Bank of Korea Promotes 90 Employees in First Half Appointments, Citing "Expertise and Competence"

The Bank of Korea conducted its "2026 First Half Personnel Appointments" on January 23. According to the Bank, department heads and team leaders were appointed based on expertise, organizational communication skills, and diversity.

Exterior view of the Bank of Korea.

The Bank of Korea announced that a total of 90 employees were promoted on this day. Specifically, the promotions included 9 at Grade 1, 21 at Grade 2, 26 at Grade 3, 24 at Grade 4, and 10 at Grade 5. The Bank explained that candidates for promotion were selected through the Management Personnel Committee, which consists of executive members such as the Deputy Governor, focusing on employees who demonstrated outstanding work performance, significant contributions to the organization, and excellent managerial qualities.

A total of 19 individuals were newly appointed or transferred as department heads. The Bank explained that there was a large-scale demand for appointments as many department heads reached the end of their tenure due to entering the wage peak system.

Lee Seokwoo was appointed as the new Director-General of the Communications Department, recognizing his ability to drive work forward and his internal and external communication skills. Kim Younghwan was appointed as Director-General of the Economic Statistics Department 1, given his status as a leading expert in economic statistics within the organization. In addition, considering expertise and work capabilities, Kim Sanggyu, Head of the Payment Operations Division in the Financial Business Department, was appointed as Director of the Ethical Management Office, and Lee Jaeyul, Head of IT Infrastructure in the IT Strategy Department, was selected as Director of the newly established Information Security Office, both at Grade 2 department head level.

The Bank of Korea stated, "The new Director-General Lee Seokwoo contributed to expanding both internal and external networks while working at the International Cooperation Department and the Human Resources Development Institute. Later, as head of the Strategic Planning Team in the Planning and Cooperation Department, he improved work efficiency and communication among employees, making him the right person to further enhance the Bank's external communication function. Director-General Kim Younghwan has also built extensive experience in economic statistics over many years, making him the right person to enhance the usefulness and reliability of the Bank's statistics in the future."

Choi Youngjoo (formerly seconded to the Korea Institute of Finance), who has a deep understanding of the financial markets from working at the Financial Markets Department and the Monetary Policy Department, was appointed as the new Director of the Sustainable Growth Office. The Bank of Korea expressed expectations, saying, "Given his excellent ability to respond to various domestic and international economic issues, he is expected to successfully address key issues such as green finance and climate response in close cooperation with relevant organizations at home and abroad."

Kim Taejeong, who has demonstrated expertise in research on monetary policy tools during his years at the Monetary Policy Department (formerly Head of the Mokpo Branch), was appointed as Director-General of the Financial Business Department. The Bank stated, "We expect him to stably manage treasury and securities operations and successfully establish the Bank of Korea's new loan collateral system." Shin Jaehyuk, who has worked in various departments including the Foreign Exchange Reserve Management Department, the International Department, and the Human Resources Management Department, was appointed as Director-General of the Audit Office.

Kim Sanggyu, Head of the Payment Operations Division in the Financial Business Department, who has been recognized for his expertise after working for a long period in the Human Resources Management Department, was appointed as Director of the Ethical Management Office. Lee Jaeyul, Head of IT Infrastructure in the IT Strategy Department, who has successfully carried out major projects such as the reconstruction of the Bank of Korea Financial Network during his long tenure in the IT Strategy Department, was appointed as Director of the Information Security Office.

For the Grade 1 promotions, nine employees were selected for their dedication as current department heads contributing to organizational development or for demonstrating high expertise and outstanding contributions in their fields over a long period. These include: Shin Hyungil, Head of the Communications Planning Team in the Communications Department; Ha Hyukjin, Head of the Financial IT Division in the IT Strategy Department; Lee Jeongik, Director of the Economic Modeling Office; Song Jaechang, Head of the Financial Statistics Division in the Economic Statistics Department 1; Choi Byungo, Head of the Financial Institutions Analysis Division in the Financial Stability Department; Park Younghwan, Head of the Policy Planning Division in the Monetary Policy Department; Song Sangjin, Head of the Global Cooperation Division in the International Cooperation Department; Jeong Heungsun, Head of the Investment Management Division in the Foreign Exchange Reserve Management Department; and Kwak Sangkon, former Head of the Central Bank Cooperation Division in the International Cooperation Department (currently seconded to the National Economic Advisory Council Support Team).

In addition, to foster next-generation leaders who will actively lead the new Bank of Korea, Kim Eunjung (born in 1978), Head of the IT Center Construction Team, and Park Chungwon (born in 1977), Head of the Policy Cooperation Team, both born in the late 1970s, were selected for promotion to Grade 2.

To invigorate the organization, young employees at Grade 3 with relatively short tenure were newly appointed as team leaders. The proportion of Grade 3 appointees among new team leaders increased from 28.6% in the first half of 2024 to 50.9% in the first half of 2025, and to around 60% in the first half of this year.To foster female leaders, the proportion of female team leaders has also been steadily increasing. Among Grade 3 headquarters team leaders, the proportion of women rose from 14.6% to 23.3%, and to around 30% over the same period.