According to the credit finance industry on May 20, the association's candidate recommendation committee closed applications for the next president at 6 p.m. the previous day. A total of five individuals have applied for the position.
The known candidates include Lee Dong-cheol, former president of KB Kookmin Card; Park Kyung-hoon, former CEO of Woori Financial Capital; Kim Sang-bong, an economics professor at Hansung University; Yoon Chang-hwan, former chief secretary to the Speaker of the National Assembly; and Jang Do-jung, former policy advisor at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Among the candidates, Park is being prominently mentioned as a strong contender from the private sector, while Yoon is seen as a significant figure from the political realm. Park, who previously served as CEO of Woori Financial Capital, has emerged as a dark horse in the application process. Yoon, who held the position of chief secretary to the Speaker of the National Assembly during the Moon Jae-in administration in 2018, brings political experience to the table.
However, both candidates lack direct experience leading the card industry, which is a significant segment of the credit finance sector. Given the importance of card companies within the association, issues such as card fees, merchant regulations, and expansion of new business areas are expected to be critical factors in evaluating the next president's qualifications.
In contrast, Lee Dong-cheol's background as the former head of KB Kookmin Card is considered a strong advantage. Kim Sang-bong, an expert in finance and economics, offers a unique perspective as an academic candidate.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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