Korea Seven has appointed Kim Dae-il as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking the first time the Lotte Group unit has brought in an external leader to head the business.
Kim assumed the role on April 1, 2026, and has been tasked with reviving the performance of 7-Eleven in South Korea amid intensifying competition from rivals such as CU and GS25.
In his first statement as CEO, Kim said: “I will work with our teams to rebuild and regrow the 7-Eleven brand in Korea and strengthen its competitiveness in the market.” Kim brings close to 30 years of experience across consulting, digital platforms and fintech, with previous roles at global firms including Bain & Company and A.T. Kearney, as well as leadership stints in technology-driven businesses. His appointment signals a sharper push toward digital transformation and operational restructuring at Korea Seven.
The leadership change comes at a critical juncture for the company, which operates more than 11,000 stores in South Korea but has struggled with declining profitability and market share in one of the world’s most saturated convenience store sectors.
Kim is expected to lead a transformation focused on digital innovation, operational efficiency, and brand repositioning, as Korea Seven seeks to regain momentum and strengthen its standing in the country’s convenience retail sector.
