Wooseok Jun, an alumnus of Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB Professional MBA program, is the CEO of Choeun Savings Bank.

He built a relationship with SC Lowy, the major stockholder of Choeun Savings Bank, during the M&A process when he was working as a CFO at a brokerage firm.

His professional connection with Choeun Savings Bank became a turning point in his career, and he has been working there since then.

Since SC Lowy is a global firm based in Hong Kong that invests in various places around the world, he began working with people of diverse nationalities. He had difficulties while working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and with different values.

In the meantime, he came to know about the Professional MBA program at Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB and started a PMBA program while working.

"After graduating from the MBA program, I was promoted from Executive Director to CEO. The biggest takeaway from my MBA is that I developed a global mindset, which allows me to think broadly and flexibly, beyond the limited perspective I had before," he emphasized.

"In addition, I earned a dual bachelor's degree in economics and management and also obtained the American Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) qualification. After graduating from university, I have been responsible for financial management across various industries, such as accounting firm, manufacturing, and distribution industry. However, I did not know how to combine field experience and theoretical knowledge, so I struggled with a lack of insight into business," Wooseok said.

"When I was a university student, I "struggled to apply theoretical knowledge in practice." While working, I have been too busy to integrate practical experience and theoretical knowledge," he added.

He stated that, after gaining field experience and restarting his studies through the PMBA program, he gained valuable business insights. Even now, five years after graduation, Wooseok said that the PMBA program at SKK GSB was such a valuable learning experience that he still refers to the materials he studied.

Choeun Savings Bank, where he works, is a bank specialized in corporate finance. They do not provide credit loans to individuals or sole proprietors. This bank primarily handles project financing (PF), corporate loans, and other related services. It is a financial institution that evaluates factors, including the financial feasibility of real estate development projects, and analyzes a company's cash flow and collateral value, to make investment and lending decisions.

The bank has been recording profits since Wooseok took office as CEO in 2021.

"The savings bank industry has been facing difficulties, continuing to incur losses since the interest rate hike in the second half of 2022. Fortunately, our bank has not recorded a loss for the past five years. I believe company culture is key. I am leveraging all the resources and capabilities of the bank to generate profit. Additionally, we have established a company culture where employees with greater responsibility and authority work harder, and we provide performance-based compensation. I believe that, thanks to this company culture, we are overcoming challenging times," he explained.

Wooseok advised prospective applicants who are contemplating whether to choose the PMBA program, as well as those who are currently studying at SKK GSB, to push beyond their limits.

"The SKK GSB MBA programs are conducted entirely in English, with a distinguished faculty that is passionate and highly qualified, a well-structured curriculum and learning materials, and generous support provided to students," he stated. As a result, those who put in the effort will be able to achieve what they desire," he stated.

He said, "I started the PMBA program after nearly 20 years of professional experience. It was a valuable time that gave me new perspectives and insights. To those contemplating the PMBA, I would dare to advise them to push beyond their limits. I am confident that, if they have the passion to gain knowledge, experience, and insights through this program, it will be a valuable and enriching experience."