KAI described Kim, a 31st class graduate of the Air Force Academy, as a defense industry expert who has held key posts in the Air Force and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
While working at the Defense Ministry, Kim conducted cost analyses for the KT-1 and T-50 programs. At the Office for Government Policy Coordination, he led the creation of the defense sector’s first dedicated organization for arms exports, the company said.
As head of DAPA’s command and reconnaissance programs division, Kim planned a range of strategic weapons projects, including reconnaissance satellites, and is seen as having a strong grasp of future aerospace and defense industries, KAI said.
In his inaugural address, Kim said he would seek growth opportunities despite an uncertain external environment. He called rapid technological advances and ongoing wars a rare “golden time,” and pledged relentless innovation and challenge.
He outlined four management priorities for KAI’s renewed growth: continuous innovation and challenge; developing cash-cow businesses and expanding the future business portfolio; building a win-win cooperation ecosystem; and creating “One Team KAI.”
Kim said KAI will expand existing revenue-generating businesses across fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned systems, satellites, software and avionics components, including the KF-21 Boramae, which is to be delivered to the Air Force in the second half of this year.
He said the company will also pursue portfolio expansion to secure future growth engines in areas such as software represented by AI pilots, avionics, manned-unmanned teaming systems, unmanned aircraft and drones, guided weapons systems and space projects.
To support that effort, Kim pledged to reorganize the company and establish a performance-based personnel system to foster a research and development environment that does not fear failure.
Kim also emphasized expanding strategic cooperation with domestic defense companies in line with the government’s “Team Korea” policy. He said KAI will build a horizontal communication system so all employees, including those at subsidiaries, work toward shared goals under a “One Team KAI” approach.
After the ceremony, Kim inspected the production site for a mass-produced KF-21 aircraft scheduled to roll out at the end of March. He also visited major production lines and offices, including the fixed-wing and rotary-wing divisions, the space center and the development center, to review on-site conditions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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