[Profile] Kim Jeonggwan, President of Doosan Enerbility, Nominated as Industry Minister...An "Energy Strategist" Bridging Public and Private Sectors

A Policy Expert with Experience at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Bank of Korea
Leading Export Strategies for New Energy Sectors such as SMR and Hydrogen

On June 29, Kim Jeonggwan, President of Doosan Enerbility, was nominated as the candidate for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. He is regarded as a practical strategist with experience in both public and private sectors, who not only understands industrial and energy policy but also possesses hands-on expertise in export strategies and global negotiations.

Kim graduated from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University and began his public service career after passing the 36th Civil Service Examination. He has served as Director General for Policy Planning at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and as Director General of the International Economic Department at the Bank of Korea.

After joining Doosan Group in 2018, he served as CEO of Doosan Management Institute and is currently the President overseeing marketing at Doosan Enerbility. He is credited with leading the group’s expansion into new energy businesses by spearheading overseas order strategies for next-generation energy technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR), hydrogen and gas turbines, and ammonia co-firing power generation.

Industry insiders describe him as a “bridge-type figure” who understands both policy and industry. This assessment is based on his ability to grasp the effectiveness of industrial policy thanks to his public sector experience, while also possessing global negotiation skills and a keen sense for securing contracts developed in the field.

If officially appointed as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy after the upcoming confirmation hearing, Kim will be tasked with the dual challenges of revitalizing export industries and advancing the energy transition. In particular, as U.S. tariffs on steel and automobiles intensify, some analysts view the appointment of a figure skilled in both public and private sector trade as a strategic move in Korea’s trade negotiations with the United States.

He is also drawing attention as the person who will coordinate Korea’s strategic participation in projects such as the Alaska LNG project, which is expected to expand energy trade with the United States. At a time when an integrated strategy is required to secure decarbonization technologies, gas resources, and industrial linkages between the two countries, Kim’s practical experience is expected to be put to the test.

Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, commented on Kim, saying, “As a key talent with experience both as an economic bureaucrat and in the real economy, he will embody the President’s philosophy that now is the time to focus on growth.”

◆Profile of Kim Jeonggwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Nominee

▲Born in 1965 ▲Graduated from Gwangju Il High School and the Department of Economics at Seoul National University ▲Passed the 36th Civil Service Examination ▲Director General for Policy Planning at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance ▲Director General of the International Economic Department at the Bank of Korea ▲CEO of Doosan Management Institute ▲President of Doosan Enerbility