Who Will Be the First KEPCO Chief Under the New Ministry of Climate? 'Bureaucrat vs. Politician vs. Third Candidate' in the Running

Application Open Until August 14

Kim Dongcheol’s Term Ends September 19

Lee Hoyoun, Jeong Jaehun, Kang Gijeong, and Kim Yeongrok Among Likely Candidates

As the selection process for the next president of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) gains momentum, there is increasing attention on who will become the first KEPCO chief under the newly established Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. With major tasks ahead—including expanding renewable energy, supplying electricity for mega projects such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, large-scale transmission network expansion, and even the integration of power generation subsidiaries—the next president’s expertise and political acumen are considered more crucial than ever.

On August 6, the KEPCO executive recommendation committee announced the job opening and will be accepting applications until August 14. The committee will review applications and conduct interviews, then recommend multiple candidates. This will be followed by a deliberation and resolution from the Public Institutions Management Committee, a decision by the board of directors, a nomination by the relevant ministry’s minister, and finally, appointment by the president. Usually, it takes two to three months from the call for applicants to inauguration. The current president, Kim Dongcheol, serves until September 19 and is expected to continue his duties until a successor is appointed.

A view of the headquarters of Korea Electric Power Corporation.

In government and the energy sector, Lee Hoyoun, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Climate, Jeong Jaehun, former president of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Kang Gijeong, former mayor of Gwangju, and Kim Yeongrok, former governor of South Jeolla Province, are being discussed as candidates. Broadly, the competition is between professional bureaucrats familiar with the new administration's energy policies and political figures with roots in the Honam region.

Vice Minister Lee Hoyoun’s greatest strength is that he is in charge of the current government’s energy policies at the working level. Born in 1967 in Yanggu, Gangwon-do, he graduated from Gangwon High School and earned a degree in economics from Yonsei University. After passing the 39th civil service exam, he has worked as an industrial bureaucrat. He was promoted to the post of energy policy chief in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in October 2023 and, after the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration on June 29, 2025, he was promoted to the second vice minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE). On October 1, 2025, following government restructuring, he became the second vice minister of the Ministry of Climate. He is consistently considered a strong candidate due to his ability to ensure continuity in new government policy.

Jeong Jaehun, former president of KHNP, is a well-established energy bureaucrat, having served as director-general for energy and resources at MOTIE. Born in 1960 in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, he graduated from Yongmun High School in Seoul and studied sociology at Sungkyunkwan University. He entered public service by passing the 26th civil service exam and has held major positions. He led KHNP during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Kang Gijeong, former mayor of Gwangju, has long been active in politics in the Gwangju and South Jeolla region, where KEPCO’s headquarters is located. His strengths include understanding regional issues and strong political negotiation skills. Kim Yeongrok, former governor of South Jeolla Province, is also being considered as a political figure based in the Honam region. He is recognized for his deep understanding of the South Jeolla region, where KEPCO’s headquarters is located, and for his experience in local administration.

The greatest challenge for the next president is expanding the power grid. According to the 11th Basic Transmission and Transformation Facility Plan, KEPCO needs to invest 72.8 trillion won in grid expansion by 2038. To supply electricity on time for mega projects such as AI and semiconductors, KEPCO must build transmission lines and substations in a timely manner, while also addressing conflicts that may arise with local residents and governments during this process. Another major challenge is the integration of the five state-owned power generation companies. How the new president restructures the consolidated organization and businesses, and defines the roles of KEPCO and the unified generation company will significantly reshape the power industry landscape.

KEPCO presidents were mostly bureaucrats for a while, but in 2008, Kim Ssangsoo, formerly CEO of LG Electronics, marked a turning point when he took office. He was succeeded by Kim Junggyum, formerly of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, who clashed with the government over electricity rates and resigned abruptly after just one year. Subsequently, presidents such as Cho Hwanik, Kim Jonggap, and Jeong Seungil—all from MOTIE—have served, and in 2023, under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, four-term lawmaker Kim Dongcheol became the president of KEPCO.

As of the end of last year, KEPCO employed 22,875 people. It is a giant energy public corporation encompassing KHNP and other power generation subsidiaries. On a consolidated basis, its assets amount to 255 trillion won, sales total 97 trillion won, and operating profit stands at 13.5 trillion won. The government and Korea Development Bank jointly own a 51.1% stake.

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