Yuhan-Kimberly's new CEO Lee Jae-hoon / Courtesy of Yuhan-Kimberly

Yuhan-Kimberly appointed Lee Jae-hoon, former CEO of Homeplus, as its new chief executive, the country's leading health and hygiene product maker said Wednesday.

Lee brings extensive experience to the role, having led Homeplus, one of the country's major discount retail chains, since 2021. In December 2023, he was promoted from president to vice chairman at Homeplus before transitioning to his new position at Yuhan-Kimberly.

Lee will officially assume his new role in March, following approval at a shareholders' meeting. Until then, the current CEO, Chin Jae-seung, will continue to lead the company.

According to Yuhan-Kimberly, Lee has accumulated over 30 years of experience and leadership in the country's consumer markets. Before his tenure at Homeplus, he held key leadership roles at Carver Korea, the now-defunct convenience store franchise By the Way and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Prior to Lee's appointment, pharmaceutical company Yuhan and hygiene product company Kimberly-Clark, both shareholder companies of Yuhan-Kimberly, released a statement expressing their support for Lee.

Yuhan-Kimberly said Lee would start his top executive position by visiting the company's business sites. Lee said he was "happy to join the company that has been operating based on eco-friendly and nature-preserving principles and developing innovative and sustainable products."