Kwon named as new AMD Asia head

David Kwon

By Kim Yoo-chul

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has promoted its Korean office head David Kwon to lead its Asian division, excluding China.

This is the first time that the California-based supplier of computer processors has named a Korean as the chief of its Asian business, AMD said in a statement, Wednesday.

Kwon will handle key AMD clients Samsung Electronics and Toshiba. He will also be tasked to find new business partners in India, Australia, Southeast Asia, as well as Japan, the statement read.

"This is good for Koreans and AMD’s Korean office as well. Despite market uncertainties, I strongly believe AMD will see new chances to grow our existing and next businesses with close collaboration with our trusted partners,’’ Kwon told The Korea Times by telephone.

Despite the promotion, Kwon will stay in Korea, meaning that the Korean unit will play the role as the Asian headquarters.

Kwon, who worked for DELL over 10 years as a marketing specialist, joined AMD in 2010. Since then, he’s been handling the semiconductor company’s global strategic division, helping the firm form an enhanced partnership with Samsung.

AMD has four regional heads. Under the command of CEO Rory Reed and chief sales officer John Byrne, AMD has regional heads for its main areas of North and South America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; China including Taiwan and Hong Kong; and Asia.