[Asia Exclusive] President Yoon's Confidence: "Overseas Business and UAM Will Definitely Succeed"

Public Service Career in National Projects
Interest in K-Airport and Future Air City
MZ Generation, Organizational Innovation and Growth Drivers

Yoon Hyung-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 12th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoon] Yoon Hyeong-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation, has recently been engrossed in overseas projects and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). During his time in public office, he worked on various projects beneficial to national interests, which gave him confidence that the corporation's capabilities could be sufficiently effective overseas as well.

During his past public service, he was involved in overseas divisions handling national infrastructure projects, national-level initiatives, and supporting the introduction of excellent advanced overseas cases and systems domestically. He believed this experience would be helpful to the corporation, which is a national security facility intertwining security and advanced technology.

He said, "At airports, we export K-Airport overseas including airport construction, operation, consulting, and also export our self-developed navigation safety equipment. These are areas where I can contribute my capabilities," adding, "I think I have strengths that can help secure overseas airport projects by leveraging my extensive overseas work experience and cooperative networks such as KOTRA."

His interest in UAM also stems from his early recognition of its high future potential. He had many opportunities to see new technologies through national projects, and while working on security-related tasks, he naturally developed an interest in UAM and drones. He especially expects UAM to be a core element in creating future air cities. This is why he plays related videos to promote UAM whenever foreign guests or stakeholders visit the airport. President Yoon said, "Advanced countries are aiming for commercialization by 2025, and we will also play a leading role to realize our own future smart airport," adding, "We will help build many UAM terminals in nearby areas at minimal cost and, in the mid to long term, connect long- and short-distance UAM routes to serve as a key hub infrastructure for regional air transportation services."

Another important focus for President Yoon since taking office is communication with the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z). Believing that the MZ generation can lead the corporation’s innovation and drive organizational growth, he listens openly to their ideas and promptly addresses their difficulties. He thinks that the creativity and autonomy of the MZ generation will become a strength of Korea Airports Corporation. In fact, the MZ generation accounts for 58.9% of the workforce at Korea Airports Corporation, a market-type public enterprise. This means that 6 out of 10 employees were born between the 1980s and 2000s. He emphasized, "I communicate with employees whenever I have time because I believe we need to raise the level of thinking of the MZ generation," adding, "Through reverse mentoring, the organization will be revitalized, and this generation will help make the corporation an innovative and creative organization."

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