Making a significant industry statement, Hahn & Co. has achieved a historic milestone as the first Korean private equity firm to be included in a presidential business delegation. This pivotal inclusion underscores a notable evolution in how private equity and buyout firms are perceived within the broader corporate landscape.
Industry sources confirmed Friday that Vice Chairman Lee Dong-chun proudly represented Hahn & Co. during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Vietnam. His participation as part of the official economic delegation marks an unprecedented moment, being the first time a private equity executive has been included in such a high-profile national mission.
During the delegation’s comprehensive schedule, Vice Chairman Lee also actively participated in the esteemed Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi. This significant event saw Namyang Dairy, a key portfolio company of Hahn & Co., formalize a strategic memorandum of understanding with Vietnamese conglomerate Phu Thai Holdings.
This landmark three-year partnership, valued at an impressive 70 billion won (approximately $47.2 million), is strategically designed to significantly boost K-food exports, particularly focusing on premium infant formula products. The collaboration aims to substantially strengthen Namyang Dairy’s market presence and distribution foothold across Vietnam.
The impactful signing ceremony drew high-level attendees, including Namyang Dairy CEO Kim Seung-eon, Phu Thai Holdings Chairman Pham Dinh Doan, Korea’s esteemed Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, and Vietnam’s respected Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang, highlighting the strategic importance of the collaboration.
According to prominent industry officials, Hahn & Co.’s pioneering inclusion is a clear testament to the rapidly evolving role of modern private equity firms. These investment powerhouses are increasingly transcending traditional passive financial investment, proactively engaging in corporate management, operational excellence, and comprehensive growth strategy development.
Hahn & Co. distinguishes itself through its rigorous, hands-on investment model. This approach involves acquiring significant controlling stakes and deeply engaging in management through dedicated in-house teams of seasoned industry and functional specialists. The firm’s core philosophy centers on fostering long-term value creation through strategic investment and systematic operational improvement, a stark contrast to mere short-term cost-cutting measures.
This proactive, value-driven approach is powerfully exemplified by Hahn & Co.’s successful management of Namyang Dairy. Since assuming control in January 2024, Hahn & Co. has spearheaded comprehensive governance reform and rigorous operational restructuring. These efforts led to Namyang’s impressive return to operating profit within just one year, culminating in the company posting full-year net and operating profit in 2025 – a significant achievement marking its first such profitability in five years.
Consequently, this remarkable turnaround at Namyang Dairy is increasingly recognized as a definitive benchmark for successful private equity-led corporate reform and revitalization strategies across the South Korean market.
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