KEPCO taps former vice minister of MOTIE as new CEO

Chung Seung-il / Korea Times file

By Kim Jae-heun

Former Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Chung Seung-il has been practically nominated as CEO of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the ministry said, Sunday.

According to the ministry, the appointment for KEPCO's leader position will be announced officially by next month. The state-run enterprise has been publicly recruiting its CEO since March and Chung has been the only applicant. KEPCO extended the recruiting period to receive additional applicants but no one joined.

Chung passed the 33rd Higher Civil Service Examination in 1989 and has served key positions in the ministry including director general for the energy industry and head of the international trade and investment team.

The five power corporations of KEPCO held a general meeting of shareholders individually from April 14 to 16 to nominate their own CEOs.

Korea Southern Power selected Lee Seung-woo, former chief of Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, as its new CEO.

Korea South-East Power appointed former KEPCO Vice President Kim Hoe-cheon as its new leader.

Korea Midland Power tapped its company official Kim Ho-bin, who leads the technology security team, as its new president.

Korea Western Power chose former KEPCO Vice President Park Hyung-duk as its new leader.

Lastly, Korea East-West Power nominated former Commissioner of Korea Customs Service Kim Young-moon.