It’s not often you meet a business leader who is equally fluent in the language of engineering and the language of law. John (Kwangho) Jung, founder and CEO of GMODIS and Construction Law Attorney, built his career by working at the intersection of both. He began in structural engineering, contributing to major global projects, but soon realized that success in industrial construction demanded more than technical precision. Contracts, risk, and disputes could make or break even the best-designed projects.
That insight shaped GMODIS into a firm designed to do more than deliver engineering solutions. It helps clients succeed strategically and contractually, becoming a trusted partner for global investors navigating complex, high-stakes projects in North America. His journey has taken him from oil and gas sites in the Middle East to modularization yards in Korea and crisis recovery operations in Vietnam.
In this conversation, as the inspiring personality on the cover story, he reflects on the defining moments of that path and the bold choices behind GMODIS’s rise. He also elucidates why he believes the future of industrial construction depends on leaders who can turn complexity into clarity.
Foundation and Formative Vision
Every leader reaches a point in their life that marks a before-and-after turning point. What inspired John’s early interest in industrial construction and business, and how did that path lead to the genesis of GMODIS? He recalls how, from a young age, he was fascinated by the way large structures come to life. His career started in structural engineering, where he feels he had the privilege of contributing to major oil and gas and
industrial plant projects across the globe. As time progressed, he gained experience in the trade. Soon, he realized that a project’s success didn’t rely only on engineering. Contracts, risk allocation, and dispute management were just as critical as design and execution.
This realization didn’t remain as a learning experience. It nudged and motivated John to pursue law alongside engineering. “When I founded GMODIS, it was with a clear vision: to build a firm that was more than an engineering consultancy. We’re a partner that ensures projects succeed not just technically, but also contractually and strategically.”
Dual Expertise with Multidimensional Benefits
John found something unique to learn from every global project that he worked on. Each of them taught him firsthand how one could prevent costly disputes and inefficiencies if technical and contractual perspectives remained aligned from the start. In a space with two different domains working together, engineers spoke one language, and lawyers spoke another. John was sharp enough to notice this gap, and he wanted to bridge it. “By becoming both an engineer and a lawyer, I positioned myself to anticipate risks holistically.”
At GMODIS, this dual perspective shapes the leadership philosophy. Elaborating further, he articulates, “We don’t just react to problems, we design systems that prevent them. It boosts our clients’ confidence that we can deliver projects on time, within budget, and with contractual certainty.” As he and his team have been working around these principles, they have seen that this is especially vital for international investors. Particularly, their Korean and Japanese clients, who need a trusted partner to manoeuvre the complexities of the North American market, find it extremely helpful.
Leadership philosophy and tackling challenges
History vouches that every pioneer who brings a transformation follows a unique set of leadership principles. These tenets work as a guide showing the trail to success. John is no exception. He has his own foci that keep him moving through his professional journey, especially when handling complex global projects.
“Three principles have guided me: resilience, integration, and foresight,” John summarizes. He breaks down the importance of each of these. Resilience plays an essential role when facing the unpredictable challenges of global projects. It can range from navigating seismic zones in Turkey to managing a collapsing cooling tower in Vietnam. Integration means ensuring every discipline works in harmony, not in silos, and that they can effectively bridge the cultural and business practices of their international clients. And foresight is the ability to anticipate what can go wrong and turn those risks into opportunities.
These principles are embedded in GMODIS’s culture. Outstanding leadership is about enabling clarity, alignment, and confidence even in uncertain circumstances.
John’s journey hasn’t been a smooth ride. Among several setbacks, there are a few defining challenges and unexpected crises. He recollects one such difficulty was during the Nghi Son Refinery Project in Vietnam. Here, he managed the reconstruction of the world’s largest cooling tower after it suffered significant structural damage. It was a multifaceted challenge which went beyond just a technical hindrance. It has substantial legal and insurance-related challenges, involving multiple international stakeholders.
John chose not to succumb to such unfavourable circumstances. He understood leadership can never be about having all the answers. Being a realistic leader, he says that the onus lies on the leader to build trust across cultures and disciplines. They must guide and lead diverse teams toward a shared solution.
“This experience deepened my conviction that true project leadership means bridging technical and contractual complexities seamlessly. It is a skill that is now at the core of our work with global investors entering the North American market,” shares John.
Being Agile and Strategies to Stay Competitive
GMODIS belongs to an industry which is dynamic in nature. It is a known fact that industrial plant construction is shifting rapidly with EV battery manufacturing, modularization, and sustainability. In such a scenario, adopting strategies to stay competitive and future-ready is a must.
