Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom: "Diplomatic Experience Will Help Hankyung Business Association's Global Leap"

Organizational Restructuring Seems to Take More Time

Kim Chang-beom, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Economic Association (KEA), expressed confidence on the 19th at the unveiling ceremony of the association’s official launch that his experience as a diplomat would contribute to KEA’s global leap.

Seoul Yeouido FKI Tower Korea Economic Association Plaque. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

At the event, Kim, the newly appointed vice chairman, told reporters that having a former diplomat serve as vice chairman of an economic organization "could be a significant advantage." He said, "While working on the front lines of diplomacy, I always prioritized economic diplomacy, and after concluding my diplomatic career, I served as an advisor at a major corporation (Hyundai Motor Company)," adding, "I believe all these experiences will be sufficiently helpful for KEA to stand at the center of a global leap."

Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in English Literature and from the graduate school of Johns Hopkins University in the United States. After passing the 15th Foreign Service Examination, he began his diplomatic career and served as Protocol Secretary at the Presidential Office and as Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union (EU).

He stated, "Returning to our original intentions, we will strive to become an economic organization trusted and loved by our people," and "we plan to undertake organizational restructuring and efforts to add new capabilities." However, he also warned that the organizational restructuring of KEA might take some time. Kim said, "(Regarding the restructuring) we will form a task force (TF) team with employees and seek external advice," adding, "It will take some time to draw the blueprint for the true future of the Korea Economic Association."

Meanwhile, on the same day, KEA held the unveiling ceremony of a commemorative plaque in front of the main gate of the FKI Tower in Yeouido (formerly the Federation of Korean Industries building). KEA removed the signboard of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), which had been used for 55 years since 1968, and took a step toward a new beginning. About 100 people attended the ceremony, including Vice Chairman Kim, KEA Chairman Ryu Jin, Samyang Holdings Chairman Kim Yoon, Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, and KEA executives and staff.

In his greeting, Chairman Ryu said, "Changing the name of the Korea Economic Association after 55 years is to recall the original intentions at the time of its founding and to achieve genuine change. I hope all executives and staff will unite their strength and wisdom on the path toward becoming Korea’s representative global think tank." KEA’s new slogan is ‘The Center of Korea’s Global Economic Leap.’ It embodies the vision of Korea’s entry into the G7 and its leap as a global first mover, as well as KEA’s commitment to playing a pivotal role as a global think tank.

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