According to a report by Leaders Index, 1,303 executives were promoted across top 30 major conglomerates between Aug. 1 to Dec. 20, marking a 9.6 percent decline from 1,442 promotions last year.
The decline was particularly pronounced in senior management positions, with promotions to president-level positions falling by 37.5 percent to 20 from 32 last year. Vice chairman appointments decreased to 4 from 11 in the previous year.
"Groups are prioritizing efficiency over expansion amid growing political uncertainties at home and abroad, coupled with prolonged economic downturn driven by high interest rates and inflation," the analysis firm said.
Among the top 10 conglomerates, Hanwha Group showed the steepest decline, with promotions dropping 37.4 percent to 62 executives from 99 last year. GS Group and Shinsegae Group followed with decreases of 33.3 percent and 29.6 percent respectively.
Samsung Group, Korea's largest conglomerate, recorded the smallest decrease among the top 10 groups, with promotions declining by just 1.9 percent to 260 from 265. Samsung Electronics, the group's flagship company, promoted 139 executives, down from 145 last year.
Notable appointments included Chung Yoo-kyung as Shinsegae Group chairwoman and Jung Kyo-sun as Hyundai Homeshopping chairman, marking the only chairman-level promotions this year.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.