Park seeks to hire more Korea-Americans

By Kim Tae-gyu

LOS ANGELES — Kim Jeong-hun, who in March withdrew from consideration for the top post at the science ministry, participated in a forum on creative economies addressed by President Park Geun-hye, Thursday (local time) in the United States.

His attendance came after the President, earlier this week said in New York that she was considering creating more opportunities for Korea-Americans in her administration.

I am thinking of providing more chances for ethnic Koreans to help develop their mother country develop because they are full of creativity, imagination and have global abilities, Park said.

Kim, the former president of Bell Labs was tapped to become the first head of the new science ministry, the centerpiece of Parks pledge to achieving a creative economy, but he withdrew because of a parliamentary impasse over passing the bill necessary to create the new ministry.

Kim was invited because he is one of the most respected ethnic Koreans in the United States, said President Parks secretary, Choi Soon-hong.

Also at the forum were other successful Korea-Americans, who have achieved success in the worlds top economy. They recounted the struggles they overcame to develop great companies.

In her opening remarks, Park said Korea needs to overhaul its systems to attain the goal of a creative economy.

The private sector should spearhead a creative economy. We will make efforts to create an environment where entrepreneurs can try again after initial failure and their ideas can be appreciated, she said.