DSME names CEO from among top management

By Kim Yoo-chul

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) appointed Executive Vice President Ko Jae-ho as its next chief executive Friday with current boss Nam Sang-tae on his way out.

If granted approval by the company’s board and its shareholders, Ko could be at the management helm by next month.

``The nomination committee has named Ko as the candidate to be the next CEO. Five candidates competed for the position,’’ DSME said in a statement.

The committee isn’t expecting any objection from the company’s board of directors and shareholders, both scheduled to meet next month, company insiders said.

``Ko is definitely qualified to handle DSME’s field and global businesses. He served a critical role in the company’s growth as a senior executive in the past five years,’’ said an official from the committee.

Ko graduated from Seoul’s Korea University with a bachelor’s degree in law and started his DSME career in 1980. He served as the president of its affiliate in Britain and also as the company’s human resources officer.

Nam earlier voluntarily resigned from the top post after Ko was listed as a CEO candidate by the committee, according to DSME officials.

The current CEO will immediately step down from the position after the official nomination of Ko, according to officials from the committee.