Kim Jun-seok, former maritime ministry official, tapped as next Korea Shipowners' Association executive vice president

Kim Jun-seok, 56, an adviser at law firm YK's corporate affairs group, has been designated as the next executive vice president of the Korea Shipowners' Association.

The association held a board of chairmen meeting Wednesday and conducted final interviews as part of an open recruitment process, then announced Thursday that Kim had been selected for the post.

Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in political science and entered public service after passing the 36th national administrative examination. He went on to serve at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries as director general of the maritime logistics bureau and director general of the fisheries policy office, overseeing shipping and fisheries policy. After leaving public service in 2022, he served as president of the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority and currently works as an adviser at law firm YK's corporate affairs group, handling corporate consulting.

During his time at the ministry, Kim was involved in efforts to address management crises in the shipping industry and develop industry support policies.

He played a role in securing liquidity for Hyundai Merchant Marine — now HMM — resolving the court receivership crisis at STX Pan Ocean, and establishing Korea Maritime Guarantee Insurance, the predecessor of the Korea Ocean Business Corporation. He is also credited with leading crisis response efforts for the maritime logistics industry when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global shipping networks.

Kim also contributed to regulatory reforms aimed at expanding cargo transport by domestic carriers. He pushed for support policies including expanded corporate tax deductions for shippers that use Korean-flagged carriers and subsidies for shipping companies replacing aging vessels with new ones.

Kim is set to formally take office after receiving final ratification at the Korea Shipowners' Association's 2027 general assembly, scheduled for January next year. His term will run for three years.