The promotion is Kim's first since she became vice chair in December 2021. Kim joined the noodle maker during the 1998 financial crisis and launched the Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen, or Buldak, brand in 2012, transforming a struggling domestic player into one of South Korea's most-watched export stories.
Samyang said the move reflects the need for unified leadership as overseas sales now account for about 80 percent of revenue, with sales subsidiaries and plants taking shape across the United States, China and Europe.
A new factory in Jiaxing, China, is under construction, and the company is reviewing additional regional liaison offices.
Under Kim's watch, revenue climbed to 2.35 trillion won ($1.56 billion) in 2025 from 642 billion won in 2021, while the operating margin more than doubled to 22 percent from 10 percent.
The momentum carried into this year: Samyang on Wednesday reported record first-quarter revenue of 714.4 billion won, up 35 percent on year, driven by a 215 percent surge in European sales.
"The promotion of Vice Chair Kim Jung-soo is aimed at reinforcing responsible management for global expansion and corporate value," said a Samyang Foods spokesperson, adding that the company will concentrate group-wide resources on cementing its overseas competitiveness under her leadership from June.
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