Ex-finance ministry spokesperson named as ADB vice president

Kim Seong-wook, a former spokesperson at the Ministry of Economy and Finance who was serving as an executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has been named a vice president at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Former Ministry of Economy and Finance spokesperson Kim Seong-wook

The finance ministry said Thursday that the ADB appointed Kim as the chief partnership officer for its external relations division.

The post, newly created this year, empowers the appointee as vice president to fully address the ADB’s concerns over waning multilateralism in recent years.

“As a highest-level position, it will primarily be responsible for expanding partnerships with countries both within and outside the region, advancing regional economic integration, and strengthening international cooperation,” the finance ministry explained.

Kim’s appointment is noteworthy as the second ADB vice president from Korea since last year, following Um Woo-chong, who was the bank’s managing director general from February 2021 to July 2024.

“We expect that Kim as an ADB vice president will enhance Korea’s roles in terms of public services and regional economic integration, as well as stronger cooperation with the ADB,” it said.

The ministry statement indicated the government will continue to help talented officials advance to the global stage, referencing World Bank Vice President for Digital Kim Sang-bu.

Kim Seong-wook was the finance ministry’s spokesperson from August 2023 to September 2024.

He briefly served as an executive director at the World Bank before moving to the IMF, also as an executive director, in November 2024.

At the IMF, Kim represented a group of 15 countries, including Korea, Australia, Mongolia and New Zealand.