeing an increased push for value creation?
- What are the expectations in terms of valuations and liquidity in the next 12 months?
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SpeakersSung Park Managing Director Asia Alternatives
Young-Gi Han Partner VIG Partners
Yu Jin Jhang Partner Ark & Partners
Soomin Kim Managing Partner UCK Partners
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Sung Park is a Managing Director of Asia Alternatives and is based in the Firm’s Hong Kong office. Ms. Park is on the Firm’s Investment Committee and co-leads Asia Alternatives’ investments in Korea and Japan. Ms. Park is primarily responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence, deal execution and portfolio management of private equity fund investments and direct co-investments in Japan and Korea. Ms. Park also co-leads the Firm’s Special Situations and Secondaries and is an integral member of Asia Alternatives’ market research team. Ms. Park has over 17 years of experience in private equity investing, management consulting and business operations in Asia. Prior to joining Asia Alternatives, Ms. Park was a Senior Consultant at Corporate Value Associates (CVA) in the Seoul office, focusing on corporate strategy, operational improvement and due diligence for Korean conglomerates and multinational companies in technology, financial services and consumer industries. Previously, she worked at Sony Group as a product manager of semiconductor and electronic devices, focusing on marketing and sales functions. Ms. Park holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Seoul National University. She is fluent in Korean and conversant in Japanese.
Young-Gi Han is a Partner at VIG Partners. Young-Gi joined VIG Partners in 2011 and is responsible for the full spectrum of PE activities, from deal origination and execution to fundraising.
Prior to joining VIG Partners, Young-Gi was an Associate in the Investment Banking team at Credit Suisse.
Young-Gi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Seoul National University.
Yu Jin Jhang is a Partner at Ark & Partners. Prior to joining the firm, he worked as an investment professional at TPG Capital, where he was based in Seoul and was involved in the firm’s various buyouts and growth equity investments in Korea. Prior to TPG Capital, he served as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank. Yu Jin received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Korea University.
Soomin Kim is the founder and managing partner of UCK Partners.
Before establishing UCK Partners, Mr. Kim was a partner of Bain & Company, where he set up and headed the firm’s Private Equity Group and M&A Group in Korea. Mr. Kim also worked in Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong.
Mr. Kim earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Seoul National University.