Samyang Foods has appointed Vice Chairperson Kim Jung-soo as its new Chairperson, formalizing a leadership transition aimed at strengthening global management and accelerating overseas expansion amid rapidly increasing international sales.
The company announced that its board of directors approved Kim’s promotion during a meeting held on May 12, with the official appointment set to take effect on June 1. The move comes roughly five years after she was promoted to vice chairperson in 2021.
Samyang Foods said the decision reflects the need to reinforce responsible management and centralized leadership as the company’s overseas business continues to expand rapidly. International sales now account for approximately 80% of total revenue, with major markets including the United States, China, and Europe driving growth.
The company has been actively expanding its global footprint through the establishment of overseas subsidiaries and production facilities. Samyang is currently constructing a manufacturing plant in Jiaxing, China, and is also considering additional regional offices to strengthen its global operating network.
<>Global Growth Built on “Buldak” Phenomenon
Kim Jung-soo is widely credited with transforming Samyang Foods into a global food company through the international success of its “Buldak” (fire noodle) brand.
Originally gaining popularity through viral content on YouTube and social media, Buldak Ramen evolved under Kim’s leadership from a viral sensation into a structured export-driven brand strategy. The company successfully positioned “K-spicy” as a global food category, expanding product offerings tailored to regional tastes and building stronger distribution networks across key markets.
Industry observers say Samyang’s growth strategy under Kim reflects a shift from product-centric success to brand-system expansion, leveraging global demand into sustained business growth rather than short-term popularity.
<>From Supply Constraints to Scalable Global Production
A key element of Samyang’s transformation has been its shift in production strategy. The company moved from a Korea-centered manufacturing model to a more proactive global supply approach, expanding capacity in anticipation of rising international demand.
Rather than treating supply shortages as a limitation, Samyang strategically used them to reinforce brand momentum while simultaneously investing in production capacity expansion, export-oriented lines, and global manufacturing infrastructure.
This approach helped the company better manage explosive demand while supporting long-term scalability across global markets.
Under Kim’s leadership as vice chairperson, Samyang Foods has recorded significant financial expansion. Revenue increased from approximately 6.42 trillion won in 2021 to over 23 trillion won in 2025, while operating margins improved from around 10% to the low-20% range.
The company’s overseas revenue mix has also surged, reshaping Samyang from a domestic-focused food producer into a globally export-driven consumer brand.
Samyang Foods was also included in the MSCI index in 2025 and recognized as a leading company in corporate value enhancement initiatives, further strengthening its profile among global institutional investors.
Beyond financial performance, analysts say Kim’s leadership has been instrumental in reshaping Samyang’s long-term business architecture—from a single-hit product company to a multi-brand global food platform.
The company has expanded its product portfolio beyond its flagship spicy noodles, reducing dependence on a single product cycle while reinforcing brand stability and global adaptability.
A Samyang Foods official said Kim’s appointment represents a continuation of the company’s global growth strategy, adding that the firm will further strengthen its overseas production and distribution networks to secure sustainable long-term competitiveness.
With Kim Jung-soo now formally taking the helm as chairperson, Samyang Foods is expected to further accelerate its transition into a fully globalized food company with integrated production, branding, and distribution capabilities.
