Kakao Founder Kim Beom-su to Serve as Chairman of the National Opera Company

Kim Beom-su (57), founder of Kakao and head of the Kakao Future Initiative Center, has been nominated as the chairman of the National Opera Company.

According to the cultural sector on the 1st, Kim is expected to be appointed as the chairman of the National Opera Company soon after going through the appointment process by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The chairman of the National Opera Company, a non-executive position, mainly oversees sponsorships and support for performances. Since the National Opera Company became an independent foundation in 2000, business leaders have served as chairmen.

Past chairmen include the late Lee Woon-hyung, chairman of SeAH Group; Lee Gu-taek, former chairman of POSCO; and Park Yong-man, former chairman of Doosan Group. Currently, Seo Jung-jin, chairman of Celltrion, who ended his term in January, is serving until a successor is appointed.

A cultural sector official said, “Kim has shown great interest in the cultural and arts fields, including acquiring SM Entertainment,” and added, “It seems he accepted the chairman position as part of his social contribution activities, following his promise to donate more than half of his wealth.”

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