Dr. Hong holds a distinguished academic and professional background. He earned his BS and MS degrees from Seoul National University in 1988 and 1990, respectively, and his PhD from Purdue School of Industrial Engineering in 2002 under the guidance of Professor Tien-Chien Chang. In 2002, he embarked on his academic journey, commencing as a professor at the University of Toledo and quickly progressing to a professorship within the Department of Industrial Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU), widely regarded as the top university in South Korea. Dr. Hong has dedicated two decades to SNU, taking on various leadership roles, including serving as the Chair of the Technology Management Program for 10 years, Chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering for 2 years, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the College of Engineering for 2 years.

Dr. Hong's unyielding commitment to excellence and growth within the department, college, and university led to his election as the 31st Dean of SNU College of Engineering in 2022, as voted by the entire engineering faculty. It's important to note that SNU ranks 41st in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 62nd in THE World University Rankings 2024, with the College of Engineering representing a cornerstone of this prestigious institution. Dr. Hong's leadership is rooted in the trust of SNU's faculty and students, as he is seen as a catalyst for real changes and advancements within the realms of engineering, academia, and the broader industry and society.; Dr. Hong's career embodies an impressive blend of academic excellence, innovative industrial contributions, and a deep commitment to leadership and progress within his university and broader professional community.