GMODIS has chalked out three core plans. It is deeply engaged in the energy transition, partnering on North American EV battery plant construction projects. It is particularly relevant considering the significant influx of Korean and Japanese investment in this sector.
As its second strategy, GMODIS advances modularization. With over a decade of expertise, it helps clients use modular methods to reduce costs and accelerate schedules. This practice aligns with the advanced methods of its partners from Asia. Finally, the company integrates legal and technical risk management. Aligning engineering decisions with contractual clarity equips the clients with a critical competitive edge. For its Korean and Japanese clients, this means it can serve as a bridge, helping them understand and steer through the unique legal and regulatory landscape of North America. This combination makes GMODIS future-ready and a part of the industry’s future.
On being unique, John and his brainchild set an example. The genesis of GMODIS was itself an unconventional decision. “Building a company that integrates engineering and law isn’t a common model, and many advised me to choose one path. But I saw a clear gap in the market, especially for global clients. The outcome has been remarkable,” John explains.
Within no time, clients recognized the value of this dual expertise, especially in high-stakes projects where billions of dollars are at risk. Today, his brand reputation stands on its prowess in solving problems that others can’t. The reason? It can visualize the whole picture and can communicate effectively between different cultures and professional disciplines.
Championing inclusiveness and innovation
In his celebrated career, there are several defining moments when John felt proud to have his team, which he built from scratch. However, there is one particular incident that remains etched in his memory. “It was during the installation of massive pre-assembled modules in South Korea,” he recalls.
What was so significant? Narrating it, he says, that these units weighed over a thousand tons and the risks were immense. But his team rose to the occasion and worked tirelessly around the clock, aiming for perfection in every detail. As they secured the final module in its spot, a collective sense of pride filled the team. No words can capture the fullest essence of that joy. That moment reminded him of why GMODIS exists. It is to bring people together, across disciplines and geographies, to achieve what seems impossible.
As the CEO of GMODIS, John ensures that innovation sits at the center of the organization. It is achieved by encouraging the teams to question assumptions and look beyond conventional solutions. He cites an example. Adopting modularization methods and integrating contract foresight into engineering decisions were once ‘unconventional’. But they became GMODIS’ differentiators. It is no surprise that John has been listed among the 10 Business Minds Defining the Next Era of Leadership, 2025. The astute leader affirms that accountability comes from clarity. Every team member knows not just what is expected, but why it matters to the client and the project outcome. By aligning personal accountability with collective purpose, GMODIS creates a culture where innovation thrives responsibly.
Success Decoded and a Legacy to Follow
John has reached here with his fair share of trial and error. He defines the metrics of being successful from a different lens. “As CEO, I measure success by the trust we build with clients and partners. If they see GMODIS as the partner who can deliver clarity, certainty, and excellence under pressure, then we’ve succeeded.”
Likewise, personally, for him, success means living a balanced life where his professional impact contributes to society. At the same time, he remains grounded in his responsibilities as a father and a lifelong learner.
He says with conviction about the kind of legacy to leave behind through GMODIS. He hopes that it will be remembered as the company that redefined how industrial projects are managed. It set a precedent for how engineering excellence and legal clarity worked hand in hand. In the broader landscape, he aspires to leave behind the idea that complexity can be managed with wisdom, foresight, and collaboration. If future generations of leaders embrace integration rather than division, that will be a legacy worth leaving.
Routines to remain rooted and thoughts to ponder
John has been a man who maintains discipline in small things. It can range from an array of activities, starting from reading daily, reflecting before making decisions, and setting aside time for family. These habits might appear trivial, but they help him stay balanced and remind him that leadership is a marathon, not a sprint.
No matter how successful one becomes, there are a few thoughts that prompt the question, ‘what if’. John resonates with it. If life gives him a chance to revisit his career, he shares he would pursue legal studies earlier than what he did. It doesn’t come from a space of regret. Instead, he believes having that perspective would have allowed him to bring even greater value to the global projects he was part of. “That said, every step of my journey shaped who I am. Perhaps the challenges I faced were what pushed me to find this unique path.”
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Trailblazers like John not just revolutionize the industry, they fan the flame of passion among young aspirants to follow the path. While his professional success has been a blueprint to emulate, he has nuggets of knowledge for the youth. “Don’t be afraid to take an unconventional path. The world often rewards specialization.” He advocates that true transformation stems from integration. It should bring together different disciplines, experiences, and perspectives.
John also advises aspirants not to fear challenges, instead accept them with open arms. The impediments must push them outside of their comfort zone. He reminds them that leadership doesn’t revolve around titles. It is a responsibility to create clarity and purpose for others. “If you can do that, you can build something truly transformative,” John concludes.
