[Keynote Speaker]

Yeom Jaeho

태재대학교
President

[Moderator]

Kim Hyun-Woo

Pukyong National University
Professor

Professor Hyun Woo Kim received his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University, USA, in 2004, and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Utah on marine conotoxins. Since his appointment as an assistant professor at Pukyong National University in 2006, he has advanced through the ranks to full professor, contributing significantly to research and education in marine biology both domestically and internationally. His primary research interests lie in marine molecular biology and environmental genomics, with a focus on the impacts of climate change on fisheries resources and marine ecosystems. To date, he has published over 170 articles in leading international journals. He has also contributed to the Korean editions of Marine Biology and Concepts in Biology, co-authored the Identification Guide for Invertebrate Larvae in Korean Waters, and currently serves as Associate Editor of the journal Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science. In recognition of his research achievements and service to the academic community, he received the Sajo Academic Achievement Award, and he has been frequently invited to deliver lectures at national and international conferences and research institutions on molecular biology–based approaches to marine ecosystem studies.

[Speaker]

Hari Eko Irianto

National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
Research Group Leader for Marine Bio-products

Prof. Dr. Hari Eko Irianto is a Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia, specializing in post-harvest fisheries technology, marine biotechnology, and food product development. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Product Technology from IPB University (Bogor) in 1983 and continued his postgraduate studies at Massey University, New Zealand, obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Technology (1990) and a Ph.D. in Food Technology (1992). He began his career at the Research and Development Center for Marine and Fisheries Product Processing and Biotechnology in 1984 and subsequently held several leadership positions, including Head of Research Operation Division (2001–2005), Director of the Research and Development Center for Marine and Fisheries Product Processing and Biotechnology (2005–2013; 2017–2020), Director of the Research Center for Fisheries Management and Conservation (2013–2015), and Director of the Center for Fisheries Research and Development (2015–2017). Since 2008, he has held the title of Research Professor, contributing extensively to advancing marine-based bioproduct innovation. In parallel, he has been active in academia. He has lectured at Sahid University (Jakarta) since 1995—where he was appointed Professor of Food Technology in 2009—, AUP Fisheries Polytechnic (Jakarta) since 1994, and IPB University (Bogor) since 1996 . Through teaching and supervision, he has contributed to developing human resources in fisheries science and food technology. Prof. Irianto is also an active member of numerous professional organizations. He has been a member of the Indonesian Food Technologist Association (PATPI) since 1984, and the Indonesian Biotechnology Consortium since 2007, where he currently serves as an advisory member. He also served as Chairman (2009–2018) and is currently Senior Advisor (2019– present) of the Indonesian Fisheries Product Processing Society. His research focuses on valorizing marine resources into functional foods, edible films, biodegradable plastics, and seaweed-derived biomaterials. He has led numerous projects funded by JICA, ACIAR, LPDP, and BRIN, with outcomes spanning patents, scientific publications, and scalable technologies for sustainable industry. His work emphasizes integrating scientific innovation with blue economy principles to address food security, health, and environmental sustainability. He has authored over 235 scientific publications in national and international journals, several books on fish fermentation and product development, and serves as an editor for journals such as Journal of Indonesian Fisheries Product Processing, Indonesia Fishery Research Journal and Squalen Bulletin of Marine and Fisheries Postharvest and Biotechnology. Internationally, he has collaborated with leading institutions including the University of Tsukuba (Japan), ACIAR (Australia), Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (Germany), and First Institute of Oceanography (China). For his contributions, he was awarded the Satya Lencana Pembangunan ((Development Medal of Merit) by the President of Indonesia in 2020. Currently, he continues to advance research on marine-based functional foods and bioproducts, bridging fundamental science with industrial applications to support sustainable innovation.

[Speaker]

Joo Hui-Tae

National Institute of Fisheries Science
Researcher

Dr. Hui Tae Joo (1987) earned his B.S. in Oceanography from Pukyong National University in 2011, followed by his M.S. (2013) and Ph.D. (2016) in the same field from Pusan National University. Since completing his doctorate, he has served as a researcher in the Climate Change Research Division at the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) for seven years. His work focuses on monitoring marine ecosystems in Korean seas and conducting satellite-based marine environmental observations. Founded in 1949, NIFS is a leading national research institute for marine and fisheries sciences in Korea. The institute manages national research programs on climate change, fisheries resource management, and aquaculture, while also contributing to disaster response, technological innovation, and national policy-making.

