Korea Testing Certification (KTC) said Tuesday that Yang Byung-nae, a former standing commissioner of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Trade Commission, took office as its 6th president.
Yang passed the 39th state administrative examination and holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Yonsei University and a doctorate in economics from the University of Missouri. He is a veteran of industrial and trade policy, having served as an administrative official at Cheong Wa Dae, director of the automotive division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, inaugural director of hydrogen economy policy, vice minister for trade, and standing commissioner of the Trade Commission.
As vice minister for trade, he led South Korea's response to major trade issues including the US Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act. As the inaugural director of hydrogen economy policy, he oversaw the development of a clean hydrogen ecosystem and safety management framework. During his tenure as a Trade Commission standing commissioner, he handled remedies against unfair trade practices and the protection of intellectual property rights in advanced industries.
In his inaugural remarks Tuesday, Yang said he would work to make KTC "a global solution leader with world-class competitiveness — from planning new businesses and conducting R&D demonstrations to resolving global regulations and entering markets."
To that end, he said KTC would pursue expansion into advanced new businesses such as semiconductors, AI and future mobility; upgrade its core operations and broaden its infrastructure, including completing an ultra-high-voltage and direct-current power grid cluster; extend its overseas certification market presence and networks in the United States, Europe and ASEAN; develop region-specific projects and expand R&D in line with the government's balanced national growth policy; and establish a fair performance evaluation and rational compensation system with the participation of all staff.
"A crisis has always been the most powerful opportunity for a leap forward," Yang said. "I will do my utmost to position KTC not only as a trusted safety guardian for the public and the best technology partner for businesses, but as an innovative research institute that leads the global testing and certification market."
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