Kim Dong-kwan, the eldest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, has been promoted as the vice president of Hanwha Q Cells and Advanced Materials, the conglomerate’s solar panel maker.

The 36-year-old chaebol scion has been serving as the chief commercial officer and a senior executive of Hanwha Q Cells for four years. Officials said he was promoted in recognition of his contributions in raising the company’s profile as the world’s leading photovoltaic panel manufacture. Hanwha Q Cells is the No. 1 solar panel maker in major markets around the world, including the US, Germany and Japan.

As the vice president of the firm, Kim appears to be taking a step closer to the leadership of Hanwha, which has been led by his father for decades. Having graduated from Harvard University, Kim joined Hanwha Group in 2010 and has quickly climbed the corporate ladder since.

Kim is likely to play a bigger role in the top management after Hanwha Q Cells merges with Hanwha Chemical next month.

Hanwha Chemical absorbing its wholly owned subsidiary Hanwha Q Cells and Advanced Materials has been widely seen as the group laying the groundwork for a leadership transfer to the chairman’s son.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)