[Occasional Asset Disclosure] Assets of 73 Senior Public Officials Revealed... Sungkyu Ko, President of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Reports Highest at 23.6 Billion Won

Kim Joungho, President of Korea National Open University, Reports 9.8 Billion Won in Assets

Kim Wol-yong, Head of the National Institute for Lifelong Education, Reports 9.4 Billion Won

Shin Hyun-Song, Governor of the Bank of Korea, Registers

The Government Public Officials Ethics Committee on July 24 disclosed the asset registration details of 73 high-ranking public officials, including Sungkyu Ko, President of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, who experienced a change in status (appointment, promotion, or retirement) between April 2 and May 1.

Sungkyu Ko, President of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine

Among current officials, President Sungkyu Ko reported the highest assets at 23,551,936,000 won, more than twice the amount of the second-highest, Kim Jongo, President of Korea National Open University.

President Ko declared real estate worth 13,801,140,000 won, including the Hanyang Apartment in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, which he and his spouse each own a half share of, his spouse’s commercial building and office in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, and a neighborhood facility in Daechi-dong. He also reported deposits totaling 5,590,458,000 won and equities in listed and unlisted stocks and similar securities totaling 3,890,396,000 won. While he owns land in Paju City worth 1,710,000,000 won, his debts—such as rental deposits and financial liabilities—amounted to 1,525,032,000 won.

The public official with the second-highest assets among current officeholders was President Kim Jongo, who reported 9,876,825,000 won. President Kim owns land worth 2,759,406,000 won in Cheonan, Chungnam, and in Ganghwa-gun and Gyeyang-gu, Incheon; buildings including an apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul amounting to 3,556,790,000 won; deposits of 1,733,900,000 won; and securities of 1,599,763,000 won. This shows an increase of 562,357,000 won compared to his previous declaration.

Kim Wolyong, President of the National Institute for Lifelong Education, was ranked third, reporting a total of 9,471,494,000 won. President Kim owns a detached house and neighborhood facility in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, and land in Jecheon, Chungbuk. The largest share was in securities, totaling 5,135,930,000 won, which included stocks, U.S. Treasury bonds, and Repurchase Agreements (RPs). His eldest son reported a co-ownership share of an apartment (Hoban Summit Edition) in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and Bitcoin holdings of 0.0856 BTC.

Shin Hyun-sung, Governor of the Bank of Korea, reported a total of 8,224,091,000 won. Governor Shin owns property totaling 3,589,364,000 won, including an apartment in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul; an officetel in Sinmunno, Jongno-gu under joint ownership with his spouse; and a stake in an apartment in Illinois, U.S., under his spouse’s name. His assets in domestic and overseas bank deposits and financial accounts totaled 4,605,280,000 won.

Shin Hyun-sung, Governor of the Bank of Korea, strikes the gavel at the Monetary Policy Committee main meeting held at the Bank of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of July 16, 2026. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Jang Hanna, President of the Seoul Arts Center, reported 7,817,173,000 won in assets. President Jang owns an apartment in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a detached house in California, U.S., deposits totaling 2,778,104,000 won, and overseas listed stocks worth 1,736,724,000 won. She also reported musical instruments—two cellos and cello bows—appraised at 1,370,110,000 won, and a Steinway piano at 133,745,000 won.

Additionally, Kim Heegon, President of the Independence Hall of Korea, reported assets totaling 2,371,476,000 won, including an apartment, mixed-use building, and land in Andong, Gyeongbuk. Ko Kwangheon, Chairman of the Korea Communications Standards Commission, reported 1,986,081,000 won, including an apartment in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and deposits of 815,649,000 won.

Hwang Kyoik, President of the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, reported assets of 56,655,000 won. President Hwang declared assets totaling 1,381,900,000 won, including an apartment in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, but after accounting for rental deposits and financial liabilities of 1,325,245,000 won, his net assets stood at around 50 million won.

Among retirees, Kang Junggu, former President of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, reported the highest assets at 7,230,600,000 won. Mr. Kang reported real estate worth 3,713,178,000 won, including an apartment in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and a detached house in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, along with securities valued at 2,105,480,000 won. He also declared 19 pieces of jewelry, such as rings and necklaces, under his spouse’s name, totaling about 110 million won.

Kim Kyucheol, former Director General of Housing and Land at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, reported 6,163,347,000 won, an increase of 742,019,000 won from the previous disclosure. The asset growth was attributed to the rising published price of an apartment in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and an increase in deposits.

Lee Chang-yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea, is answering reporters' questions at a press conference on monetary policy direction held at the Bank of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul on April 10, 2026. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Lee Chang-yong, former Governor of the Bank of Korea, reported 5,484,261,000 won, an increase of 31,658,000 won from his previous disclosure. Ha Jungwoo, former Chief Presidential Secretary for the AI Future Planning Office, increased his asset declaration by over 142 million won, reporting a total of approximately 4,395,000,000 won. Former Governor Lee reported clan land in Gumi, Gyeongbuk, and an apartment in Yongsan-gu, Seoul as his main assets, while former Secretary Ha cited his apartment in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, as well as deposits and securities.

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