South Korea’s fourth-largest conglomerate LG Group let go one of its longest-serving CEOs in a regular executive reshuffle to realign management during a critical transition period.

Ha Hyun-hwoi, chief executive and vice president of LG Uplus Corp., is leaving the LG Group after 36 years of service, LG Uplus said Wednesday. Ha would be replaced by Hwang Hyun-shik, chief of the mobile carrier’s consumer business, effective next March after gaining approval from shareholders and the board. Ha would stay on to play an advisory role at LG Uplus.

Ha first joined LG in 1985 and previously worked at LG Display Co. and LG Electronics Inc. He was appointed chief executive of the holding company LG Corp. in 2015 and was promoted to vice president in 2017. As the head of LG Uplus, he is credited for steering the company toward new growth opportunities. He oversaw the acquisition of CJ HelloVision, the country’s biggest cable TV operator. Last year, LG Uplus vowed to invest 2.6 trillion won ($2.35 billion) in augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Hwang joined LG Telecom in 1999 and built his career in sales strategy and consumer business. Hwang came under the spotlight last year for becoming the first insider chief of the wireless carrier, heading the consumer business department.

LG Display on the same day promoted 19 senior executives to top management. Among them is Kim Hee-yeon, who gained recognition for being the first female senior managing director in the company’s history.

Employees are on edge over the possibility of further reshuffle orders from LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo amid broad structural changes at major affiliates.

On Thursday, the board of LG Chem Ltd. would finalize the plan to spin off its battery business. On the same day, board members of LG’s holding company would also discuss separating LG International, LG Hausys and LG Pantos by putting them under the control of Koo Bon-joon, a senior advisor to LG Group and brother of late LG Group chief Koo Bon-moo.

LG Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo, LG Chem Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol and LG Household and Healthcare Vice Chairman Cha Suk-yong, however, are expected to maintain their positions.

The outgoing Ha is speculated to move to the separated LG International entity.

By Noh Hyun, Lim Young-sin, Lee Jong-hyuk and Kim Hyo-jin

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