Kim Man-Joong

Kim Man-Joong (; August 13, 1918 – July 5, 1997), was a South Korean businessman who founded Samdo Group. Kim played a pioneering role in the textile industry, particularly in garment and zipper manufacturing and exporting. Kim is recognized for his contribution to the industrial development and enhancement of the national prestige of South Korea.

The Samdo Group was the first company in Korea to export manufactured clothing goods. It was a conglomerate with offices and manufacturing facilities in 14 countries and about 9,000 employees, focusing on textile, garment and zipper exports, construction, electronics, chemicals, automobile parts, and hotel management. It ranked as one of the top 50 largest companies in Korea until the late 1990s.

Early life Kim Man-Joong was born on August 13, 1918, in South Gyeongsang Province as the fourth of five sons and two daughters of his father, Kim Young-Jin, and his mother, Lee Bong-Soon.

The family originates from Wolseong, Gyeongju, and Kim is the 37th generation descendant of Prince Yeongbun—the third son of King Gyeongsun, the last king of the Silla Dynasty.

Until his great-grandfather, the family lived in Gyeongju but moved to Eonyang during Kim's grandfather's time. Kim attended Eonyang Primary School (currently Eonyang Elementary School), and after graduating from Busan 2nd Commercial School (currently Gaeseong High School), he began his career.

Career

Early career Kim moved to Osaka, Japan, joined Toyota Tsusho Corporation (previously Tomen) in Japan, and worked in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Kim was in Bangkok when World War II ended. With safety in mind, he saved all his money in a bank, while others bought gold, silver and precious stones. Ultimately, his money in the bank was not useful immediately during the post-war times and to remind himself of the lesson, Kim continued kept the old bankbook containing 1,700 baht, which was equivalent to the cost of 100 large bags of rice in the 1970s.

After Korea regained her independence, Kim returned to Seoul. Building on his experience in textile industry, he joined Chosun Silk Company and focused solely on textiles. In 1951, he entered the trading business and founded Shinkwang Trading Company.

The Samdo exported audio products as Samdo Electronics and promoted diversification of management by constructing a factory producing Meriyasu. In 1987, Kim passed on the management rights of the Samdo Group and its subsidiaries to his three sons.

Death On July 5, 1996, around 3:30 p.m., he died at the age of 78 at the Seoul National University Hospital, and the funeral was held at Samsung Hospital in Seoul Gangnam-gu Ilwon.

Personal life Kim was married to Chu Young-Soo (1926-2012). They had 4 children; with three sons, Kim Sang-Heon, Kim Jae-Heon, and Kim Jae-Ha, and one daughter, Kim Eui-Sun.

Other careers

Korean Apparel Export Association, President Korea Bonded Products Export Association, President/Vice President Baekyang Foundation, President