Est. 1992 · Suwon, Korea
A Korean investment firm built on the founder's legacy.
KCR Corporation was founded in 1992 in Suwon, Korea, originally operating as a regional print media company. Following the conclusion of that business, the company transitioned to an investment-focused structure.
The company currently holds interests across venture, public equity, digital assets, and real estate. Its US affiliate, KCR USA Inc., is based in Los Angeles, California.
Pillsang Whang studied engineering in France in the 1970s–80s on a Korean government scholarship and completed his doctorate in Germany. He subsequently joined KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) as a professor.
He later left academia to found Suwon Gyocharo (수원교차로) in 1992, a local classified newspaper that expanded into a national network of community print publications.
He donated 90% of his KCR Corporation shares to Guwon Scholarship Foundation. The resulting tax dispute lasted a decade, concluding in his favour. The case led to legislation protecting charitable donations, known as the Whang Pillsang Act (황필상법).
He passed away on December 31, 2018.
KCR Corporation allocates capital across multiple asset classes with a long-term outlook. The company operates as a privately held investment holding structure.
KCR USA Inc. is the US affiliate of KCR Corporation, incorporated in California.
Based in Los Angeles, KCR USA holds the group's US-based assets and operates as a C-corporation under US law.