KAC President Kim Seok-ki (Photos: KAC)

Kim Seok-ki, former commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), took office as the 10th president of Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) at the KAC headquarters in Seoul on Oct. 16, replacing Sung Si-chul. His term is three years until Oct. 6, 2016.

The New KAC president said in his inaugural speech, “Executives and staff members have been united as one and have achieved remarkable business performances, despite business conditions such as the relocating of international routes to Incheon International Airport and dwindling passenger flight demand in regional airports.”

Kim called for his executives and staff members to renew themselves every day and continue to innovate in accordance with the direction of the new government’s policies and rapidly changing business management changes, adding that the sole way for continuing sustainability is to adapt rapidly to the changes.

As the first of the management tenets, he said, “KAC should secure new growth engines to create a bright future.” He noted that there were many cases in which notable companies made headlines, but failed to brace themselves for the future, as is the case with the film maker Kodak and telecom provider Nokia. 

Second, Kim said, KAC will have to promote shared growth with its cooperative firms and make sure that corruption-free management can take root. The corporation has a good track record and has been ranked at the top in terms of integrity among public organizations. He urged his executives and staff members to devote themselves to the solidifying of integrity management and spearheading efforts to make society transparent and just.

Third, Kim noted that KAC should take a performance-oriented work attitude and concentrate on translating its vision and goals into action.

Fourth, he stressed the need for strengthening safety and services. 

The new KAC president said he will take the initiative in solving pending issues, including a scheme to make Kimpo International Airport into a business port hub of Northeast Asia, the exploring of overseas airport projects, including the exporting of aviation safety equipment abroad, and nurturing KAC into a world-class airport management corporation through the creation of new growth engines.

Born in Youngil, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim is a graduate of Youngnam University in Daegu with a BA in administration and received his master’s degree in police administration from Dongguk University in Seoul.

He joined the police force in 1979 and served in various positions including chief of the Daegu Regional Police Office, principal of the National Police Academy, deputy head of the National Police Headquarters, and chief of the Seoul Regional Police Office.

In 2012, he ran unsuccessfully for parliament in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as an independent candidate.

Kim was named to head the Seoul Regional Police Office in July 2008. He was promoted to head the National Police Headquarters in January 2009. 

The KAC was established in 1980 to carry out construction, management, and operation of airports and to manage air transportation efficiently. As an organization specializing in airport management, KAC manages and operates a total of 14 airports in Korea including Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu, Muan, Cheongju, and Yangyang. KAC also manages the Area Control Center, 10 VOR/TACs, and the Korea Civil Aviation Training Center.