Sunghan KIM
Founder and Co-Chairman
Biography
As a Founder and Co-Chairman, Mr Kim is responsible for our company’s day-to-day management and operational performance of the global business development.

Prior to the forming of M.A.Ster Global, Mr Kim was the CEO of the Busan Lotte Hotel and executive committee member of the Lotte Hotels & Resorts Group, responsible for the overall group operational and development strategy.

In his strategy role, Mr Kim was responsible for the development of a consistent forward-looking business strategy which delivered strong profitable growth and continued differentiation for the Lotte Group, taking into consideration of the Group’s purpose, industry dynamics, the geopolitical landscape, technological change, market opportunity and societal flux, as well as decision making and expanding support for business partners to tackle climate change, green energy needs and build resilience.

Mr Kim joined Lotte Group in April 1989 beginning his career as an executive in personnel, planning and general affairs before moving into the F&B and Duty Free Divisions of Lotte Group. In 2011 and 2012, he held a number of senior roles before becoming the CEO of Lotte Hotel Busan in 2016. He was appointed to the Executive Board at the same time until he retired from Lotte Group in November 2020.

For a consecutive of three years, Mr Kim was a member of the 21st, 22nd and 23rd terms of Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  A member of the Chamber’s Industry Transportation and Tourism Committee. The Chairman of the Hotel Division of Busan Tourism Association. A member of the Korea Maritime Tourism Commission and a director of the Korea-China Youth Exchange Association.

Mr Kim was also the Vice Chairman of Seomyeon Medical Street (SMS) of the Medical Tourism Council; Director of the Busan Medical Industry Council (BmiA) and a member of the Busan Cruise Industry Development Committee. He was the Team Leader and organiser of the 6th BFAA Busan Art Association International Art Fair; Director of the Busan Tourism Convention Forum; KBS Busan Viewers Committee; Vice Chairman of the Busan Employers Federation as well as a member of the Busan Metropolitan City International Tourism City Promotion Committee and International Director of the Green Doctors Association.

In his engagement and championing collaboration with partners to advance improvements in the wider industry, Mr Kim was the recipient of some of the major awards and recognition:
  • Award for Excellence in Achieving the CEO Goals (from management of the Lotte Group).
  • the 2019 Energy Management Awards, the 6-year long lasting Grand Prize in the Hall of Fame, commendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea.
  • Order of Industrial Merit for Dongtap (Government Award for Merit in Labour Management Culture).
  • Busan Metropolitan City Industrial Peace Award (Enterprise Division), commendation from the Mayor of Busan City.
  • Proud Pukyong Award (Pukyong National University).
  • Busan Women’s Consumer Federation Audit Plaque.
  • Certification of Excellence Company Selection by the Ministry of Commerce of China.
  • Korea Electrical Safety Awards, commendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
  • MICE Selection of Outstanding Companies, commendation from the Busan City.
  • World Tourism Day Busan Tourism Award (Busan Tourism Association).
  • 2003 Asian Games Achievement Award.
Education
  • Master’s degree in Economics at Shilla University.
  • Completion of the CEO Program (AMP) at Busan National University (Graduate School of Business Management).
  • Graduate School of Business Administration from the Pukyong National University.