Samuel Choi will take over Kumho Tire USA Inc. as its next CEO. He succeeds Harry Choi, who is stepping down after six years leading the tire maker's U.S. operations.

Despite sharing the same last name, the two men are not related.

Samuel Choi has spent more than 28 years with Kumho. Part of his management experience was leading sales planning in the Middle East and Europe with a specific focus on the French market. He most recently served as president of Kumho Mexico.

He takes over operations in the U.S. as Kumho searches for its next global chairman. Jong Ho Kim has recently resigned, and the company says it has yet to pick his successeor.

“I am looking forward to making a positive impact on Kumho’s brand presence in the United States," says Samuel Choi. "Our direction and core principles of consistency, stability and dependability will still continue along with a mission to substantially build profit and enhance our ability to effectively manage our focus on the quality and safety of our products, services, and solutions."

Harry Choi told Kumho tire dealers attending the company's dealer meeting that he planned to return to Korea.

Harry Choi plans to leave Kumho. At the closing dinner of the company's dealer meeting on Dec. 5, he told the 30 dealers and their guests that he would be leaving the company and planned to return to Korea.