The Korea SMEs and Startups Market Service posted a public notice Wednesday to begin the search for a successor to CEO Lee Tae-sik, whose term has already expired. Applications are due by Aug. 21. [Korea SMEs and Startups Market Service]
The Korea SMEs and Startups Market Service posted a public notice Wednesday to begin the search for a successor to CEO Lee Tae-sik, whose term has already expired. Applications are due by Aug. 21. [Korea SMEs and Startups Market Service]

Lee Tae-sik's term expired April 13; he continues in acting role until successor is named

Applications accepted Wednesday through Aug. 21; new CEO to serve three-year term, renewable annually

Candidates to be screened by document review and interview; new chief to oversee retail support for SMEs and small businesses

The Korea SMEs and Startups Market Service has launched a public search for a new CEO to succeed Lee Tae-sik, whose term expired about four months ago in April.

The agency's executive recommendation committee posted a notice Wednesday calling for applications for the position, with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Aug. 21. The agency is seeking one CEO; the term runs three years from the date of appointment and may be renewed annually.

"The executive recommendation committee has begun the process of selecting a successor to CEO Lee," an agency official said. "The board of directors voted to have the committee recruit a new chief executive."

Lee was appointed CEO of the agency — then known as the Korea SME Distribution Center — in April 2023 for a three-year term ending April 13. No successor has been named since his term expired, so he has continued to carry out the duties of the position.

The launch of the public search is expected to accelerate the formal process of selecting the agency's next leader. Candidates must have no disqualifying factors under the Act on the Management of Public Institutions. They should also possess experience and expertise in retail support for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, as well as an understanding of the agency's vision and the ability to carry out its mission.

Applicants must submit an application form, resume, personal statement and a job performance plan. The executive recommendation committee will evaluate each candidate's qualifications and competencies based on the submitted documents before conducting competency interviews with those who pass the initial screening.

The Korea SMEs and Startups Market Service is a public institution under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, established under the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act. It oversees online and offline retail support for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, the promotion of public procurement, and overseas market access. The incoming CEO will take charge of these retail support projects and the agency's overall operations for the next three years.


hong@heraldcorp.com