Hong Eui-rak, who was appointed as the new CEO of Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), stated on July 29 that the decades of accumulated liquefied natural gas (LNG) value chain, national supply network, and global business experience are vital national assets for South Korea. He emphasized his commitment to enhancing KOGAS's competitiveness and solidifying its future growth foundation through financial recovery and increased corporate value.
In his inaugural speech, Hong remarked, "KOGAS is not merely a company that imports and supplies natural gas; it is a strategic public enterprise that supports the industry and the lives of the people while ensuring national energy security."
Hong was officially appointed as the 19th president of KOGAS after being elected at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting on July 23, followed by the recommendation of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and presidential approval. A graduate of Korea University with a degree in agricultural economics, he has previously served as a member of the National Assembly and as the Deputy Mayor of Daegu.
During his time in the National Assembly, he gained extensive experience in energy policy and industry as a member of the Committee on Trade, Industry, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises. His term as CEO will last for three years, until July 28, 2029.
On this day, he presented a vision of "Connecting the Future of Energy in South Korea," outlining three key management directions: enhancing the status and value of KOGAS, establishing its role as a bridge energy provider, and redesigning the company as an AI-based energy platform.
Hong noted, "With the rapid advancement of AI technology and the restructuring of the global energy supply chain, the ability to provide stable energy supply is becoming a key factor in national competitiveness." He emphasized the need to develop natural gas as a bridge energy source that complements renewable energy, promoting a balanced energy transition that achieves both energy security and carbon neutrality.
He also stated, "By leveraging AI and data, we will enhance core functions such as demand forecasting, supply chain operations, and global trading, redesigning KOGAS as an energy platform company integrated with AI. Safety will be prioritized as the foremost value in all management activities, and we will establish an AI-based safety management system."
Furthermore, he added, "We will build a public enterprise that earns greater trust from the people based on integrity, financial soundness, trust between labor and management, and coexistence with local communities."
After his appointment, Hong visited the central control center to assess the current status of natural gas supply in light of geopolitical risks, including recent developments in the Middle East. He also inspected the cybersecurity monitoring center and information systems office to review the cyber response systems for critical national energy infrastructure and the status of AI transformation.
During his visit to the local supply management office, he checked the operational status of natural gas supply facilities and safety management systems in preparation for extreme heat and heavy rainfall.
Hong concluded, "Both energy security and AI innovation ultimately depend on safe operations. The competitiveness in the AI era begins with stable energy supply, and we will work to create KOGAS as a company that connects the future of energy in South Korea."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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