KNOC, KORES, KDHC Presidents to be Retained

Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung, at a meeting with reporters on July 13, hinted at the retaining of Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) President Kang Young-won and Korea Resources Corp. (KORES) Kim Shin-jong for another term.
Minister Choi said, It is desirable to retain the CEOs of the state-run resources exploration & development companies in consideration of the continuity of businesses and human networking if they do not make major faults and give better performances. He stressed that KNOC and KORES require more continuity of their overseas business sectors, so it is more efficient to keep the incumbent CEOs of the public entities intact rather than replacing them. The minister also cited the CEO of Korea District Heating Corp. (KDHC), saying that if the CEOs of the public enterprises operating in Korea with no overseas network make excellent achievements and stabilize management, they may be retained for another term.

New KOTRA CEO Stresses More Attention to SMEs

Newly-inaugurated Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) President Hong Suk-woo pledged to reorganize his organization and focus on SMEs to shore up their global competitive edge.
The new KOTRA president made the remark at his inauguration ceremony at the KOTRA headquarters in Seoul on June 22.
Hong is a field expert for SMEs, having held such bureaucratic positions as the administrator of the Small & Medium Business Administration and the head of the Trade and Investment Policy Headquarters at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), the predecessor of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. He also served as the vice chairman of AT Kearney Korea and a professor in charge of industry-academia collaboration at Sungkyungkwan University.
As Korea strives to lead the era of $1 trillion trade, KOTRA is supporting the globalization of Korean SMEs so they can become reliable partners for businesses overseas. Through its investment promotion agency, Invest Korea, KOTRA supports foreign companies as they establish and successfully run businesses here.
KOTRA, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, is realigning its role and preparing for the next 50 years. As its new captain, I assure you that KOTRA will be a national trade-investment promotion organization to better provide practical support for both domestic and foreign companies, Hong said.

MKE Deputy Minister Tapped as KICOX President

Cho Seok, deputy minister of industries at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), was appointed president of the Korea Industrial Complex Corp. (KICOX).
A native of Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, the new KICOX president graduated from Seoul National University Foreign Affairs Department and obtained a master's degree in economics from Missouri State University Graduate School and a doctorate in economics from Kyunghee University Graduate School. He began his career after passing the 25th higher administration examination. Cho held such major government positions as the director of publicity at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), the predecessor of the MKE; the chief of MOCIE's Nuclear Power Business Corps; the director of energy policy at the MKE; and the director of industry policy at the MKE.

SLC President and CEO Cho Chun-koo Retained

Cho Chung-koo, the chief executive officer of Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corp. (SLC) has been reelected as president of the corporation.
A graduate of Korea University, Cho has held such positions as the executive director of Korea Environment & Resources Corp. (KERC), the predecessor of Korea Environment Corp.; the non-standing director of the Korea Eco Labeling Association and the auditor of KERC.
The Environment Ministry said CEO Cho was reelected president of the SLC since he has the necessary qualifications for the job of translating a plan to create a comprehensive environment/energy town in the Seoul metropolitan area, one of the key low-carbon, green growth projects and his capacity to handle the pending issues of the landfill site and rifts with its neighborhood communities.

Ex-KLFA Chief Kwon Named MIRECO CEO

Kwon Hyuk-in, chairman of the Korea Local Finance Association, took office as the president & CEO of the Mine Reclamation Corp. (MIRECO) on July 4, replacing Lee I-jae.
A native of Gangneung, Gangwon-do, the new MIRECO president is a seasoned local administration bureaucrat, having held such posts as Samcheok County head; the Chief of Planning and Management at the Gangwon-do Provincial Government; a secretary to Cheong Wa Dae; and the Chief of the Local Administration Headquarters at the predecessor of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MPOAS).
In his inaugural speech, the new MIRECO CEO urged his executives and staff members to devote themselves to transforming MIRECO into a more productive corporation by mustering its capacity toward its key customers, including local residents and local government bodies.
MIRECO was established on June 1, 2006 in accordance with legislation governing the prevention and restoration of damage caused by mines in a bid to integrate the related jobs that had been spread out to several government agencies as well as to implement relevant projects in a systematic and efficient manner.
Specifically, MIRECO assumes such responsibilities as the installation and operation of equipment designed to prevent damage caused by mines, R&D and training on mine damage and international collaboration projects on mining-related damage.
MIRECO, staffed with expert manpower, serves as a responsible, specialized institution designed not only to prevent substandard construction, but also to promote the development of technology aimed at preventing mine damage. Projects designed to prevent mine damage are being undertaken with a national view and the continuous management of closed mines ensures improved environmental conditions of mining areas, the health of residents and pleasant settlement buildup.
MIRECO strives to help the mining industry maintain sustainable development in order to ensure a stable supply of coal, one of Korea's industrial raw materials, by wiping out its reputation as the culprit of environmental pollution.

SNU Emeritus Prof. Kang, Chairman of New Nuclear Safety Commission

President Lee Myung-bak named Kang Chang-soon, emeritus professor of the Seoul National University Engineering Department, as the chairman of the newly inaugurated Nuclear Safety Commission and Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) President Yun Choul-ho as the vice chairman of the commission on Aug. 10.
The commission, created in accordance with the Act on the Establishment of the Nuclear Safety commission, promulgated on July 25, will be officially inaugurated on Oct. 26 under the direct control of Cheong Wa Dae.
Kang is a globally famed nuclear expert. He taught at Seoul National University Nucleonics Department and served as the chairman of the Korea Nuclear Society. He is now the chair of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management and the chairman of the World Council on Isotopes (WCI).
The new commission vice chairman-nominee Yun is an expert in the nuclear power field who has served as KINS's chief researcher before becoming the KINS president.

KAC President Sung Retained

Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) confirmed on Aug. 10 that the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs has notified KAC President Sung Si-chul that he will be retained for another one-year term.
President Sung is the only public entity CEO who has risen through the hierarchy of his organization to become its president under the Lee Myung-bak government. Since his inauguration in 2008, he has been credited with his roles in inaugurating flight routes to Osaka, Nagoya, Beijing and Hongquia Airport in Shanghai and for implementing strategies of specialization for each airport around the nation to augment air transportation. KAC has already gained global recognition when it took the No. 1 position among 23 surveyed airports around the world in terms of airport services. KAC has also earned a reputation by localizing the technologies of flight safety equipment on its own and has earned foreign exchanges by substituting imports.
KAC specializes in airport management and manages a total of 14 airports including Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu, Gwangju, Cheongju, Yangyang, Muan, Ulsan, Yeosu, Sacheon, Pohang, Gunsan and Wonju airports. KAC also manages the ACC (Area Control Center) and 10 VOR/TACs.
Established in 1980, KAC has never ceased its efforts to contributed to National Economic Growth by promoting efficient construction, management and operation of airports and enhancing air transportation movements. KAC will try its best to achieve its Vision 2020 of being a World-class Airports Corporation Creating Business & Life.
KAC is now embracing new challenges in the world market. KAC has developed and has made available customizable Air Navigation Systems based on distinguished safety and service ability and leading technology. KAC has developed a unique and customized Air Navigation System and Flight Information System. Moreover, KAC is participating in the Airport Management Consulting Business overseas, building a formidable international reputation as the leading organization specializing in airport management. nw

KNOC President Kang Young-won

KORES President Kim Shin-jong

New KOTRA CEO Hong Suk-woo

New KICOX President Cho Seok

SLC President Cho Chung-koo

New MIRECO President Kwon Hyuk-in

New Nuclear Safety Commission Kang Chang-soon

KAC President Sung Si-chul