Korea Disease Control Agency's First Commissioner Jeong Eun-gyeong... "An Outstanding Practical Leader with Excellent Crisis Management Skills"

"Trusted Inside and Outside the Organization for Expertise and Diligence"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 8th, Jeong Eun-kyung (55), the first appointed Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), is regarded as a representative of a 'field-oriented practical leader.' She has earned strong trust both inside and outside the organization through her expertise and characteristic diligence.

Born in 1965, the new Commissioner Jeong graduated from Gwangju Jeonnam Girls' High School and Seoul National University College of Medicine, and earned a master's degree in public health and a doctorate in preventive medicine from the same graduate school. In 1995, Jeong entered public service as a specially recruited researcher at the National Institute of Health, the predecessor of the KDCA. She has held key roles in national crisis management, including Director of the Emergency Medical Services Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Director of the Chronic Disease Division, Director of the Disease Prevention Center, and Director of the Emergency Situation Center at the KDCA.

When she was appointed as Commissioner in July 2017, she was unusually promoted directly from a director-level position to a vice-ministerial level (Grade 1) without passing through the senior director level, drawing attention as the first female head of the KDCA.

Commissioner Jeong is evaluated as a leader strong in crisis based on her expertise. During the 2015 MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, she led the field inspection team of the Central MERS Management Headquarters. At that time, then-opposition leader Moon Jae-in visited the KDCA, received a briefing from Commissioner Jeong, and was reportedly deeply impressed.

In particular, the leadership Commissioner Jeong demonstrated during the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) received focused attention from various global media outlets. In April, the WSJ covered the quiet leadership in COVID-19, stating, "Commissioner Jeong plays a key role in South Korea's pandemic response by holding daily briefings." At that briefing, when asked about her sleeping hours, Commissioner Jeong replied, "I sleep more than one hour," showing her workaholic side.

Because Commissioner Jeong is deeply familiar with the work through her hands-on leadership experience, she is known among employees as a 'strict' boss. She meticulously reviews materials before briefings and identifies and corrects mistakes that even the staff missed, demonstrating a thorough work attitude.

President Moon also places great trust in Commissioner Jeong. At the Cabinet meeting that morning, President Moon said, "I hope that the upgraded Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency will further strengthen infectious disease response capabilities and be equipped to proactively respond to and overcome even more severe infectious diseases after COVID-19," according to Blue House Deputy Spokesperson Im Se-eun.

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