Kim Jong-cheol has been appointed as the new head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. He is a seasoned bureaucrat with extensive experience in industrial, trade, and energy policy, as well as foreign direct investment (FDI) initiatives.
Born in 1969 in Daegu, Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Spanish literature. He later earned a master's degree in business administration from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a doctorate in business administration from the Seoul Science and Technology University. In his 50s, he continued his education by transferring to the Computer Science Department at Korea National Open University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree and certifications in information processing and industrial technology.
Kim entered public service through the 40th National Civil Service Examination and has held various positions, including Director of the Steel and Chemical Division and Director of the Power Promotion Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He also served as the head of the Foreign Investment Administrative Support Center at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and later as the Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's Base Strategy Support Division, as well as Director of Trade Cooperation and Director of Resource Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
During his tenure at KOTRA, Kim focused on attracting foreign direct investment and resolving investment challenges faced by foreign companies, gaining practical experience in investment attraction. At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, he expanded his expertise in trade cooperation and energy supply policies.
As the head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, Kim is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the Incheon Free Economic Zone by advancing the Songdo Bio-Healthcare Cluster, attracting high-tech companies in semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), and fostering the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry in Yeongjong.
◇ Profile
△ Born in 1969 in Daegu △ Seoul National University, Spanish Literature △ Master's in Business Administration, KAIST △ Doctorate in Business Administration, Seoul Science and Technology University △ Director of Steel and Chemical Division, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy △ Head of Foreign Investment Administrative Support Center, KOTRA △ Director of Base Strategy Support Division, Defense Acquisition Program Administration △ Director of Trade Cooperation, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy △ Director of Resource Industry Policy, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.