구본무 具本茂
South Korean businessman; third chairman of the LG Group
| Life | 1945 ~ 2018 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 능성 구씨 |
Life & career
Koo Bon-moo (具本茂, 1945-2018) of the Neungseong Gu clan was a South Korean businessman, grandson of LG founder Koo In-hwoe and eldest son of Honorary Chairman Koo Cha-kyung. He became third chairman of the LG Group in 1995 and led it until 2018.
He died at Seoul National University Hospital on May 20, 2018, aged 73, and was succeeded by his adopted son Koo Kwang-mo. He received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit (1993) and the Geosang Order of Sports Merit (2012).
Birth and Education
Koo Bon-moo (具本茂, 1945-2018) was born in February 1945 in Jinyang County (now Jinju), South Gyeongsang Province. He was a grandson of LG founder Koo In-hwoe and eldest son of Honorary Chairman Koo Cha-kyung. He is known to have left Yonsei University's business school without graduating, and to have earned a bachelor's degree at Ashland University and an MBA at Cleveland State University in the United States.
Group Career and the LG Twins
He is said to have joined LG Chem in 1975 and become group vice chairman in 1989. He led the founding of the LG Twins baseball club in 1990, and an anecdote says that as owner he stated he would not interfere in team management.
Becoming LG Chairman
He became third chairman of the LG Group in 1995 (some sources say 1996), the year the group name changed from Lucky-Goldstar to LG. He is known to have promoted ethical management and 'value-creating number-one-ism' as management principles.
The Financial Crisis and Semiconductors
In the government-led restructuring ('big deal') after the late-1990s financial crisis, LG Semicon was transferred to the Hyundai group in 1999. He then ran the group centered on chemicals, electronics and telecommunications, and the nurturing of new businesses such as LG Chem's batteries after the 2000s is often cited in assessments.
Birdwatching and Honors
A keen birdwatcher, he published the book Birds of Korea (Hanguk-ui Sae, 2000). He received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in 1993 and the Geosang Order of Sports Merit in 2012.
Succession and Death
In 2004 he adopted Koo Kwang-mo, a son of his younger brother Koo Bon-neung. His illness became public around 2017, and he died at Seoul National University Hospital on May 20, 2018, aged 73. He is reported to have been laid to rest in a tree burial at Hwadam Forest. Koo Kwang-mo succeeded him as chairman.
Grave
After cremation he is reported to have been laid to rest in a tree burial at Hwadam Forest near Gonjiam, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Descendants
He adopted Koo Kwang-mo in 2004. Family relationships are noted only at an encyclopedic level.