Korea Startup Forum Elects Kim Jaewon of Alice Group as One of Five Chair Candidates

Korea Startup Forum Holds First Board Meeting for 2026
New Chair to Be Decided at Next Month's General Meeting

The Korea Startup Forum has elected Kim Jaewon, CEO of Alice Group, as one of the five chair candidates, as the term of Chairman Han Sangwoo is set to expire in February.

The Korea Startup Forum announced on the 21st that it held its first board meeting of 2026 at Tipstown S6 in Yeoksam-dong, where this decision was made. Due to the expiration of Chairman Han's term, a vote was conducted during the board meeting to select a chair candidate, and Kim Jaewon was ultimately nominated. The final result will be determined at the regular general meeting on February 26.

Kim Jaewon, CEO of Alice Group, who was elected as one of the five chair candidates of the Korea Startup Forum, along with other board members, are posing for a commemorative photo (center back). Kospo

During this board meeting, major agenda items such as this year's business plan were also discussed. The Korea Startup Forum plans to transform itself into a platform organization that defines problems and connects solutions across the areas of policy, global, industry, and culture in response to the rapidly changing ecosystem this year. In particular, as the forum marks its 10th anniversary, it aims to demonstrate that startups are the main drivers and innovators in society, and to redefine the economic brand of South Korea.

Starting from its 10th anniversary, the forum has also set a goal to connect the previously segmented areas of policy, global, artificial intelligence (AI), and community into one organic flow. Specifically, it has established various business plans, including: ▲ establishing a continuous cooperation framework with the government, National Assembly, and ministries ▲ promoting the spread of a natural startup culture ▲ building a global founder network ▲ and creating an execution-oriented environment for AI transformation (AX) and entry into new industries.

Han Sangwoo, Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, stated, "The forum will continue to establish a strategic system to evolve into an execution-focused organization that connects policy, global, AI, and community into a single flow," adding, "As the go-to solution platform for startups, we will go beyond simply facilitating innovation and will directly define and solve problems ourselves."