[Speaker]

Park Sang-Rul

Jeju National University
Professor

Dr. Sang Rul Park serves as an Professor at Jeju National University. He received a Ph.D. in Biology from Pusan National University (2008.08.) and has previously worked as a Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute. He is working on marine plant (seagrass, seaweed and salt marsh plant) physiological ecology, and seaweed based integrated aquaculture. He is also interested in seagrass habitat restoration to enhance carbon sequestration and ecosystem services in estuarine and coastal zones. Sang Rul conducted the planning research that is relevant to this symposium during last two years. He brings important background on marine carbon dioxide capture and removal. Sang Rul Park currently serves as Vice President of the Korean Society of Environmental Biology and as a Council Member of the Korean Society of Phycology. He actively in the research and development projects “Development of adaptation strategies for marine environments in response to subtropicalization: scenarios, solutions and utilization” and “Korea-US joint development of seaweed biomass production system technology”, both of which were launched in 2025.

[Speaker]

Yoon Moon-Geun

National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea
Head of Department of Bioindustrial strategy

Dr. Moongeun Yoon(born 1974) earned his bachelor's and master's degree in Aquaculture from Gangneung-Wonju National University (2002) and his Ph.D. in Molecular Ecology from Hokkaido University in Japan (2007). He worked as Postdoctoral posion at Pukyong National University (2011), and has been working at National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK) since 2015. He is in charge of the Department of Bioindustrial Strategy for the establishment of material acquisition and technology commercialization strategies for the activation of marine bio-industry. He is also in charge of operation of Marine Bio-Bank.

[Moderator]

The Rebound of the Cruise Industry

Oh Yong-Sik

College of Maritime Humanities & Social Sciences, Korea Maritime & Ocean University
Dean

Professor Oh Yong-Sik(1969) majored in nautical science at Korea Maritime University(1991) and market science at the Graduate School of Kobe University(2002). The major research fields are marine industries, including shipping, port, and international logistics, and he had various experiences of research and education at Korea Maritime Institute, Tongmyong University, Dongeui University, and University of Rhode Island. And he has been working for Korea Maritime and Ocean University, as a professor in the Division of International Trade and Economics, since 2007. He is currently a directing member of many academic societies related with marine industry including KPEA, KINPR, KASL, and serves as the dean of the College of Maritime Humanities and Social Sciences of the Korea Maritime & Ocean University. And also, he is a long-time member of the Korea Cruise Forum and investigating the marine leisure and cruise industry as an important axis of the future marine industry.

[Speaker]

Kang Sook-Young

Dept. of Tourism Management and Development, Kyonggi University
Associate Professor

Professor Sook-Young Kang received her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Tourism Studies from Rikkyo University in Japan and is currently a professor in the Department of Tourism Development and Management at Kyonggi University. She has a strong interest in the cruise tourism industry and has been actively engaged in research and policy development to promote cruise tourism in Asia. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the Secretary General of the Asia Cruise Leaders Network and contributed to the establishment and planning of the Asia Cruise Forum Jeju

[Speaker]

Yusuke Itokawa

Japan International Cruise Committee
Vice Chairman

He has almost 30 years of experience in the cruise industry and has worked to expand the cruise market in Japan from the perspective of both Japanese domestic and international cruise companies. He is also a certified cruise consultant. He started his career in charter and leisure cruise sales with Japan Cruise Lines and was involved in sales and marketing of cruises to and from Singapore, Hong Kong, Kobe, and Fukuoka with Star Cruises, based in Hong Kong. He then spent about 12 years with Miki Tourist, the exclusive general sales agent for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, where he was involved in the sales and marketing of Fly Cruise and Japan homeporting, as well as the operation of cruises to and from Japan, and coordination with port authorities. In November 2015, he was appointed as Costa Cruises Japan Country Manager. He was appointed as Silversea Cruises Japan and Korea office country manager in June 2018. From the start-up of the office, he aims to expand the luxury market in Japan and Korea. He retired in December 2023. Appointed Vice Chairman of Japan International Cruise Committee (JICC), established in April 2021 mainly by international cruise lines. Coordinated with the national government and various administrative agencies for the resumption of foreign-registered cruise ship operations in Japan from the COVID disaster. In October 2024, he established Cruise Contact Japan, a company providing consulting services related to cruises, and assumed the position of President and CEO. He currently serves as Executive Advisor at Miki Tourist Cruise Company, Advisor at JTB Royal Road Ginza, and Advisor at the Cruise Department of Hospitality Academy.

