An Economic Expert Strong in Both Theory and Practice, Lee Dong-geun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation

Who is Donggeun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Korea Employers Federation?

Lee Dong-geun, Executive Vice President of the Korea Employers Federation. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Lee Dong-geun, the full-time vice chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF), who has long been active in both public and private sectors, is known as an economic expert strong in both theory and practice.

Vice Chairman Lee graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in Public Administration, earned a master's degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University in the United States, and obtained a doctorate in Public Administration from Dongguk University. He began his public service career after passing the 23rd Administrative Examination in 1979. He subsequently served as Director General of the Industrial Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Industry and Resources, Director of the Growth Engine Office, and Director of the Trade and Investment Office at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

In 2010, he moved to the private sector, taking the position of full-time vice chairman at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Serving as the full-time vice chairman of KCCI for over seven years until 2017, he earned the title of the longest-serving full-time vice chairman in the history of KCCI.

During his tenure at KCCI, he was recognized for strengthening the rights and interests of member companies and elevating the status of the organization. Afterwards, in 2017, he served as the president of the Hyundai Research Institute for three years, providing various recommendations for the development of the Korean economy.

Returning to an economic organization this year, Vice Chairman Lee's goal is to alleviate anti-business sentiment. His ambition is to take the lead in ensuring that companies gain high trust from the public.

Vice Chairman Lee stated, "The fundamental competitiveness of companies ultimately depends on the perception and level of trust that our citizens have toward companies in their daily lives," adding, "KEF must faithfully serve as a bridge by increasing various communication opportunities between companies and the public and actively promoting the positive aspects of companies so that they can be reborn as companies loved by the people."

He also pledged to strengthen KEF's status. Recently, KEF has taken steps to enhance its position as a comprehensive economic organization through organizational restructuring. On the 1st of this month, KEF established the ‘Regulatory Reform Team’ and the ‘Wage & HR Policy Team’ to strengthen support for companies, and renamed and adjusted the roles of the existing Corporate Management Team to the Future Innovation Team, specializing and systematizing its work.