Dong-A ST has appointed Eom Dae-sik as its new chairman, the company said Friday.

Eom, a graduate of Seoul National University College of Agriculture, joined Otsuka Pharmaceutical Korea in 1987. Since then, he has served as the head of the business division, president and CEO of the company, before becoming chairman of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Korea in 2016. He also served as a non-executive director for Dong-A ST.

Eom is the first top executive that comes from outside the company since the establishment of Dong-A ST.

“The new chairman best suits Dong-A ST in becoming a global R&D pharmaceutical player by overcoming the crisis facing the company,” an official said.

The announcement of the company’s new chairman comes after its former president, Min Jang-seong, was convicted of giving out illegal rebates, on Wednesday. The Busan District Court sentenced Min to 18 months in jail.