Kim Ki-Hwan Inaugurated as Fire Association Chairman: "We Will Safeguard the Nation's Future"

"Creating a Safer Society Is Our Mission"


Pledge to Evolve into an AI and Data-Driven Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Institution

Ki-Hwan Kim, the newly appointed chairman, introduced the new management catchphrase, “People Who Safeguard the Future of the Nation,” emphasizing the association’s ambition to become a comprehensive disaster risk management institution.

Kim Kihwan, Chairman of the Fire Insurance Association (fourth from the right), is posing for a commemorative photo after the inauguration ceremony.

At the inauguration ceremony for the 19th chairman held on June 22, Chairman Kim stated, “The reason for our association’s existence and our mission is to detect hidden risks, prevent accidents, and create a safer society.”

He also remarked, “A day without a fire and an ordinary day when families return home safely without disaster do not happen by themselves. Over the past 53 years, the association has been at the forefront of risk management and disaster prevention technology development in Korea. The expertise and experience we have accumulated, along with data gathered in the field, are invaluable assets that cannot be easily replicated by other institutions.”

Chairman Kim cited the increase in large-scale disasters due to the climate crisis, the emergence of new risk factors such as electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), and data centers, as well as the rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, as examples of a rapidly changing environment. He said, “Change is not a choice but a reality, and it is not a crisis but a new opportunity for progress.” To this end, Chairman Kim pledged to create an association that grows together, communicates together, and leads the future together.

Chairman Kim also expressed his vision to develop the association into a world-class risk management institution and an intelligent disaster prevention organization leading future safety. He stated, “We must evolve from a reactive organization that responds after accidents occur to one that predicts and prevents risks, one that not only safeguards safety today but also designs safety for tomorrow.” He added that the association will proactively provide solutions to emerging risks and expand its global cooperation network with leading international institutions.

Lastly, Chairman Kim emphasized that the association must become the most trusted comprehensive disaster risk management institution among the public and industry, setting the standard for safety in Korea and rising as the ‘control tower’ guiding national disaster prevention efforts.

Born in 1963, Chairman Kim graduated from Wooshin High School and studied economics at Seoul National University. Since joining KB Kookmin Bank in 1991, he has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Vice President at KB Financial Group, as well as CEO of KB Insurance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.