Looking at KT Outside Director Candidates... Zero Politicians, Enhanced Expertise

KT has announced seven candidates for outside directors. The new outside director candidates include Kwak Woo-young, former head of Hyundai Motor Company's Vehicle IT Development Center; Kim Sung-chul, professor at Korea University's Department of Media; Ahn Young-kyun, director of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC); Yoon Jong-soo, former Vice Minister of Environment; Lee Seung-hoon, representative partner of KCGI's Global Division; Cho Seung-ah, professor at Seoul National University's College of Business Administration; and Choi Yang-hee, former Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. KT plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on the 30th to establish the new board of directors and finalize the new CEO candidate by the end of next month.

The profiles of the outside director candidates show that they are top experts in their respective fields. Six out of the seven candidates graduated from Seoul National University. KT has also accepted candidates from competitors such as SK and LG. Outside directors play an advisory role in deciding major projects and management strategies. Notably, unlike in the past, none of the candidates have political affiliations. Until earlier this year, former outside directors Lee Kang-chul and Kim Dae-yu, who served on KT's board, held positions as Senior Secretary for Civil Society and Senior Secretary for Economic Policy in the Presidential Secretariat during the Roh Moo-hyun administration.

Ahn Young-kyun, Director of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) (from left), Kwak Woo-young, former Head of Hyundai Motor Vehicle IT Development Center, Kim Sung-chul, Professor of Media Studies at Korea University, Lee Seung-hoon, Global Division Managing Partner at KCGI.

Kwak Woo-young (67), a candidate for outside director, is an ICT expert with experience in telecommunications and terminal fields at LG Electronics and Hyundai Motor Company. After graduating from Seongnam High School, Kwak studied electronic and communication engineering at Korea University. He served as the head of electronic technology at LG Electronics, head of Hyundai Motor Company's Vehicle IT Development Center, and chairman of the Vehicle IT Convergence Innovation Center under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Kwak said, "Based on my expertise and experience, I will provide suggestions and advice to expand KT's autonomous driving, connectivity, and artificial intelligence business sectors and increase sales."

Kim Sung-chul (59) is an expert who has contributed to government regulation in media and solving industrial and social issues. Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in business administration and is currently a professor at Korea University's Department of Media. He serves as a non-executive director at the Korea Communications Agency, a member of the Media and Content Industry Convergence Development Committee under the Prime Minister's Office, and an outside director at Studio Dragon. Kim has conducted extensive research on a wide range of topics from changes in the broadcasting, telecommunications, and media industries to strategies and government regulations. He said, "I will contribute to supporting KT's future strategy design based on my expertise in the media industry, new media, digital business, and the networks I have built in ICT and media management."

Ahn Young-kyun (64), an accounting expert, is currently a director of the International Federation of Accountants and an outside director at Celltrion. After graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in business administration, he served as CEO of Samil Accounting Corporation, a member of the International Accounting Education Standards Board, and executive research director of the Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Ahn said, "As an accounting expert, I will strive to ensure the independent and effective functioning of the board of directors and the audit committee."

Yoon Jong-soo (63), recognized as an expert in ESG, graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in English literature. He served as Vice Minister of Environment during President Lee Myung-bak's administration and is currently a senior advisor at Kim & Chang law firm. Yoon said, "I will closely oversee not only environmental issues but also KT's corporate governance advancement, securing corporate sustainability, and social responsibility."

Lee Seung-hoon (61), representative partner of KCGI's Global Division, is a financial expert with experience in both finance and industry. Lee has held positions such as head of research centers at JP Morgan Chase and UBS Securities Korea, executive director in charge of M&A at SK, and head of ESG division at K-Global Asset Management. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in German language and literature. In March 2004, Lee joined SK as head of the Financial Improvement Team 3 in the Restructuring Headquarters and IR executive, playing a role in the management rights dispute between SK and Sovereign Asset Management. Lee said, "I will work to ensure that KT is recognized as an advanced and exemplary company in the global market, increasing KT's corporate value and earning premium shareholder value from market participants."

Former Minister of Future Creation and Science Choi Yang-hee (from the left), Professor Cho Seung-ah of Seoul National University Business School, Former Vice Minister of Environment Yoon Jong-soo.

Cho Seung-ah (56), an expert in management strategy and negotiation, is a professor at Seoul National University's College of Business Administration and currently serves as head of the International Cooperation Headquarters. She also serves as an outside director at Samsung SDS and has previously been an outside director at Aequon Capital and vice president of the Korean Strategic Management Society. Cho is the only female candidate among KT's outside director nominees. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University and a master's and doctorate in business administration from Columbia University. Cho said, "Based on my research and practical experience in management strategy and organizational theory, I will support KT's direction and strategic goal setting."

Choi Yang-hee (68) served as Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning during President Park Geun-hye's administration. A graduate of Gyeonggi High School and Seoul National University with a degree in electronic engineering, she earned a master's degree in electronic engineering from KAIST Graduate School. Choi has held positions such as head of the Information and Communication Standards Research Center at the Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, professor in the Department of Computer Science at Seoul National University, chairman of the Samsung Future Technology Promotion Foundation, and chairperson of Seoul National University's AI Committee. Choi said, "I will contribute to KT's growth strategy in future technology fields leading the convergence of science and technology. Based on principles and ethics, I will regularly review major company issues and propose fundamental alternatives."

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