Former announcer Kim Min-hyung, who is now Hoban founder Kim Sang-yeol's daughter-in-law and the conglomerate's executive in charge of social contribution activities, delivers sports news in this undated photo. Courtesy of SBS

Korea's family-run conglomerates, known as "chaebols," have apparently become more open to allowing the wives of their heirs to take on roles in company management.

Earlier this month, Hoban appointed Kim Min-hyung, the daughter-in-law of founder Kim Sang-yeol, as an executive in charge of social contribution activities in the company's communications department, shortly after the 30-year-old joined the construction-to-media conglomerate.

In December 2020, the former announcer married Kim Dae-heon, the founder's oldest son, who serves as the president of planning at the nation's 33rd-largest business group in terms of assets.

Before the wedding, she worked as a temporary employee at broadcaster MBC from 2016 to 2018 and as a full-time worker at another TV network, SBS, from 2018 to 2020.

During their four years of marriage, Kim showcased some of Hoban's social contribution activities on her social media account.

Samyang Roundsquare CEO Kim Jung-soo speaks during a company event in Seoul in this September 2023 photo. Newsis

Her appointment follows recent headlines about Kim Jung-soo, CEO of Samyang Roundsquare and daughter-in-law of the food firm's late founder Chun Joong-yoon. Kim Jung-soo has been credited with driving the global enthusiasm for Buldak Spicy Noodles.

The CEO, who had been a housewife, joined the food firm in 1998 and started managing the company in 2010 with her husband, Chun In-jang.

After the couple was convicted in 2020 of embezzling company funds, she temporarily left the executive seat and returned a year later.

The 60-year-old has been recognized for initiating the development of the super-spicy instant noodles. It was during a visit to a renowned fried-rice restaurant with her daughter in 2010 that she realized the demand for ultra-spicy food.

On Sept. 9, she was appointed as one of the new vice chairpersons of the Federation of Korean Industries, becoming the business lobby's first female vice chairperson in 25 years, a role last held by Aekyung Group Chairwoman Chang Young-shin in 1999.

Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun enters the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung's house in Seoul to attend a memorial service for her mother-in-law in this Aug. 16 photo. Newsis

Over the past decades, most wives of chaebol heirs have typically taken on roles as housewives or held less prominent positions, such as leading family-owned museums. Notable examples include Hong Ra-hee, the wife of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, and Roh Soh-yeong, the estranged wife of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.

Some have had opportunities to inherit management rights following the untimely deaths of their husbands.

Examples of such businesswomen include Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun, the daughter-in-law of the conglomerate's late founder Chung Ju-yung, and Daishin Financial Group Chairwoman Lee Auh-ryung, the daughter-in-law of the financial firm's late founder Yang Jae-bong.

Despite lacking formal training in managing large companies, both Hyun and Lee have successfully guided their companies through challenging times.

In contrast, former Hanjin Shipping Chairwoman Choi Eun-young was unable to prevent the company's bankruptcy in 2017, despite inheriting control in 2006 following the death of her husband, Cho Soo-ho.