This interview was prepared to congratulate LG Chem vice chairman and CEO Hak Cheol Shin for being selected as the 31st Distinguished SNU Members, and to seek advice as a junior in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

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Vice Chairman Hak Cheol Shin graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Seoul National University, and is contributing to the sustainable development of human society by raising the status of the nation based rich global experience and a firm management philosophy of sustainability. Vice-President Shin joined 3M Korea in 1984 and became the first Korean to become the senior vice president in charge of 3M overseas business (2011), after serving as the Philippine branch manager (1995), the senior vice president of industrial business at 3M’s U.S. headquarters (2005). As a professional manager with a unique location, he won the Seoul National University College of Engineering Proud Alumni Award in 2014, the Republic of Korea National Award in 2019, and the Grand Prize at the Korea Negotiation Awards of the Korean Negotiation Association in 2020. (Source: Seoul National University College of Engineering)



Q. Vice-President Hak Cheol Shin was selected for 31st Distinguished SNU Members. Congratulations this, and please share your thoughts.

I have received many awards in my life, but I think this is the most honorable award. In fact,e of the events that had a big impact my life was my admission to Seoul National University, so it has a bigger meaning. It is not an exaggeration to say that I have grown by choosing the Department of Mechanical Engineering when I was in my second year of college. When I came to receive the award, I passed the Seoul National University College of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering Building, and it felt like my hometown. I will take it as a sign to work harder and try harder not to be ashamed of the award. thank you.

 

Q. Vice-Chairman Hak Cheol Shin, after graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Seoul National University, worked for 3M and LG Chem and made many achievements, so I think you are able to receive the above award. What do you think was the reason for being selected as 'Distinguished SNU Member'? What is the biggest reason?

It seems that you have highly valued the fact that I have been leading the company and constantly preparing for change. Actually, I was very surprised when I heard the news of the award because I never thought that I would receive the prestigious Seoul National University Award among so many seniors and juniors. Rather than an award given to me personally, I think that I receive it behalf of a company called LG Chem.



In order for a company to survive, it is fundamentally necessary to make a profit, but that is not all. It is also the role of a company to make a positive impact the world. When a change such as climate change or a pandemic approach, managers set the direction of the organization and lead the entire industry.

 

The first long-term project that I started when I first came to LG Chem in 2019 was to review the sustainability strategy. In 2020, we declared 2050 carbon-neutral growth for the first time in the domestic chemical industry. We plan to invest KRW 10 trillion by 2025 in these three new growth engines by selecting ▲ eco-friendly sustainability business ▲ e-Mobility focusing battery materials and ▲ global innovative new drugs. Although LG Chem is now the 7th largest chemical company in the world, as all industries are being reset, leading companies and latecomers are standing the same starting line. It is also an opportunity to lead the eco-friendly era.



Q. Vice-President, you have faced many difficult challenges, such as doing sales at 3M company, and going to the Philippines to take the role of president. What is the secret to being able to take new challenges that others have not tried?

It was a big turning point in my life that I was not afraid to try new things and made a bold change. After joining the company, I worked as an engineer for six years, and then went into sales. I'm not sure why I wasn't afraid to even think about it now, carrying a sample bag and running to visit B2B customers. I was 36 years old when I was appointed as the president of 3M Philippines branch by a sudden opportunity after working in Korea for about 10 years. Even then, I jumped in boldly. When the company grew two or three times in the Philippines, it was the same while going through the process of moving into the US headquarters. When faced with a situation that could be an opportunity or a crisis, I jumped in without fear. I was like, 'If you're going to regret it anyway, try it and regret it'. It's been 42 years since I graduated from college, but I'm still not afraid to start a new job.



It is also important to broaden your horizons by finding what you are good at. I pride myself being a great engineer, but it wasn't until I was 30 that I realized I had a knack for sales and marketing. Meeting customers and persuading them was so much fun. I hope you find your talents by reading or trying other things.



There is a saying, “a fox knows many things, but a hedgehog knowse big thing.” To a hedgehog who has learnedlye way to unite, a fox cannot win. I believe that everyone has a weapon, just like a hedgehog hase skill.



