Global electronics innovator LG announced that Deuk Soo Ahn, its current South Africa President, will be stepping down from his role after serving two and a half fruitful years at the organisation’s helm. Mr Ahn will be replaced by Jinkook Kang from 1 December 2021.
An invaluable leader and mentor since June 2019, Mr Ahn played a critical role in building and nurturing the LG brand in South Africa. He was also responsible for fostering new business opportunities and accelerating brand exposure in the local market. Meeting the unique needs of South Africans through an expanded product offering was always part of his vision for the brand’s presence in the country.
One of the ways Mr Ahn achieved this was by opening the LG factory and distribution centre in Cornubia, Durban, in January 2020. The R21-million factory provided a much-needed boost for the country’s manufacturing industry and economy. It was also a significant milestone for LG South Africa, signifying the start of a new era of local production, allowing the company to better serve the country and export products to the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Under Mr Ahn’s leadership, LG South Africa grew and employed hundreds of people across its business subsections, contributing to an increased employment rate in the country. The president also navigated the company through trying times, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the July 2021 riots. LG’s Durban factory was among the 40 000+ South African businesses looted and ransacked in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Mr Ahn led the management, sales, marketing, and support teams to ensure operations were back up and running swiftly ahead of the holiday season. Despite the looting crisis, LG South Africa increased annual growth by 30%, compared to the previous financial year. During this time, Mr Ahn worked tirelessly to reaffirm the brand’s commitment to serving the South African market and its people over the long term.
Another part of Mr Ahn’s great legacy is the LG Cares initiatives he proudly supported. Some highlights include the brand’s partnership with Forge Academy to promote career opportunities for young girls in the ICT sector and the recently launched AgriTek Pods project in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, where community members can sustainably grow hydroponic herbs and vegetables. Giving back to communities in need is another cause that is close to his heart – Mr Ahn championed support of the Kolisi Foundation and Stor-Age blanket drive, which provided blankets to under-resourced communities across the country during the winter months.
“Making life more meaningful through innovation has been my mission for the past two and a half years at LG. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a subdivision of a global electronics giant, empowering South Africans to lead better and healthier lives through technology,” comments Mr Ahn.
“It has been an absolute honour to serve a country I will always hold very dear and to be part of LG’s journey to build a better society for all. I wish the LG South Africa team all the best for 2022 and beyond. I have no doubt that Mr. Kang will continue to lead the team to continue innovating, growing, and expanding LG’s presence and positive impact on the country,” he concludes.