[Panelist]

Cheng Jue Hao

Shanghai Maritime University Asia Cruise Acedemy
Professor

Prof. Cheng Jue hao, male, Management Ph. D and Master' s tutor as well, graduated from Zhejiang University in 1998 and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2005. Now working in Asia Cruise Academy of Shanghai Maritime University, as deputy director in Shanghai International Shipping Institute Cruise & Boating Research Centre, and Vice president of China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association. Mainly focus on research in the field of cruise industry, waterfront recreation and recreational boating. Rich experience and research production from cruise tourism industry, long-term tracking of international cruise industry development trend in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Till now, more than 50 important academic studies on master plan or economy research of cruise industry and waterfront recreational area in China have been finished by my research team.

[Panelist]

Hong Jang-Won

Marine Policy Research Department, Marine Tourism and Culture Research Division, KMI
Research Fellow

Dr. HONG, JANG-WON(born 1971) Senior Research Fellow, received his Ph.D. in Tourism from Hanyang University and has been working at the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) since joining in 2000. His main research areas include marine tourism policy, marine tourism development planning, and the promotion of marinas, cruises, and underwater leisure industries. Dr. Hong also serves as a policy advisor to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and acts as a consultant or evaluation committee member for central government agencies, metropolitan governments, and tourism-related associations. In addition, through his research activities, he actively participates in various academic events organized by the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea, the Korea Society of Sport Tourism, and the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research.

[Speaker]

Lorena RIVERA

OECD
Fisheries Policy Analyst

Lorena RIVERA is a policy analyst and public policy advisor. She works at the fisheries and aquaculture unit of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Her Main areas of work include subsidies and government support measures to the fisheries sector, and government policies to tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Before joining the OECD, Lorena worked for the Colombian Ministry of Trade, and served as delegate to the World Trade Organisation.

[Panelist]

Choi Jung-Hwa

The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science
President

President Choi Jung Hwa of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science (born in 1969) majored in Fisheries Resources at Pukyong National University. He worked as an intern at the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and completed a postdoctoral course at the Pacific Biological Station in Canada. For 21 years, he has been involved in fisheries resource surveys at the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the Fisheries Resources Research Center, the Subtropical Fisheries Research Institute, the Dokdo Fisheries Research Center, and the Cetacean Research Institute. Since September 2024, he has been working at Pukyong National University. President Choi is active as an editorial board member in various marine and fisheries-related societies. He serves as the T/F leader of the Fisheries Division of the Presidential Committee on Rural and Fisheries Special Committee, as an advisory member of the Marine Spatial Planning Advisory Council under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and is affiliated with the Scientific Committee for Coastal Resource Management of the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency. He also serves as a technical evaluation committee member for the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

[Panelist]

Kang Seok-kyu

Jeju National University
Professor

Professor Kang Seok-kyu obtained a bachelor's degree in fisheries management and a master's degree in business administration from Pukyong National University, and a doctorate in business administration (financial finance) from Pusan National University. He has been a professor of business administration at Jeju National University since 2005, served as a visiting professor at San Diego State University from 2011 to 2012, and served as a member of the examination committee for civil servants (level 9 and level 5) from 2009 to 2025. In addition, he is also leading research in finance and fisheries management by serving as the vice president of the Korea Financial Engineering Association and the Korea Financial Management Association, and as of 2025 as the president of the Korea Fisheries Management Association. He is also the head of the Jeju National University Fishing Village and Fisheries Management Research Center from 2023. He has recently conducted research on carbon offsetting of sea forests as a carbon sink, research on fisheries resource policy for advancement, valuation of fishing grounds, and economic valuation of public fisheries policy projects.

