McKinsey partner nominated for Seoul's top economic post
By Jung Min-ho
Suh Dong-rok
Suh Dong-rok, 45, a partner at McKinsey & Company’s office in Seoul, has been nominated as deputy mayor for economic planning, the top economic post at the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG).
The position has been empty since former Deputy Mayor Choi Dong-yun retired in July.
SMG’s personnel committee recommended Suh as the only candidate for the position on Monday. If he is approved by Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Suh will be the first to assume the position from outside. Until Suh’s recommendation for the post, SMG has hired from within. The organization started an open recruitment for the post in July. Park is expected to accept the recommendation next month.
What is striking about the nomination was not just the hiring process.
If he is accepted, which is highly likely, Suh will become the youngest person to ascend to the position. That is why some employees’ reaction is that of shock and high expectation for the normally conservative bureaucrat.
According to an official from the office of economic planning, there are two general managers and eight managers and “all of them are older than him.”
“This is an unprecedented case. Everyone was surprised when they heard the news,” the official told The Korea Times.
Suh obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Seoul National University before getting his Master of Business Administration from Yale University in the United States.
Then he passed the Public Administration Examination to work for the government for seven years before moving to McKinsey, where he worked for 13 years.
“I will try my best to improve the economy of Seoul and improve the quality of life for its citizens,” Suh said in a statement.
The SMG said it is “excited” about the new energy he would bring to the city government.
“He has been in charge of an administration project with the SMG for the past 10 months. We are excited because he not only understands Seoul well but will bring innovative ideas to the table.”