Lee Hyo-sik is Finance Desk editor at The Korea Times. He manages finance-related stories on macroeconomics, banks, stocks, bonds, crypto etc. He is passionate about covering what's happening in Korea's financial industry and explaining it to both Korean and non-Korean readers. You can reach him at leehs@koreatimes.co.kr. Your insights and feedbacks are always appreciated.
James Kim becomes GM Korea CEO
By Lee Hyo-sik
Sergio Rocha, GM Korea chairman
By Lee Hyo-sik
James Kim, GM Korea CEO
James Kim, chief operating officer of GM Korea, will be promoted to head the Korean unit of the U.S. auto giant in January next year, the company said Tuesday. Current CEO Sergio Rocha will become the company chairman.
The changes at GM Korea’s senior management comes at a time when the automaker is performing better than expected on robust sales of its Impala sedan and other Chevrolet brand vehicles.
“James has an outstanding track record as a leader in various industries, while Sergio is an automotive industry veteran who has been leading GM Korea for more than three years,” said Stefan Jacoby, GM executive vice president and president of GM International. “In their new roles, James and Sergio will create synergy to support GM Korea’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability.”
Kim, the former CEO of Microsoft Korea, joined GM in June this year and has developed a solid understanding of the automotive industry and the company’s business, according to company officials. He currently serves as the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Korea.
Kim received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Harvard University.
Rocha has been CEO of GM Korea since March 2012.
“He has been leading the continued development of the company’s operations, including the growth of the Chevrolet brand in Korea,” a company spokeswoman said. “In his role of chairman of the GM Korea board of directors, Rocha will continue to provide strategic leadership and insight to GM Korea’s leadership team, while supporting GM Uzbekistan operations.”
To enable a smooth transition within GM Korea, effective immediately, heads of all business units will report to Kim, the spokeswoman said. He will then report to Rocha and the GM Korea board of directors.