[Moderator]

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Blue Economy: Towards Sustainable Solidarity and Cooperation

Kim Min-Su

Korea Maritime Institute (KMI)

[Panelist]

Kim Thi Thuy Ngoc

Division of Science and International Cooperation, ISPAE Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE)
Head

Dr. Ngoc graduated from Ha Noi National University in 1994, majoring in biodiversity. She later obtained a Master of Science degree from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok, Thailand, and earned her Ph.D. from Ha Noi National University. Currently, Dr. Ngoc serves as the Head of the Division of Science and International Cooperation at the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE). She is a specialist in natural resources management and has been actively involved in numerous studies on ecosystem services valuation and accounting. Her work includes participation in projects such as the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES) led by the World Bank, the valuation of mangrove ecosystem services in the Mekong Delta supported by UN Environment, and ocean accounting initiatives in collaboration with ESCAP and the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP). Dr. Ngoc has also contributed to various research efforts on the Blue Economy, including the UNEP study on the Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE) Transition Framework Approach for Viet Nam, and the World Bank’s Public Expenditure and Investment Review titled "Boosting Viet Nam’s Sustainable Marine Economy". She is currently leading a national study on the internalization of the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) requirements into Viet Nam’s legal framework.

[Speaker]

Xu Sheng

Sheng XU, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Economics, Ocean University of China. She is also a Distinguished Master's Thesis Supervisor of Shandong Province, Chief Expert of the Major Program of the National Social Science Fund of China, and a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley and the State University of New York, USA. She holds concurrent positions as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Marine Development, Deputy Director of the Marine Science and Technology Committee, and Chairman of the Marine Carbon Neutrality Center (COCN). Additionally, she serves as Deputy Director of the Qingdao Marine Professional Committee of the Jiu San Society. Her research focuses on economic structure transformation and green development. She has presided over more than 20 research projects, including those funded by the National Social Science Fund of China, the Humanities and Social Sciences Program of the Ministry of Education, the Major Base Program of Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, and the National Marine Soft Science Program. She has published over 100 papers in important domestic and international academic journals indexed by SCI, SSCI, and CSSCI, and has authored 9 monographs. She was honored as a "2024 CNKI Highly Cited Scholar (Top 1%)". She has won more than 20 awards, including Excellent Scientific Research Achievement Awards of Shandong Province and Qingdao City, as well as various honorary titles. A number of his research findings have been adopted by national ministries and relevant departments. She acts as a correspondent reviewer for the "Changjiang Scholars Program" of the Ministry of Education, a reviewer for National Social Science Fund projects, and a peer reviewer for multiple domestic and international academic journals. She also serves as an expert in the expert committees and think tanks of several government agencies.

[Panelist]

Michael c. Huang

Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI)
Senior Research Fellow

Michael C. Huang has been affiliated with the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) since 2018. He has led initiatives on Blue economy, Blue finance, Science, Technology, & Innovation policy assessment, and Disaster risk management. His aims to connect the ocean to the social system on various topics, including Renewable energy, Deepsea water industry, Resilient global supply chain, Eco-Friendly shipping, Hydrogen society transition. He is the organizing member for the Special Seminars for Economic Issues in Toyo University. Since 2025, Dr Huang inaugurated as Advisory Board Member of the Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN), 1000 Ocean Startups Coalition supported by the World Economic Forum. He serves as guest editor for Marine Policy, as well as the editor for Blue Economy and Blue Finance (ADBI Press), Moving toward Net-zero Carbon Society (Springer), Innovative Social Practice and Community-Based Approach to the Ocean: Implications for Blue Impact Finance (Springer-Nature), Achieving Ocean Equity (Edward Elgar). He is the member of Japan Economic Association, Japan Ocean Policy Association, Japan Society of Ocean Policy, Deep Ocean Water Applications Society, and Japan Castle Association. He holds PhD in Public Economic from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).