Q. The Vice President, you said that it is important to meet mentors while meeting various people. I heard that LG Chem also runs a 'co-mentoring' program in which employees become mentors to each other. If so, is Vice Chairman Hak Cheol Shin the most memorable mentor you have met until you arrived at the present position? What advice do you remember the most?

I met several distinguished people, including Boeing Chairman James McNerney and former 3M Chairman George W. Berkeley. I learned a lot from these people and asked a lot of questions. Even for a short time, I was asked a lot of “what do you think?” questions. I was able to hear stories that gave me the essence and the essence, and a significant part of my learning came from these people.



In fact, no matter how many books you read, it's hard to get to the core of the business world. It's important to get a chance to talk for that short 20-30 minutes. Whether in business or in any social relationship, you should develop a habit of valuing relationships with people. It's a minor difference where some people end up passing each other by, and some people find the next chance to get in touch and see each other again. But the world is dominated by small differences. This little +α will determine our life, the fate of our business, and my destiny.

 

Q. The following would like to ask a question related to the Faculty to Vice President Hak Cheol Shin of Class 75, who graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Seoul National University. Vice-President, why did you choose the Department of Mechanical Engineering when you entered university? Was there any particular reason why you chose the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering?

At that time, the recruitment was by department, so students had to choose a department in their sophomore year. The reason I chose Mechanical Engineering was because it was the most popular department along with Electrical Engineering at the time. I chose it with a slightly vague idea that the main stream of engineering and technology would be mechanical engineering, but that thought has not changed even now.



Q. Comparing the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the time Vice Chairman Hak Cheol Shin entered Seoul National University with the Department of Mechanical Engineering today, it seems that the research field and curriculum have changed a lot. Vice Chairman Hak Cheol Shin, who is currently leading the global industry, what direction do you think the machinery sector should take in the future? Or, what do you think the machinery sector is supposed to do in the industry that will change in the future?

Convergence science in which each field of mechanical engineering (and fields of other engineering colleges) used to be researched, experimented, and applied as an independent field, however, the boundaries of each field are gradually mixing. I think that such comprehensive/convergence engineering is what is required in the industrial field. For example, AI technology has now established itself as an essential enabler of all engineering and its applications are endless. In addition, electric vehicle battery technology canly be realized when numerous fields such as chemistry, materials, machinery, and computer engineering are harmonized.



Another thing is to think about how mechanical engineering can play a role in solving this important human problem in line with the megatrend that is trying to define the future of mankind. In a situation where the issue of responding to climate change (a decarbonized environment) is undergoing a fundamental change that resets all industries, I think that mechanical engineering should be able to present an important solution.

 

Q. Recently, undergraduate students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering are very concerned about the position of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the industry. For example, Hyundai Motor Company, where many graduates of the mechanical engineering department were employed, reduced the number of mechanical engineering graduates due to the plan to stop sales of internal combustion engine vehicles and the conversion to electric vehicles. As a result, more and more students are seeking employment in other majors, particularly computer science. However, Vice Chairman Hak Cheol Shin, who graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has become a leader in LG Chem, which has many fields of chemistry, and is a role model for his juniors. Can the Vice-President give advice to juniors who are in the current situation?

Gone are the days when engineering was considered a major ine field. After graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and working in an industrial field, basic knowledge such as thermodynamics is of course important, but in fact, I think the most important learning was the engineering mindset, such as the basic problem-solving method of engineering, how to use data and draw conclusions. With the future megatrend as the goal, I think the opportunities are endless if we boldly challenge the important and huge problems facing mankind by offering useful solutions that cross the boundaries of science. We recommend that you continue to expand your personal horizons and move toward a world of infinite possibilities with responsibility and pride as a mechanical engineer who is not afraid of new attempts. thank you.

 

  

'Mech-SSENGER', a reporter group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, composed of undergraduate and graduate students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Seoul National University, is making efforts to inform the achievements of professors and alumni of the Department of Mechanical Engineering internally and externally by introducing news and research occurring within the department.

 

The interview was conducted in writing by the Journalists of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in December 2021.

 

MEch-SSENGER Jeongjin Lee