The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday it has appointed conductor Han-Na Chang as CEO of the Seoul Arts Center.
The ministry said Chang is the first female CEO with a musician’s background since the arts complex opened in 1988, calling the appointment meaningful for expanding diversity in the arts. Chang is expected to coordinate her travel to take office and, as early as April 24, receive her letter of appointment from the minister and begin a three-year term.
Chang is an internationally recognized cellist and conductor. She made her world-stage debut in 1994 after winning the grand prize at the 5th Rostropovich International Cello Competition at age 11. She later performed with leading orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra, the ministry said.
Since 2007, Chang has conducted a range of orchestras mainly in Europe and North America, building an international network and broad repertoire. In South Korea, she served as artistic director of “Han-Na Chang’s Absolute Classic Festival” at Seongnam Arts Center (’09-’14) and “Han-Na Chang’s Daejeon Grand Festival” at Daejeon Arts Center (’24-’25). In November 2025, she was appointed a visiting distinguished professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s Graduate School of Culture Technology.
Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said Chang brings “rich on-the-ground experience and leadership accumulated over 32 years” and a deep understanding of the performing arts through her global ties with music organizations and artists. He said he expects her to present a new artistic vision for the Seoul Arts Center, which he described as South Korea’s leading platform for foundational arts, at a time when “K-culture” is expanding globally.
The ministry also said it appointed Yoo Mi-jeong, a professor in Dankook University’s piano department, as CEO of the National Symphony Orchestra Foundation, and Park Hye-jin, a professor in Dankook University’s vocal music department, as head and artistic director of the National Opera Company Foundation. Both posts carry three-year terms.
Yoo is a pianist who graduated from the Peabody Institute’s piano department and graduate school and completed Yale School of Music’s artist diploma program. The ministry said she has remained active through concerto performances and solo recitals, and has taught at Yonsei University and the Korea National University of Arts, served as an adjunct professor at Gachon University, and has been a professor at Dankook University since 2003.
Park studied vocal music at Yonsei University and earned a master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music. She has been a professor at Dankook University’s College of Music and Arts since 2009. The ministry said she has performed widely in South Korea and abroad, taking leading roles in operas including “La Boheme,” “Carmen” and “Turandot,” and won the female lead award at the 5th Korea Opera Awards.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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