An environmentally conscious oil tycoon sounds like a misnomer, but, as president and CEO of GS Caltex, Saehong Hur is committed to minimizing his oil refining company’s impact on the environment. By producing biofuel and biochemicals derived from sustainable biomass instead of fossil fuels, GS Caltex is contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases under Saehong’s leadership. Moreover, the company is expanding its hydrogen business to add to the supply of low-carbon energy. And it has taken the lead in chemical and mechanical recycling, creating a circular economy that turns waste plastic into lower-carbon plastics and recycled composite resin — the only oil refining company in South Korea to do so. “Carbon neutrality is no longer simply an environmental issue,” GS Caltex’s website reads. “It is becoming part of a new economic order that is necessary in the transition to sustainable green growth.”
Saehong has also overseen several community service programs led by GS Caltex in addition to his environmental work. One major initiative, Maum Talk Talk, provides counseling and therapy to children in need. The company runs a soup kitchen for senior citizens, provides English classes to residents of remote islands, offers training camps for job seekers, and is involved in children’s environmental education and conservation of marine resources.
Meanwhile, Saehong has found the time to stay involved with the GSB alumni community as president of the Stanford Club of Korea from 2020 to 2024. During his tenure, he helped organize events and connect alumni living in South Korea and abroad, building networks that benefit alumni both socially and in the business world. As a fourth-generation member of the GS Group’s founding family, Saehong is now poised to lead the company into the future — one that is more environmentally sound. “We are committed to sustainable management that goes beyond short-term achievements to strengthen our core competitiveness,” Saehong says. “Amid rapid change, we will steadfastly fulfill our responsibilities and strive to become a centennial company by sincerely challenging ourselves and pursuing innovation.”
