Kim Sung-joo (entrepreneur) facts for kids
Sung-Joo Kim (born in Daegu, Korea in 1956) is a very successful South Korean businesswoman. She started her own company called Sungjoo Group. She is also the leader of MCM Holding AG, a famous fashion brand.
Early Life
Sung-Joo Kim was born in 1956. She is the youngest of six children. Her father, Kim Soo-keon, started a very large Korean company called Daesung Group.
Career Highlights
Sungjoo Group is the company Sung-Joo Kim founded in 1990. This company became known as a leader in fashion in Korea. They helped bring many famous brands to Korea, like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
In 2005, Sungjoo Group bought MCM. MCM is a luxury fashion brand from Germany that started in 1976.
Helping Others
Sung-Joo Kim was the President of the Korean Red Cross for three years, starting in 2014. The Red Cross is a group that helps people in need.
In June 2015, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom gave her a special award. It was called an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). She received this award for helping to make the relationship between the United Kingdom and South Korea stronger.
Awards and Recognition
Sung-Joo Kim has received many awards for her work:
- 1997: Named a "Global Leader for Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum.
- 1999: Listed as one of "The 20 Most Powerful International Businesswomen" by Working Woman magazine.
- 2001: Recognized as one of the "7 most powerful women in Asia" by Asiaweek magazine.
- 2002: Won the "Pride of Korea Grand Prize Winner" from the Korean Press Association.
- 2003: Chosen as a "New Century Leader" by CNN for The Best of Asia.
- 2004: Included in "75 Top Powerful Women Around the World" by Bilanz.
- 2004: Received the "Woman of the Year Award" from the Korean National Council of Women.
- 2005: Given the "Korean Women Leadership Award" for Young Leader, from YWCA Korea.
- 2007: Honored at the "Spirit of Asian America" Gala by AAFNY (Asian American Federation of New York).
- 2007: Listed among "100 People to Enlighten the world 2007" by the Korean Green Foundation.
- 2008: Received the "WLE Compass Award" by Women's Leadership Exchange.
- 2011: Awarded an Doctor Honoris Causa from Business School Lausanne.
- 2015: Received the "Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire".
Personal Life
Sung-Joo Kim studied at Amherst College. She also attended Harvard University. Her father, Kim Soo-Keon, founded the Daesung Group. This is a large South Korean company. It has businesses in energy, auto parts, and industrial gas.