[Panelist]

Kim Ju-Hyeoun

Economic Outlook & Data Research Division
Director

Dr. Ju-Hyeoun Kim (born in 1989) obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ewha Womans University in 2012 and earned a Master's degree in Economics from Fudan University in China. She received a Ph.D. in public policy at the Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration. Dr. Ju-Hyeoun Kim has worked as an Director of Marine Economy Research Division and associate research fellow at Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), which is a government-affiliated research entity under the Prime Minister’s Office. She specialized in data production, survey and policy evaluation in ocean and fisheries sector. She has been working on diverse researches about the analysis of the performance of businesses, employment trends and industry policy in the Korean oceans and fisheries sector. Her recent publications include 'Evaluating the Change in Performance of Ocean and Fishery Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic(2023)' and 'How Will the United Nations (UN) Biological Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement Affect the Shipping Industry in the Future?(2023)'. In 2025, She is conducting a study on “Establishment of a Global Blue Economy Implementation Evaluation Indicator System and Investment Effect Analysis.”

[Speaker]

Nikos Nomikos

City University of London
Professor

Nikos Nomikos is Professor of Shipping Finance at Bayes Business School. He is the Academic Director of the Bayes Modular Executive MBA Program and the former Director of the MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance. His area of expertise is Ship Finance, Risk Management and Asset Pricing for Shipping and Commodity Markets. Examples of his research include the development of ship valuation models, designing shipping indices and market benchmarks, structuring risk management products, valuation of freight derivative contracts, big-data analytics for assessing market dynamics and sustainable finance. Nikos has published over 50 papers in peer-review academic journals and co-authored the book “Shipping Derivatives and Risk Management” considered the leading reference book in this area. Nikos’ career began at the Baltic Exchange, where he served as Head of Market Analytics. During this time, he oversaw the development of shipping indices that are now widely used as pricing benchmarks in the market. Recognising the importance of applied and commercially viable research, Nikos collaborates extensively with corporations, both as a consultant and in executive education. He also acts as an expert witness in shipping-related cases. Professor Nomikos lectures on Finance, Economics, Asset Pricing, and Risk Management for the MSc, MBA, and PhD programs. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

[Speaker]

Chung Yoon-Gu Kane

ING Singapore
Director, Transportation & Logistics Asia Pacific

Kane commenced his tenure at ING Bank in July 2010, assuming the role of Account Manager within the Corporate and Financial Institutions Lending Department at ING Korea, subsequently transitioning to the Transport and Logistics Department at ING Singapore in 2013. He is currently engaged as the Deal Principal, specializing in the origination and execution of ship and container financing transactions across the Asian market. Before his affiliation with ING, he was employed as an investment banker at Samsung Securities, where his primary concentration was on ECM and M&A transactions for major Korean conglomerates. Kane possesses a Doctorate in Philosophy in Finance from Bayes Business School (City, University of London), a Master's degree in Financial Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Korea University.

[Roundtable]

Choi Jae-Sung

Clarksons Korea Ltd.
Managing Director

Clarksons Korea Managing Director Choi Jae Sung (born 1979) majored in Maritime Law with a minor in Shipping Management at the University of Plymouth, UK. He worked as a Project Manager at AP Moller Maersk for three years from 2005, and served as Project Director at Clarkson Platou Singapore for nine years from 2008. He has executed various national contracts and M&A advisory projects including Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (2012), Korea Development Bank (2016), and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation offshore equity sale advisory (2023). In 2019, he served as a specialist committee member for the transportation sector of the Northern Economic Cooperation Committee, providing government advisory services for Arctic shipping routes and LNG business models. Jae has been serving as Managing Director of Clarkson Korea since October 2017, and currently, he is promoting major state-owned enterprise projects including Korea Electric Power Corporation's Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) investment project.

[Speaker]

Lee Dong-Hae

Busan Finance Center Marine Finance Center
Ph.D in Maritime B.A. Center Director

Lee Donghae, Director of the Marine Finance Center at the Busan Finance Center (BFC), joined the Korea Development Bank (KDB) in 1989 and went on to serve as Head of the Marine Industry Division and Head of the Integrated Marine Finance Center, building a 30-year career in international finance. He is recognized as a structured-finance expert spanning the shipping, shipbuilding, and financial ecosystems, and has supported the maritime industry by developing ship-finance products such as the Green Ship Program and ship-finance on-lending. During the early shipping downturn following the Lehman Brothers crisis, he played a leading role in establishing a first-generation maritime fund—the Let’s Together Shipping Fund—which provided meaningful relief to the market. In his current post, he leads research and program design on tax-oriented ship leasing (tax leases) to accelerate eco-friendly fleet renewal; KRW-denominated ship finance to broaden participation by domestic commercial banks; and a shipbuilding mutual-aid/guaranty association to expand the issuance of refund guarantees (RGs) for small and mid-sized shipyards.

