Daesung Hi-Tech's Choi Woo-gak, PSDE's Park Dong-seok named Q3 'Proud SME Leaders'

Choi Woo-gak, CEO of Daesung Hi-Tech [Korea Federation of SMEs]

Daesung Hi-Tech supplies ultra-precision parts to 70-plus firms in 27 countries

PSDE localizes semiconductor parts; posts 32.6 billion won in 2025 sales

Korea Federation of SMEs, Ministry of SMEs and Startups evaluate technology, exports and management performance

The Korea Federation of SMEs and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups named Choi Woo-gak, CEO of Daesung Hi-Tech, and Park Dong-seok, CEO of PSDE, the third-quarter 2026 "Proud SME Leaders" on Thursday.

Daesung Hi-Tech supplies roughly 8,000 types of precision components to more than 70 companies across 27 countries, leveraging ultra-precision machining technology with tolerances of one to two microns. The company has steadily expanded its overseas client base since landing its first deal with Japan's Yamazaki Mazak in 1997.

To reduce dependence on the semiconductor and machine-tool industries, Choi has identified defense, robotics, AI data centers and medical devices as four strategic growth pillars for precision parts, broadening the company's business portfolio accordingly.

Founded in 1995 as Daesung Jeonggong, Daesung Hi-Tech listed on Kosdaq in 2022. The company acquired Japan's Nomura VTC in 2014 to secure Swiss-type automatic lathe technology, and in 2025 established a Romanian subsidiary to lay the groundwork for entering the European defense market.

On a standalone basis, Daesung Hi-Tech posted sales of 94.7 billion won ($69.7 million) last year, up 4.2 percent from the prior year, while operating profit of 6.4 billion won marked a return to the black. On a consolidated basis, however, sales came to 95.2 billion won and the company recorded an operating loss of 2.3 billion won, reflecting investments in overseas subsidiaries and development costs for AI data center cooling components.

For the first half of this year, consolidated sales reached 40.7 billion won with an operating loss of 2.1 billion won. The order backlog at the end of the second quarter stood at around 76.5 billion won, up roughly 144 percent from a year earlier. The company is increasing the share of precision parts destined for defense, robotics, AI data centers and medical devices.

Choi received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in 2022. He has also been active in corporate social responsibility, providing free design and manufacturing support to local startups and donating scholarships and disaster-relief funds.

Park Dong-seok, CEO of PSDE [Korea Federation of SMEs]

PSDE is a semiconductor equipment and parts manufacturer founded in 2009 and based in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Its core businesses include designing gas and vacuum lines and gas systems, and assembling modules for semiconductor, OLED and LCD equipment.

The company has pursued the localization of semiconductor equipment parts and developed related technologies, including a nano-imprinting dispenser. During metalens research and development, it independently developed automated imprinting equipment capable of 100-nanometer-level precision. PSDE has also obtained five certifications, including ISO 9001 and ISO 37301.

Sales grew roughly 50 percent from 21.7 billion won in 2023 to 32.6 billion won in 2025. The company currently employs about 85 people.

Park is an entrepreneur who rose through the ranks as a field technician. He previously worked at Samsung Corning, SK Magic and semiconductor equipment maker PSK before taking the helm at PSDE. In 2022, the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea named him the 185th "Skilled Korean of the Month." His credentials at the time included patents related to semiconductor process chambers and touch-panel film manufacturing equipment.

PSDE offers employees stock options, performance awards, dormitory facilities and enrollment in the government's long-term employee asset-building program.

The "Proud SME Leaders" program recognizes small and medium-sized enterprise leaders who have contributed to industrial development through management innovation, export expansion and technology development. It is run jointly by the Korea Federation of SMEs and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

hong@heraldcorp.com