Seungyong Yang graduated from SKK GSB's Full-Time MBA (FMBA) program in 2011, and he currently heads Woori Bank’s Singapore branch. Based in one of the world’s leading financial centers, he oversees the branch’s operations while supporting Woori Bank’s continued business expansion across Southeast Asia.

Seungyong majored in business administration at Sungkyunkwan University before enrolling in the SKK GSB FMBA program with sponsorship from Woori Bank. After comparing MBA programs at several institutions, he was particularly drawn to the quality and dedication of SKK GSB’s faculty, as well as the wide range of opportunities offered through its partnerships with leading universities in the United States.

“Professors from the Kelley School of Business came to Korea to teach classes, and I also had the opportunity to spend six months as an exchange student through the Study Abroad Program,” he recalled.

After graduating from SKK GSB, Seungyong returned to the bank and continued reviewing what he had learned, all while steadily working to improve his English. As all his MBA classes were conducted in English, keeping up with the coursework had been a challenge, but this ultimately became a powerful source of motivation.

Seungyong is sure that communicating in English with professors and international classmates at SKK GSB played an important role in preparing him for an overseas assignment, and in 2015, he succeeded in being posted to Woori Bank’s Singapore branch.

“The experience of studying and communicating entirely in English at SKK GSB gave me the confidence and skills I needed to work in an international environment,” Seungyong asserted. “I believe it had a significant influence on my selection for the Singapore assignment.”

Seungyong spent the next four and a half years in Singapore as a senior manager. In 2024, he returned to the Singapore branch to take the helm.

Singapore is home to approximately 190 banks and is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading financial centers. In this highly competitive market, Woori Bank’s Singapore branch provides a wide range of financial services—including deposits, loans, and trade finance—to both Korean and local corporate clients. The branch also conducts investment banking activities across Southeast Asia, including syndicated lending.

“Singapore holds strategic importance as both a regional hub and a key center for financing in Southeast Asia,” Seungyong explained. “Woori Bank is continuing to expand its client base and business coverage into neighboring markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.”

Given his career in banking, Seungyong found his MBA courses in finance and accounting particularly valuable. Although the Singapore branch is an overseas office of a Korean bank, it must comply with local regulations set by Singapore’s financial authorities and maintain systems and operational capabilities comparable to those of the bank’s headquarters. The branch therefore manages a full range of essential functions in-house, including treasury, accounting, and compliance.

As head of Woori Bank’s Singapore branch, Seungyong is responsible for overseeing all of these areas, and the knowledge he gained through the FMBA has proven highly practical in managing the complex responsibilities of an overseas banking operation.

Seungyong also highlighted strategy courses and case studies as some of the most memorable aspects of his MBA experience. By examining complex business challenges in depth, engaging in rigorous discussions with classmates, and cooperating to develop conclusions and solutions, he broadened his perspective and strengthened his problem-solving abilities. These capabilities continue to serve him well in his current role.

In Seungyong's experience, completing an MBA broadens the way professionals understand and approach their work. Seungyong embarked on his MBA after seven years in banking, and he found that his perspective had changed significantly when he returned to the workplace. The professional network he'd developed with his MBA cohort also became one of the most valuable assets from the experience.

In conclusion, Seungyong said “SKK GSB offers outstanding faculty, high-quality research resources, and a global network comparable to those of leading MBA programs around the world. I take great pride in seeing SKK GSB alumni play pivotal roles at companies across the globe.”