[Panelist]

Yun Hee-Sung

Graduate School of Maritime Finance, Korea Maritime & Ocean University
Dean

Professor Heesung Yun earned a Master's degree in Shipping, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School, City, University of London, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Korea Maritime & Ocean University. His diverse research interests include forecasting shipping market trends using AI models, applying Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to the maritime industry, and studying freight risk and shipping derivatives. With his extensive experience as an executive at leading shipping companies, Prof. Yun has a deep understanding of shipping business management and practical operations. He also led maritime policy research as the Head of the Shipping & Logistics Research Division at the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), a state-run research institute for the maritime sector. Currently, he serves as the Dean of the Graduate School of Maritime Finance at Korea Maritime & Ocean University, where he is dedicated to fostering maritime finance experts in the field. Additionally, Prof. Yun contributes to various public service activities, including his roles as an advisor to the KOBC's Management Innovation Committee, a member of the Ship Investment Committee at the KAMCO, and a board member of a public interest foundation, ‘바다의 품’.

[Panelist]

Kim Tae-Hee

Korea Development Bank
Director, Maritime Finance Center

Mr. Kim Tae Hee is the Head of Maritime Finance Center at KDB, where he is in charge of maritime industrial finance. Having joined KDB in 1996, he has mainly worked on project finance and structured finance. His extensive career at KDB includes roles such as CEO of KDB Ireland from 2020 to 2022, and various leadership positions focused on PPP and other international business across sectors like infrastructure, shipping, and aviation. Mr. Kim holds a BA in International Trade from Busan National University and a Master’s degree in Economics from Michigan State University.

[Panelist]

Yoon Sang-Ho

Korea Ocean Business Corporation
Maritime Finance Division Head

Dr. Sam Yoon earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Korea Maritime and Ocean University. From 1993 to 2017, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of HMM France and HMM Scandinavia, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Following these accomplishments, he assumed the position of Executive in charge of strategy at HMM headquarters. Currently, Dr. Yoon is the Head of Maritime Finance Division at the Korea Ocean Business Corporation. As the inaugural Director of Planning and Coordination at KOBC, he played a crucial role in laying the foundational framework for the organization’s structure, finances, and strategic planning. In his current capacity, he is focused on advancing policies and projects that aim to position South Korea as a global leader in maritime logistics. His key initiatives include fostering the transition to eco-friendly shipping fleets and securing vital port logistics infrastructure, encompassing both domestic and international port terminals and logistics bases, through comprehensive financial strategies.

[Moderator]

Paradigm Shifts in Shipbuilding: Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of MASGA

An Kwang-Hean

AN Kwang-hean(born in 1960), president of Hyundai Heavy Industries, received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kyunghee University(1983) and a master’s degree in thermo-fluid engineering at Hongik University(1985). He completed the CEO MBA course at graduate school of business in Ulsan University, the CEO Humanities course at graduate school of business in Korea Maritime & Ocean University, and the top level course in shipping, shipbuilding, logistics, and fisheries at graduate school of law in Korea University. AN Kwang-hean is currently serving as president of Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's best shipbuilding and offshore engineering company. In particular, he is the best global leader in the era of carbon neutrality by leading the “Eco-friendly Marine Engineering & Energy Solution” business based on his rich experience as an expert in shipbuilding, shipping, logistics and energy fields. He is also a leading player in Korea’s first domestically developed engine with purely proprietary technology, the "HiMSEN" engine, which has a market share of more than 35% in the global ship market. He has engaged in various activities throughout the industry and academia, including a regular member of “the Society of Naval Architects of KOREA” and “the Korean Society of Marine Engineering”, a technical member of “the Korean Register (KR)”, and the president of “the Korea Federation of Combustion Engines” which is a Korean branch of “the International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC)”. Currently, he is active in various fields, such as developing novel technologies to reduce greenhouse gas and leading global ESG management to deal with climate change, the world’s greatest concern.

