Kim Yun-ji begins duties after inauguration ceremony Monday

Kim Yun-ji, the newly appointed president of the Korea Creative Content Agency, delivers remarks at her inauguration ceremony held Monday at the agency's headquarters in Naju. [KOCCA]
Kim Yun-ji, the newly appointed president of the Korea Creative Content Agency, delivers remarks at her inauguration ceremony held Monday at the agency's headquarters in Naju. [KOCCA]

"K-content is a vital export asset for South Korea and a driver of future growth."

Kim Yun-ji, the sixth president of the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), made the remarks at her inauguration ceremony Monday at the agency's headquarters in Naju, pledging to position KOCCA as a frontline base for spreading K-content around the world.

"I will work to firmly establish KOCCA as a specialized institution that not only drives the global success of K-content but also leads the worldwide spread of K-culture and its sustainable growth," she said.

To lay the groundwork for that expansion, Kim outlined four priorities: expanding the agency's role in creating new value from content intellectual property; strategically supporting the content industry from an export economic policy perspective; building an industrial foundation where creators and companies can grow; and proactively responding to advanced technologies, including AI.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced June 12 that it had appointed Kim — a senior researcher at the Export-Import Bank of Korea's Overseas Economic Research Institute — as the new KOCCA president. She is regarded as a content industry expert, having conducted extensive research and government policy advisory work during her time at the bank, including studies on the economic impact of K-content exports and proposals for building financial infrastructure to support content companies' global expansion.

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said he expects the new president to "leverage her expertise and insight into the content industry to strengthen the competitiveness of K-culture and lead a new leap forward."

After the ceremony, Kim met with staff, reviewed the progress of projects across departments and examined key pending issues as she began her duties in earnest. Her three-year term runs from June 12, 2026, to June 11, 2029.

Kim also plans to draw on her expertise and insight into the content industry to strengthen communication with stakeholders across broadcasting, gaming, music, animation, comics and webtoons, as well as with related institutions and regional hub organizations.

"I will listen closely to voices from the field and expand support so that creators and companies can grow," she said, adding that she would "do her utmost to ensure that K-content translates into K-culture experiences in the daily lives of people around the world and contributes to South Korea's economic growth."


balme@heraldcorp.com