Ex-Doosan chairman details human lives during 1st solo photo exhibition

Park Yong-maan, former chairman of Doosan Group, introduces photos from his first solo exhibition, titled "Human Moment," in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Park Yong-maan, a former chairman of Doosan Group, one of Korea’s oldest conglomerates, has made a surprising debut as a photographer, capturing vivid human moments in his first solo exhibition in Seoul.

Titled "Human Moment," the photo exhibition opened to the public Friday, showcasing a total of 80 photos taken over the past five decades. The exhibition runs through Feb. 15.

Park, who turned 71 this year, started taking photos in 1975. When he was younger, he dreamed of becoming a photojournalist, but as was the case in most family-controlled conglomerates, his father strongly opposed the idea. Park ultimately went on to take the helm of the group.

Visitors to photographer Park Yong-maan's first exhibition "Human Moment" view a photo taken in Paris, Thursday. Yonhap

It took decades for him to realize his long-cherished dream of becoming a photographer. In 2022, he ceased all his management activities with Doosan Group after selling all of his shares in the company.

“I picked warm and peaceful photos with traces of human beings, and most of them are ones that make me want to look again,” Park said. “I have no regrets in becoming a photographer now.”

He collected most of the photos for the exhibition when spending time alone both in Korea and abroad. He also made it a habit to take photos whenever he was on a business trip abroad.

Former Doosan Group Chairman Park Yong-maan poses with a photo displayed at his solo exhibition, "Human Moment," in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Park has a strong desire to take photos of people’s daily lives.

“I am not interested in any avant-garde or landscape photos,” he said. “I love to take pictures of the people who I meet on the street.”

Park wanted his photos to create a sense of empathy for visitors, helping them focus on the normal lives of everyday people. The exhibit includes a photo of his wife and a couple kissing at a park in Paris, leading him to call the exhibition "Human Moment."

He also led the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), one of Korea’s largest business lobbies, for almost eight years starting in 2013.

After retiring from his business career, he pledged to live a more socially meaningful life. He has since engaged in volunteer work concentrating on support for the elderly and socially vulnerable.

Park said he has no plan to return to the business circle or enter politics. The former Doosan chief added he wants to remain a photographer for the rest of his life.