[Speaker]

Technologies for Ammonia/Hydrogen as Next-Gen Marine Fuels for Green Shipping Corridor

Lee Kang-Ki

Zollner Energy Systems GmbH
Managing Director

Professor Kang-Ki LEE currently working as managing director of Zollner Energy Systems GmbH in Germany, studied Maritime Energy Management at PhD in World Maritime University Sweden. And management skills added through Advanced Industrial Program at Seoul National University in 2007 and the executive management course by MAN Group through Corporate Program with WHU, Germany and Said Business School of Oxford University till 2010. Worked as president of MAN Diesel Korea Ltd since 2007 responsible for the business of internal combustion engine on various applications besides role as a head of Turbo-machineries business units of MAN for Far East Asia till 2012. Afterwards, served as exec. vice president of Daewoo SEC responsible for business development & global sales & marketing, and continued as a professor of Korea Maritime & Ocean University teaching internal combustion engine and power systems till 2018. Research interest on GHG Emission, Power Systems, Maritime Energy Trend focus on Hydrogen, Ammonia and LNG fuels, Future Technology of Logistics & Transportation, & Convergent Offshore Plants. Project leader of World first & largest LNG fueled bulk carrier upon IMO IGF Code. Currently working at CIMAC GHG Strategy WG and a R&D Steering Committee of TUGraz, NeLT.

[Speaker]

Challenges for Applying SMR to Marine Industry

Lee Jeong-Ik

KAIST Dept. of Nuclear & Quantum Eng.
Professor

Professor Jeong Ik Lee (1980) majored in nuclear engineering at Seoul National University (2003) and at MIT in the United States (2007). After obtaining his degrees, he worked as a post-doctoral associate at KAIST and served as a professor at KAIST for 14 years since 2010. He was a visiting professor at Khalifa University in the UAE (2010-2011), a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge in the UK (2017-2018), and a visiting scholar at MIT in the US (2022-2023), conducting various international collaborative research works. During his tenure at KAIST, he conducted research on marine nuclear power, small modular reactors (SMRs), next-generation nuclear power, and power conversion technology development. Professor Jeong Ik Lee is currently a KAIST endowed chair professor and a member of the Next-Generation Korean Academy of Sciences and Technology. He is serving as a council member of the Korean Nuclear Society and a director of the Korean Fluid Machinery Society. He is, actively participating in various government committees, including the planning of innovative SMR projects, the chairperson for Korean high temperature gas-cooled reactor development project, and the non-carbon power supply subcommittee of the 11th Basic Power Supply Plan.

[Speaker]

Lee Tae-Jin

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
CIO/CDO, Senior Executive Vice President

Taejin Lee(born in 1968) holds a Bachelor's (1991) and Master's (1993) degree in Industrial Engineering from Korea University, and earned a Ph.D. in Technology Management in 2025. He began his career as a researcher at Kia Motors and later worked at Accenture's Seoul office, where he specialized in IT consulting for the machinery and heavy industries sectors. Currently, he serves as the Group CIO and CDO of HD Hyundai, leading the digital transformation across the shipbuilding and machinery industries.

[Speaker]

Odin Kwon

MT Korea Co., Ltd.
President

Odin Kwon, a naval architect with a degree from Seoul National University, served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), where he led decarbonization and digitalization strategies. He was involved in the development of the Yamal 172K Arc7 ice-breaking LNG carrier and ultra-large container ships of 18,000 to 24,000 TEU. He participated and presented as part of the Korean delegation to the Arctic Council. Odin was also a Program Committee member for LNG18, LNG19, and LNG20 , and was awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit by the Korean Government on September 2019. He also led a national R&D program for “Development of design and production engineering for converting existing mid/large-sized vessels in operation to environment-friendly fueled vessels”. He is currently the President and Chief Research Office of MT Korea, and is developing smart equipment, eco-friendly fuel gas supply systems (FGSS), and Hybrid Electric Propulsion, etc.

