New KHNP CEO vows stronger global push

Kim Hoe-chun, newly appointed CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), speaks during his inauguration ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of KHNP

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has appointed Kim Hoe-chun as its 11th president and CEO, the company said Wednesday, as the new chief pledged to accelerate its global expansion in the nuclear power sector.

At his inauguration ceremony held at the company’s headquarters in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim underscored the need for KHNP to take a leading role in the international nuclear energy market, calling on employees to move forward together “with the spirit of riding the wind and breaking through the waves.”

“We stand at a turning point in the energy industry. The rapid growth of the artificial intelligence sector is driving a surge in electricity demand, while the global push for carbon neutrality presents us with an urgent challenge we must address,” he said. “KHNP must rise to meet these demands of the time and take responsibility for shaping the future of Korea’s energy industry.”

Emphasizing safety as the company’s top priority, Kim outlined key tasks including the stable operation of existing plants, timely construction of new reactors and enhanced radioactive waste management — all aimed at strengthening public trust.

The new CEO also placed strong emphasis on expanding KHNP’s global footprint by enhancing safety and technological capabilities, particularly in nuclear decommissioning, while securing competitiveness in the evolving energy landscape.

As part of its overseas strategy, Kim said KHNP will pursue a two-track approach focused on large-scale nuclear power plants and small modular reactors to gain an early foothold in global markets.

“We will successfully carry out projects we already secured overseas and conduct targeted bidding efforts to meet the needs of partner countries as we explore new markets,” he said.

Kim also pledged to build trust with local communities while strengthening labor-management relations through regular communication channels.

The CEO began his career in 1985 at Korea Electric Power Corp., where he held key roles until 2020, including head of planning and vice president of the management division. He later served as a research professor at Gachon University’s College of IT Convergence before becoming president and CEO of Korea South-East Power in 2021.

After the inauguration ceremony, Kim chaired an emergency meeting to assess the company’s response to the recent Middle East crisis, inspecting nuclear plant operations, safety conditions at overseas construction sites and the nuclear fuel supply chain.