Kakao founder appointed as opera board director

Kakao founder and the current chief of the Kakao Future Initiative Center, Kim Beom-su, has been named as the new director of the board of the Korea National Opera, a cultural foundation dedicated to introducing operas from overseas and developing...

Kakao founder Kim Beom-su [KAKAO]

Kakao founder and the current chief of the Kakao Future Initiative Center, Kim Beom-su, has been named as the new director of the board of the Korea National Opera, a cultural foundation dedicated to introducing operas from overseas and developing new talent in the local opera scene.

According to media reports on Tuesday, Kim will be officially appointed to the new position soon by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

However, neither Kakao nor the Culture Ministry confirmed the appointment.

Korea National Opera’s board director is a non-executive position that takes charge of the organization’s sponsors for its stages.

The term runs for three years.

Kim will take over the position from Celltrion founder and chairman Seo Jung-jin, who currently holds the position until a new director is appointed. Seo’s official term ended back in January.

Predecessors for the position include SeAH Group’s late chairman Lee Woon-hyung, Posco’s former chairman Lee Ku-taek and Doosan Group’s former chairman Park Yong-maan.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]