WAYNE, NJ –Hankook Tire, the seventh-largest and one of the fastest growing tire companies in the world, announced that it has appointed Byeong Jin Lee as its new President of Hankook Tire America Corp., effective Jan. 1, 2013.  In addition to his duties as Hankook Tire America President, Mr. Lee will also function as COO for the company’s business operations throughout the Americas including growth and marketing strategies for the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Byeong Jin Lee will be replacing Soo Il Lee who will assume the position of President and COO at Hankook’s China regional Headquarters after spending the past three years as President of Hankook Tire America and COO for Hankook business units in the Americas.  During Mr. Lee’s tenure, Hankook Tire America has enjoyed positive sales and market share growth, highlighted by reaching $1 Billion in U.S. market sales for 2011, the first time in the company’s thirty year history in the United States.

Byeong Jin Lee has most recently served as President and COO at Hankook’s China Regional Headquarters.

“My time at Hankook Tire America has been one of the most rewarding during my twenty five years with Hankook Tire” said Mr. Soo Il Lee.  “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our employees and customers for their hard work and dedication to the Hankook brand.  The growth that we have been able to achieve in the Americas is a testament to that dedication and a key component of our continued efforts to make Hankook Tire one of the top tire manufacturers in the industry.”

Additionally, Hankook Tire has named Jeong Ho Park as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Hankook Tire America Headquarters.  Park will begin on Jan. 1, 2013.