Busan Port Finds Replacement for Future IMO Head

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has selected Woo Ye-jong as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Busan Port Authority (BPA) – the operator of the country’s largest port and the sixth largest container port in the world.

Woo replaced BPA’s former CEO Lim Ki-tack who will take over the position of Secretary General at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in January 2016.

The new CEO took office on July 31, 2015 and will serve for a three year term. During his term, Woo plans to continue with the redevelopment of the old port as scheduled, as well as with the planned enhancements to the new port.

”My focus as CEO will be on strengthening the port’s competitiveness by improving efficiency and keeping control of costs. It is vital that we maintain a clear strategy to ensure we retain our current position as a global container hub port,” Woo said.

Woo was educated at Korea’s Dankook University and the University of Cardiff, U.K. He has worked in a range of Korean government maritime roles including Director General for Shipping Policy, Assistant Minister for Marine Policy and Director-General for Northeast Asia Logistics Hub Promotion.

Prior to his current appointment, Woo served as Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. He is also a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Logistics, Incheon National University.