Former BMW Group Korea chief to lead ADeKo

By Yoon Ja-young

Kim Hyo-joon, an advisor for BMW Group Korea, has been elected to lead the network of Koreans who have studied in Germany.

BMW Group Korea Advisor Kim Hyo-joon

ADeKo (Alumninetzwerk Deutschland-Korea), a Germany-Korea network, announced on Sunday that Kim was elected as the next chief of its board at its general meeting, held at the Goethe Institute in Seoul on Friday. His term will last for three years.

Launched in 2006, AdeKo comprises around 20,000 alumni who have lived, studied and researched in Germany. Around 5,000 of them hold a Ph.D. and are working in diverse fields. AdeKo became registered as a corporation in 2013 following approval by the foreign ministry, and has been contributing to the mutual development of Korea and Germany through exchange programs.

Among those who have served as chief are Hyundai Motor Group Advisor Kwon Moon-sik, former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, former Korea University President Lee Ki-su, and former Ewha Womans University President Kim Sun-uk.

Having served as BMW Group Korea chairman, Kim Hyo-joon has been contributing to friendship and the co-prosperity of both countries. He is currently the honorary chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) where he previously served as chairman. He is also a board member of the Seoul Forum for International Affairs, and is serving as president of the monthly magazine, CEO&. He is also a special appointment professor at Yonsei University School of Business.

Kim said he will strengthen the corporation's networks, both internally and externally, while supporting diverse academic activities so that Korea and Germany can take a key role in global cooperation for civil society. AdeKo is preparing for diverse projects this year including an academic conference, music concert and partnership program between high schools of both countries, as this year marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between them.