From diplomacy to global strategy: Alex Wong on advancing Hanwha’s defense vision

Q. Thank you for joining us. Could you start by telling us what your role is at Hanwha and how you came to join the company?

I’m the global chief strategy officer of Hanwha Group, and I help guide our strategy across the United States and Europe as the company expands worldwide. Right before Hanwha, I spent some time at the White House as the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor. Before that, I was at the State Department handling North Korea negotiations during the period of summitry involving the United States, North Korea, and South Korea. For a number of years now, I’ve had a strong relationship with Korea, its economy, and its business community, so when Hanwha came up as an opportunity, it was a great chance to join. It’s a company I’ve always respected, and I think it has a bright future ahead.

Q: What are you bringing from your past experiences to this position?

One thing I can bring from my past experiences is a strong understanding of how government, industry, and international partnerships intersect, especially in areas related to national security and long-term strategic planning. Having worked at the White House and State Department, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand how global security challenges evolve and how trusted partnerships are built over time.

I also bring relationships and insights working across the U.S., Europe, and Asia — increasingly important experience as Hanwha continues to expand globally. Beyond that, I think what matters most is helping connect Hanwha’s strengths and capabilities with the needs of partners around the world in a way that creates lasting value and trust.

Q. Transitioning from public service at the U.S. Department of State to the global CSO of  Hanwha Group , what do you see as the biggest difference between those perspectives?

In government, much of the work is centered on diplomacy, policy frameworks, and long-term geopolitical objectives. Those things are critically important because they establish the broader direction and structure for international cooperation and deterrence. In the private sector, however, you’re much closer to the operational realities and are constantly thinking about manufacturing capacity, supply chains, technology integration, and how to deliver capability at scale.

Q. As Hanwha continues to expand, what personal philosophy guides your leadership approach in the face of global uncertainty?

I think one thing I’ve learned throughout my career is the importance of staying focused on long-term fundamentals, even when the external environment becomes very dynamic or uncertain. What matters is having a clear sense of purpose and remaining disciplined about the principles that guide your decisions. For me, that starts with trust and relationships. In both diplomacy and industry, long-term success is built on credibility, consistency, and the ability to work constructively with partners over time.

Q. How would you describe Hanwha’s culture and people?

What stands out most to me about Hanwha’s culture is the combination of ambition, discipline, and teamwork. The people here are deeply committed to what they do and take a great deal of pride in building capabilities with broad impact.

I’ve also been impressed by the entrepreneurial culture. Hanwha is willing to think boldly, move quickly, and pursue new opportunities. There’s a strong emphasis on execution and accountability. People here don’t just talk about ideas — they work hard to turn them into reality.

Q. What do you think Hanwha’s key competitive strengths are?

Hanwha's key strength lies in its ability to build long-term partnerships and integrated industrial solutions through its diversified business portfolio, whether we’re talking about shipbuilding, aerospace, energy, or defense. We prioritize differentiated strategies centered on local ecosystem investment and industrial collaboration — an approach that resonates strongly in today’s global environment.

“Hanwha's key strength lies in its ability to build long-term partnerships and integrated industrial solutions through its diversified business portfolio, whether we’re talking about shipbuilding, aerospace, energy, or defense.”

Q. What makes working at Hanwha meaningful to you personally?

For me, it’s the opportunity to contribute to something that has real impact. The industries Hanwha operates in — whether defense, shipbuilding, aerospace, or energy — are deeply connected to national resilience, economic growth, and technological progress.

It really is an impressive company across the board. There are tens of thousands of employees, but the ethos is uniform throughout. Everywhere I look, there’s passion, dedication, and focus, and that shows in the offerings we have. I want to contribute all I can in terms of the relationships I already have in the U.S. and throughout Europe and globally.

“There are tens of thousands of employees, but the ethos is uniform throughout. Everywhere I look, there’s passion, dedication, and focus, and that shows in the offerings we have.”

Q. What message would you like to share with Hanwha colleagues who are helping drive the company’s global growth, as well as young professionals aspiring to build a career?

For Hanwha colleagues, I hope there’s a strong sense of pride because their work makes a difference in building the company globally and shaping the future direction of industries across the board. For younger professionals, I would encourage them to stay curious and open-minded. The world is evolving quickly, and the most valuable people will be those who can adapt, continue learning, and think across technology, policy, manufacturing, and global strategy.

About Alex Wong

Before joining Hanwha, Alex Wong served as Principal Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald J. Trump and held other senior positions within the U.S. government, including the U.S. Department of State. With extensive experience across government, international security, and global strategy, he brings deep expertise in geopolitical affairs, alliance partnerships, and long-term strategic planning. At Hanwha, he guides Hanwha Group’s global strategy and expansion across the U.S., Europe, and other key international markets. 

Keep up with Alex on LinkedIn.