Former Presidential Advisor for Information Science and Technology under Roh Moo-hyun Administration
Professor Heungkyu Kim of Ajou University Appointed President of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy
Advancing Experts in Regulatory Innovation fo

On August 7, President Lee Jaemyung appointed Taeyu Kim, a professor at Seoul National University's College of Engineering, as Vice Chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee. Heungkyu Kim, a professor at Ajou University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy and an expert on US-China relations and East Asian diplomatic security, was appointed as President of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. These appointments are seen as strategic placements of experts to lead regulatory innovation in industrial and technological fields and support a national interest–centered diplomatic strategy, as international competition intensifies over cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.


Taeyu Kim, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University Graduate School of Technology Management, Economics, and Policy

Taeyu Kim, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University Graduate School of Technology Management, Economics, and Policy

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Kang Yoojeong, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, announced these appointments in a written briefing on the same day. The newly appointed Vice Chair, Kim, is an expert in technology economics and national strategy, encompassing engineering, economics, and industrial policy. He also served as Presidential Advisor on Science and Technology under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, participating in the creation of science and technology and industrial policies.


The presidential office expects Vice Chair Kim to design a macro-level regulatory rationalization strategy linked to advanced industries such as AI, semiconductors, and robotics, based on his understanding of industry and technology in the era of full-scale technological hegemony competition. Spokesperson Kang described him as "the ideal leader for regulatory innovation to help Korea leap forward as a 'first mover with unrivaled technological leadership,' thanks to his outstanding leadership and integrative insight across public and private sectors."


Heungkyu Kim, appointed as President of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, is an international political expert who has long studied East Asian diplomatic security and US-China relations. He is currently a professor at Ajou University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy and serves as Director of the US-China Policy Institute. He has also served as a professor at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, the predecessor of the current academy.

Heungkyu Kim, Professor at Ajou University’s Department of Economic, Social and Political Convergence and Director of the US-China Policy Institute

Heungkyu Kim, Professor at Ajou University’s Department of Economic, Social and Political Convergence and Director of the US-China Policy Institute

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The presidential office highly praised President Kim as a "practical scholar" with experience in not only academic research and education, but also policy advisory. In particular, they expect that, in the context of rapidly changing international order and strategic competition between the US and China, President Kim will strengthen strategic research and the nurturing of diplomacy talent to support the "national interest–centered pragmatic diplomacy" pursued by the Lee Jaemyung administration.



Spokesperson Kang added, "We expect the Korea National Diplomatic Academy to emerge as a world-class research and education institution in the AI era, further strengthening the strategic research base and development of future diplomacy talent necessary to support national interest–centered pragmatic diplomacy."


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