Joonggonara Appoints Lee Seung-jun for Strategic Restructuring
Company - People | Apr 01, 2025 | Aim Group
Joonggonara, the South Korea-based operator of the Joongna marketplace, has appointed Lee Seung-jun as chief business officer with the explicit aim of steering the company towards achieving profitability. Lee brings over 15 years of versatile experience in both domestic and international firms, including tenure at Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, and Kakao Mobility. His previous role at Blind, an anonymous professional network, was marked by the successful launch of innovative services such as the recruitment marketplace BlindHire in collaboration with JobKoreas NineHire ATS. At Joonggonara, Lee is expected to enhance service competitiveness and lead a business restructuring focused on improving profitability and increasing transaction activity. Joonggonara is facing challenges in the recommerce market, which Lee believes requires fundamental solutions for the company to achieve sustainable growth. The company reported $8.2 million in sales yet incurred an operating loss of $2.8 million in 2023. Joonggonara, having a membership reach of 29 million users, is set to announce its 2024 earnings shortly.
Sectors
- E-commerce
- Human Resources
Geography
- South Korea – Joonggonara is based in South Korea, and the restructuring endeavors are primarily centered on this geographical market.
Industry
- E-commerce – Joonggonara operates Joongna, a marketplace platform, which positions it within the e-commerce sector focusing on recommerce.
- Human Resources – Lee Seung-jun's previous work with Blind and its recruitment marketplace BlindHire indicates ties to HR and recruitment industries.
Financials
- $8.2 million – Reported sales of Joonggonara in 2023.
- $2.8 million – Operating loss of Joonggonara in 2023.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joonggonara | Marketplace Operator | Company | A South Korean company operating the Joongna marketplace. |
| Lee Seung-jun | Chief Business Officer | Person | Appointed to lead Joonggonara's restructuring towards profitability. |
| Blind | Former Employer of Lee Seung-jun | Company | A professional network where Lee previously worked, launching recruitment services. |
| Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Kakao Mobility | Former Employers | Companies | International and domestic firms where Lee Seung-jun gained extensive industry experience. |
| JobKoreas NineHire ATS | Collaborative Platform with Blind's BlindHire | Company | Worked with Blind for its recruitment marketplace initiatives. |