Hallyu expert Kim Yoon-ji appointed president of Korea Creative Content Agency, ending 1 year, 9 months vacancy

Kim Yoon-ji, a senior researcher at the Export-Import Bank of Korea's Institute for Economic Research, has been appointed as the new president of the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the appointment on Tuesday, filling a leadership void that has persisted for nearly two years since the previous president's term ended in September 2024.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Min-ho stated that Kim's appointment comes at a critical juncture for K-content, emphasizing the need to expand its global success into a broader "K-culture" for sustainable growth. Kim, who holds master's and doctoral degrees in economics from Seoul National University, previously worked as a journalist for The Hankyoreh IT Economy 21 from 2000 to 2005. Since 2009, she has been a researcher at the Export-Import Bank, focusing on the content industry.

Kim's expertise lies in analyzing the economic impact of K-content, including studies on export effects and financial infrastructure for global expansion. Her background as a researcher who views content through the lenses of exports, finance, corporate growth, and industrial policy is considered a significant strength. She has authored books such as "The Economics of the Box Office" and "Hallyu Outside the Box," and co-authored works on the industrial ripple effects of the Korean Wave and changes in content business.

The appointment follows a period of instability, including a previous candidate selection process in February that resulted in all five shortlisted candidates being deemed unsuitable. The prolonged leadership vacuum at KOCCA, an agency supporting various content sectors like broadcasting, gaming, and music, had raised concerns within the industry about organizational stability and policy momentum. With the global platform landscape shifting and AI's influence growing, attention is now focused on how Kim will lead KOCCA to strengthen the competitiveness of K-content exports.

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K-content must expand beyond global success into 'K-culture' to lay the foundation for sustainable growth.