Who Will Be the Next Woori Bank President to Bring a 'Saebaram' Breeze? (Comprehensive)

In-depth Interviews with Kwon Kwang-seok, Kim Jeong-gi, and Lee Dong-yeon on the 29th
Final Single Recommendation Expected as Early as That Day
All Three Born in the 1960s... Generation Change Regardless of Who Is Selected

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyo-jin] The sole candidate for the next Woori Bank president is expected to be finalized as early as the 29th. Among the initially mentioned candidates, the three youngest have been shortlisted for the final interview, highlighting a focus on generational change in this appointment. Financial circles anticipate that whoever is appointed will bring a 'fresh breeze' to the bank.

The Woori Financial Group Executive Candidate Recommendation Committee is conducting in-depth interviews from this morning with the three candidates on the shortlist for the next Woori Bank president. The candidates are Kwon Kwang-seok, CEO of the National Credit Guarantee Federation of Saemaeul Geumgo, Kim Jeong-gi, Executive Vice President and Head of the Banking Support Division and HR Group Division at Woori Bank, and Lee Dong-yeon, CEO of Woori FIS.

The interviews, continuing through the afternoon, involve candidates giving presentations they have prepared, followed by Q&A sessions with the committee members. The group’s recommendation committee plans to select one final candidate and recommend them to the board of directors on the same day. The final candidate selected through this interview process will be officially appointed at the shareholders' meeting in March.

CEO Kwon was born in 1963, EVP Kim in 1962, and CEO Lee in 1961, all born in the 1960s. The three youngest candidates were selected from a long list of seven candidates. Notably, CEO Kwon and EVP Kim are considered 'young blood' as they joined the Commercial Bank in the late 1980s (1988 and 1989 respectively).

A Woori Financial Group official said, "This is the first time since the transition to a holding company system in January last year that the Woori Bank president position is being separated," adding, "There seems to be a consensus on the need for new talent to lead the organization with youthful energy."

From the left, candidates Kwon Kwang-seok, Kim Jeong-gi, and Lee Dong-yeon

Currently, Sohn Tae-seung, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, concurrently serves as the president of Woori Bank. Last month, Woori Financial decided to separate the roles of group chairman and Woori Bank president and has been preparing for the appointment. Chairman Sohn was previously recommended as the next chairman for a three-year term.

Chairman Sohn plans to focus on the complete privatization of Woori Financial and business diversification through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of securities and insurance companies, while the bank president will concentrate on customer-centric management and strengthening sales capabilities.

CEO Kwon previously served as Executive Vice President of Woori Bank’s IB Group and External Cooperation Division, and later as CEO of Woori PE. Based on his experience in IB operations and overseas IR, he is regarded as well-suited to lead the bank’s CIB and global strategy initiatives.

EVP Kim has held positions such as Managing Director of Woori Bank’s Business Support Group and Executive Vice President of the Corporate Group. Woori Financial explained that he is highly regarded for his comprehensive capabilities in banking operations and human resources.

CEO Lee, who concurrently served as Executive Vice President of Woori Bank’s IT Group after the holding company’s establishment, is said to possess expertise across banking operations and digital sectors. He has held roles including Managing Director of the Pension Trust Business Unit, Executive Vice President of the SME Group, and Executive Vice President of the Domestic Division and Personal Group.

To ensure fairness and transparency, the group’s recommendation committee held three meetings on the 6th, 22nd, and 28th, conducting step-by-step verification procedures for the candidates. The committee consists of Chairman Sohn and five outside directors: Noh Seong-tae, Park Sang-yong, Jeong Chan-hyung, Jeon Ji-pyeong, and Jang Dong-woo.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.