Bank of Korea appoints two deputy governors to fill vacant posts

By Kim Byeo-ri, The Herald Business

The Bank of Korea said Friday it appointed research director Lee Ji-ho as deputy governor for research and statistics and human resources director Kim Je-hyeon as deputy governor for management, filling two posts that had been vacant.

Both deputy governors begin their terms Friday and will serve through June 4, 2029. With the appointments, all five deputy governor positions at the central bank are now filled.

Lee joined the Bank of Korea in 1997 and has held positions across key departments including the financial markets, monetary policy and research divisions. He also served as director for livelihood and economic policy at the Ministry of Economy and Finance before taking his current post as head of the research department.

The bank said Lee has made significant contributions to enhancing the quality of its economic outlook by introducing quarterly breakdowns of growth and inflation forecasts since taking charge of the research department, improving the transparency and effectiveness of monetary policy. It added that as an economics Ph.D. with broad understanding of domestic and international economic conditions, sharp analytical insight and strong drive, he is well suited to lead research on key near-term issues and medium- to long-term challenges facing the Korean economy as deputy governor for research and statistics.

Kim joined the Bank of Korea in 1996 and has built a wide-ranging career spanning both policy departments — including financial markets and monetary policy — and management divisions such as human resources and communications. He served as policy adviser, chief of staff and head of the communications department before assuming his current role as head of human resources.

The bank said Kim successfully established a stable and well-received personnel system and managed staffing operations through a recent organizational restructuring and new project initiatives, drawing on extensive practical experience and strong professional capabilities. It said his deep understanding of the organization, sound judgment, communication skills, flexible and rational character, broad network with officials at external institutions, and experience supporting the governor position him well to serve as deputy governor for management.