Lotte Wellfood names Seo Jeong-ho CEO, targets India-led growth and Choco Pie expansion

Lotte Wellfood held its ninth regular general meeting on the morning of the 20th at the company’s headquarters in Yangpyeong-dong, Seoul. The meeting saw Seo Jeong-ho designated as the new chief executive officer.

Shareholders with voting rights represented about 88.3 percent of the total issued shares. Under Seo’s leadership, the company aims to accelerate its global expansion and strengthen competitive power, with a particular emphasis on the Indian market.

Management plans to increase Choco Pie production capacity and to focus on stabilizing the Pune plant, which began operations last year. The company also said it will bolster core brand competitiveness and improve business efficiency to lift profitability.

For the year prior, Lotte Wellfood reported consolidated sales of 4.216 trillion won and operating profit of 109.5 billion won.

During the meeting, the company amended its articles to delete a clause that excludes the use of the cumulative voting system, a move described as increasing governance transparency. It also approved a capital reduction through the cancellation of treasury shares as part of a more active shareholder-return policy.

The developments matter for U.S. readers because Lotte Wellfood’s expansion in India and its ongoing product-capacity upgrades could influence global snack supply chains and competitive dynamics in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Choco Pie, a flagship product with broad distribution, remains a recognizable brand in international markets, including the United States, and any shift in production capacity or regional focus can affect availability and pricing.

As a unit of the Lotte Group, a major South Korean conglomerate, Lotte Wellfood’s strategic moves also reflect broader trends in Asia-focused manufacturing and cross-border investment that can impact supply chains, marketing, and trade relations relevant to American snack producers and retailers.