[Asia Exclusive] Kim Sugon, Executive Vice Chairman: "Psychological Pressure Was Great... But Proud to Lend Support"

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Kim Sugon, Executive Vice President of the Korea Aviation Association. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Since his appointment in September last year, Kim Sugon, Executive Vice President of the Korea Aviation Association, reflected on the past year, saying, "The psychological pressure was intense."

He worked tirelessly for over a year listening to the difficulties faced by frontline workers in the aviation industry in crisis and making recommendations to the government and the National Assembly, but there were always regrets. Kim said, "Fortunately, when we made recommendations to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, they took proactive measures, and we received more help than expected."

Kim, a graduate of the 27th Administrative Examination, began his public service career.

His interest in the aviation industry began in 1998 when he audited a master's course at Korea Aerospace University. At that time, Kim, then a section chief, saw the future of the rapidly developing aviation industry and earned a doctorate. This was around the time Incheon Airport was still under construction in 2000.

While serving as the Director of the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration in 2015, he traveled to regional airports including Incheon, Gimpo, Yangyang, Cheongju, and Gunsan to gain hands-on experience.

The knowledge and human network he built during this time helped him work closely with the government during the COVID-19 crisis.

Kim said, "With the spread of the Delta variant, the industry is facing difficult times again. Although I feel the vague fear similar to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I also feel a considerable sense of fulfillment in being able to contribute to solving some of the difficulties on the ground together with the government."

◇ Major Career

▲ Graduated from Korea University, Department of Business Administration, 1983

▲ Master’s in Public Administration, Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University, 1985

▲ Ph.D. in Business Administration, Korea Aerospace University, 2002

▲ Appointed Administrative Officer (27th Administrative Examination), 1984

▲ Director of Aviation Safety Policy, Ministry of Construction and Transportation, 2010?2012

▲ Director of Incheon Maritime and Port Authority, 2012?2013

▲ Director of Logistics Policy, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 2013?2015

▲ Director of Seoul Regional Aviation Administration, 2015?2017

▲ President of Spatial Information Industry Promotion Agency, 2018?2020

▲ Executive Vice President, Korea Aviation Association, September 2020?Present