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Kyungsun Chung

Chief Sustainability Officer, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance / Founder, Root Impact / Redefining Wealth as a Public Trust: A New Generation of Impact

Born into Korea’s Hyundai Group founding family, Kyungsun Chung has chosen a different path from traditional conglomerate heirs. As Chief Sustainability Officer at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and founder of the nonprofit Root Impact, Kyungsun has become a leading voice in Asia’s evolving philanthropic and social investment landscape. From launching co-working spaces for changemakers to advancing female-led entrepreneurship in industrial regions, his work blurs the lines between philanthropy, business, and public good.

Kyungsoon embarked on a philanthropic path at a young age, all while carrying the weight and responsibility of being part of a prominent business family.

Despite facing inner conflicts, he has explored and forged his own way of engaging with society—through impact investing and innovative business approaches. In this conversation, we delve into the evolution of his philanthropic journey.

“Wealth beyond a certain level is not just yours—it belongs to the public.”

Kyungsun’s philanthropic values were seeded early by the words of his grandfather, Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung: “Once wealth reaches a certain magnitude, it should not be treated simply as personal property but as something held in trust for the public.”

While that philosophy took years to resonate fully, Kyungsun’s work in the nonprofit sector, particularly with the Asan Nanum Foundation, opened his eyes to the outsized impact that private resources could have when deployed strategically. “It’s not just about charity,” he says. “It’s about accountability to society.”

To pursue more experimental and flexible solutions, Kyungsun eventually established his own nonprofit, Root Impact, in 2012. Its flagship project, Heyground, is now a hub for social entrepreneurs in Seoul’s Seongsu district, providing not just workspace but a full support ecosystem including networking, capacity-building, and community development.

Slogan on the wall in Heyground’s lobby


Heyground Building


Inside of building


Networking Event at Heyground: Featuring Rick Ridgeway, Vice President of Patagonia

“To scale impact, sometimes you need capital—not just donations.”

In 2020, Kyungsun launched an impact investing initiative, the Sylvan Group, that aimed at scaling social solutions through private equity. “Philanthropy alone isn’t always sufficient,” he explains. “In sectors like healthcare, capital investment can accelerate innovation and access.”

One investment in Singapore streamlined musculoskeletal care, reducing patient burden and improving efficiency. Another, in pharmaceutical licensing, provided affordable medication access in developing markets.

But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. “True systems change takes time. Many private equity models demand fast returns, which can clash with social impact goals.” For Kyungsun, aligning financial timelines with social needs is critical.

（The Sylvan Group)

“Sustainability isn’t a checklist—it’s a strategy.”

As Chief Sustainability Officer at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, Kyungsun oversees ESG, philanthropy, and branding. “Insurance is fundamentally about managing long-term risk,” he says. “That makes it a natural partner to sustainability.”

Rather than siloing philanthropy, he embeds social impact into core operations. From corporate giving to community resilience programs, the aim is to make sustainability part of the business DNA. “We don’t want to just tick boxes. We want to build trust—and real outcomes.”

“Regional revitalization isn’t charity—it’s regeneration.”

Kyungsun is also applying his hybrid model of philanthropy and investment to regional challenges in Korea. In Ulsan, a major industrial city, he’s supporting female entrepreneurship through grants and investment. In Yeongwol, a shrinking former mining town, he’s backing boutique hotels and arts-led economic renewal.

“These places have different needs,” he says. “But whether it’s a large city or a rural town, the principle is the same: community-led regeneration.”

“Don’t start with the how—start with the why.”

Kyungsun’s advice to emerging philanthropists, especially in Asia, is simple but profound: “Know your motivation.” Wealth alone doesn’t justify intervention. “You need a real connection to the issue, and a willingness to listen and learn.”

Whether the path is through direct giving, social enterprise, or corporate work, he encourages a long-term view. “Real change takes time. And it takes humility—because you’re not just funding solutions, you’re entering into relationships with communities.”

Kyungsun believes even small steps, if guided by authentic intention, can unlock lasting change. “Once you’re clear on why you care, the how will follow. And when it does, the impact can be extraordinary.”

Kyungsun’s work reflects a consistent commitment to addressing social challenges, rooted in the philosophy that wealth is a public trust. From founding Root Impact to engaging in nonprofit work, impact investing, and corporate CSR strategy, he employs a multifaceted, flexible approach to building a more sustainable society.

What stood out most was his focus not only on urban centers but also on regional revitalization—pioneering hybrid models that combine philanthropy and investment. His refusal to draw rigid lines between business and social impact, and his constant pursuit of greater outcomes, offers profound insights into the evolving role of philanthropy.

Interviewer: Co-CEO Yuko Koshiba