Song Sang-rak Inaugurated as Head of Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone Authority

Inclusive Leadership and Administrative Experience Across the Board

Expecting Vitality in Development Projects Such as Investment Attraction

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] The Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone Authority announced on the 1st that Song Sang-rak, former Vice Governor of Jeonnam Province, will take office as the new commissioner as of July 2.

The new commissioner Song Sang-rak graduated from Gwangju High School and majored in Economics at Chonnam National University. He began his public service career by passing the 33rd Administrative Examination and has held key positions in both local and central government, including Director of Autonomous Administration in Gwangju City, Legal Affairs Officer, Director of Planning and Coordination Office in Jeonnam Province, and Policy Planning Officer and Organization Policy Officer at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

While serving as Vice Governor of Jeonnam Province, he was praised for demonstrating inclusive leadership by leading by example and communicating and collaborating with both superiors and subordinates, successfully advancing provincial administrative issues based on his outstanding planning capabilities.

Jeonnam and Gyeongnam provinces conducted a public recruitment process in March for the open position of commissioner (fixed-term No. 1) to select a suitable candidate to actively promote investment attraction and development projects in the Free Economic Zone. The candidate was selected through a selection examination committee and a personnel committee, and prior appointment consultations and personnel verification with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy were completed.

The selection examination committee and personnel committee highly evaluated the new commissioner Song Sang-rak’s extensive public service experience spanning central and local governments, his ability to collect and analyze government policy trends, political response capabilities including cooperation with central ministries, and his personal network and expertise in external cooperation built with the National Assembly and central ministries. He was reportedly recommended as the top candidate to the appointing authority.

It is expected that the new commissioner Song Sang-rak will leverage his experience and career handling core tasks in central and local governments to focus on fostering the Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone as a future engine of innovative growth and establish its status as a dynamic international trade city harmonized with culture and tourism.

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