Kim elected to fight against COVID-19

Kim Yoon-sik

By Lee Kyung-min

National Credit Union Federation of Korea (NACUFOK) Chairman Kim Yoon-sik has been elected a member of a special committee under World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) set up to fight against COVID-19, the organization said Thursday.

Kim, the President of the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU), will help some 60 member countries of the global body set up and execute strategies to tackle the global pandemic alongside WOCCU President and CEO Brian Branch.

“I will outline a well-coordinated plan to help other countries navigate the unprecedented difficulty brought on by the pandemic. I will help them with providing personal protective equipment among other medical emergency supplies,” he said.

This comes about a year after he clinched a second term as the WOCCU director in July 2019, adding to his proven track record of leadership in the global organization. He was the first Asian to have had the two-year term extended.

Kim has since repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to the agency mandate of helping all people have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable financial services. He believes this will expand financial inclusion worldwide through the global credit union community and improve lives through credit unions and other financial cooperatives.

Meanwhile, this is the latest example of global recognition earned by Korea following a series of measures undertaken in response to the outbreak.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance wrote three booklets, which were shared among many international organizations including the World Bank and many development banks.

The booklets detailed how technology was utilized to help contain the virus and outlined government policies on the telecommunication-mediated training of medical professionals, the stable supply of personal protective equipment and ways to help virus-hit businesses with overseas operations.

WOCCU advocates for a better legislative and regulatory outcome for credit unions and their members.