Six former and current chief investment officers from major Korean pension funds and mutual aid associations competed for the National Pension Service (NPS) CIO position in an interview held on the afternoon of the 20th. The candidates include Lee Hoon, current Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) CIO, along with five former CIOs from organizations including Suhyup, Private School Teachers Pension, Noranwoosan Mutual Aid, Saemaul Geumgo Federation, and Police Mutual Aid. All candidates bring extensive experience managing assets for major Korean institutional investors.
According to the financial investment industry, the six-way competition represents a consolidation of leadership from Korea's pension fund sector. One additional candidate who passed the document screening stage did not participate in the interview, having accepted a CIO position at another major domestic pension fund.
Lee Hoon Brings Korea Investment Corporation Experience
Lee Hoon, the current KIC CIO, worked as an analyst at Korea Investment Securities, Woori Investment Securities, and Samsung Securities. He joined KIC in 2014 and held positions including Corporate Analysis Office Director, Strategic Research Team Leader, Asset Allocation Team Leader, Investment Strategy Division Head, and Future Strategy Division Head.
Kim Ho-jin Led Suhyup Asset Management
Kim Ho-jin, former Suhyup CIO, is an equity specialist who worked in Hana Securities' trust department and securities operations division before managing equity investments at Midas Asset and Mirae Asset Management. At Mirae Asset Management, he served from Managing Director of the institutional investment division to Vice President before becoming Suhyup CIO.
Lee Gyu-hong Achieved Record Returns at Private School Teachers Pension
Lee Gyu-hong, former Private School Teachers Pension CIO, served as CIO at PCA Investment Trust Management and NH-Amundi Asset Management, and as CEO of Ascendas before leading Private School Teachers Pension asset management from 2019. During his tenure, he achieved the title of highest investment returns in the organization's history for two consecutive years.
Lee Do-yoon Served Two Terms at Police Mutual Aid
Lee Do-yoon, former Noranwoosan Mutual Aid CIO, is a fixed income specialist who built extensive experience in bond management from Korea Investment Trust through Samsung Asset Management. He served as Police Mutual Aid CIO for four years starting in 2016. Based on excellent investment performance and proven leadership, he became the first Police Mutual Aid CIO in history to successfully serve a second term.
Park Cheon-seok Expanded Global Investments at Saemaul Geumgo
Park Cheon-seok, former Saemaul Geumgo CIO, came from Samsung Life and built his career in overseas investment and bond management through positions including Samsung Asset Management, ING Asset Management Fixed Income Division Head, Public Officials Pension Fund Investment Strategy Team Leader, and Heungkuk Life Asset Management Division Head. At Saemaul Geumgo, he is credited with leading the expansion of alternative investments and global investment.
Han Jong-seok Held Multiple Financial Leadership Roles
Han Jong-seok, former Police Mutual Aid CIO, served as Cisco Vice President, K-Pin Asset Management Vice President, and Ecobio Chief Financial Officer before leading Police Mutual Aid asset management for two years starting in 2021.
FAQ
How many candidates participated in the National Pension Service CIO interview?
Six candidates participated in the interview held on the afternoon of the 20th. All are former or current CIOs from major Korean pension funds and mutual aid associations.
What experience do the National Pension Service CIO candidates have?
The candidates include Lee Hoon (current KIC CIO), Kim Ho-jin (former Suhyup CIO), Lee Gyu-hong (former Private School Teachers Pension CIO), Lee Do-yoon (former Noranwoosan Mutual Aid CIO), Park Cheon-seok (former Saemaul Geumgo CIO), and Han Jong-seok (former Police Mutual Aid CIO). All have led asset management at major Korean institutional investors.