[Panelist]

Suh Yong-Suk

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MEDIUM&SMALL SHIPBUILDING (RIMS)
President

President Suh, Yong Suk(1964) majored in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Seoul National University (1983-1994). He worked at Samsung Heavy Industries for 22 years, conducting research and development to improve ship performance and structural safety. He also served as a program director at the Korea planning and Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology for four and a half years, planning various research projects in the shipbuilding and marine sectors. Currently, he is a president of Research Institute of Medium $ Small Shipbuilding(RIMS). President Suh, Yong Suk serves as a member of various organizations. He is an associate director of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea and a member of the Expert Committee on Industrial Technology Protection in the Shipbuilding Sector. He is also a director of the Korea Marine Leisure Network.

[Panelist]

Bae Jung-Chul

Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI)
President

President Bae Jung-chul got B.E. for Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering at Korea Maritime and Ocean University(KMOU) (1986), got M.E. (1992) and D.E (1996) for Marine Communication at KMOU. He served as Saracom's research director (1988-09~2006.02), He served as the head of the department of 'Electric and Electronic Research Headquarters', 'the Future Strategy Research Headquarters', and 'Management Planning Headquarters' at the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute(KOMERI) (2006.03~2020.06). He is a president of KOMERI now(2020.07.01~), and serves as the head of the Busan branch of the Korean Shipbuilding Association (2022.06.~) and the head of the Maritime Policy Association (2023.05.~).

[Panelist]

Kim Jin-Hyung

Korean register
General Manager

Dr. KIM, Jin-hyung, General Manager of Greenship Technology Team at Korean Register, has been engaged in research and development of GHG reduction and decarbonization in the international shipping sector for over 15 years. He currently serves as a governmental advisor of IMO MEPC and as an expert of IACS carbon capture team. He is also engaged in verification of various shipping decarbonization regulations. He leads various governmental and international research projects including the development of an integrated GHG management system, demonstration of decarbonization technologies, and onboard carbon capture system.

[Panelist]

Song Kang-Hyun

Korea Register
Head of Decarbonization R&D Center

Kanghyun Song received his B.S. degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Seoul National University in 1993, followed by an M.S. degree in Ship and Ocean Engineering from Chungnam National University in 2003. He later completed his Ph.D. in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Seoul National University in 2013, building a strong academic foundation in the field. From 1993 to 1996, he served as a naval shipbuilding officer in the Republic of Korea Navy. Since 1996, he has been with the Korean Register, where he currently serves as the Director of the Eco-Friendly Ship and Ocean Research Institute, contributing to the advancement of green shipping technologies and sustainable marine solutions. In addition to his professional role, Dr. Song has been actively engaged in academic and industrial organizations. He has served as a Director of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea since 2020 and as a Director of the Korean Society of Marine Engineering since 2022. Since 2023, he has chaired the Floating Offshore Wind Research Committee, leading collaborative efforts in renewable offshore energy. In the same year, he became a member of the IACS SDP Panel, where he contributes to the development of international technical standards and regulations in the maritime industry.

[Speaker]

Strategies for Sustainable Development and Economic Cooperation in the Arctic

Mads Qvist Frederiksen

the Arctic Economic Council (AEC)
Executive director

Mads Qvist Frederiksen is the Executive director of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) that is located in Tromsø, Norway. The AEC is a pan-arctic independent business membership organization established in 2014. It delivers policy advocacy, networking and outreach related to the Arctic. The organization facilitates Arctic sustainable economic development throughout the Arctic region. Mr. Frederiksen sits on various boards representing the companies in the Arctic. He is a member of the West Nordic Fund that provide loans to SMEs in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. He is also a Obama Europe Leader 2024-2025. Prior to joining the AEC in March 2021, Mr. Frederiksen worked as a Senior Advisor in the Global Trade and Investment unit at the Confederation of Danish Industry. Here he was responsible for Arctic business development and policy. Before he has worked in manufacturing, communication and as a journalist. In addition to Arctic policy and trade promotion, his previous work has been within sanctions and export control, development work, foreign investments, communication, journalism, training and capacity building. Mr. Frederiksen is originally from Denmark. He has an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School, a MA in Middle East Studies from the University of Southern Denmark and a BA in Journalism and Contemporary history from City University and QMUL Mr. Frederiksen has lived and worked in Denmark, Norway, Algeria, United Kingdom, Iran and Afghanistan.

[Panelist]

National Strategies and Policy Responses on the Arctic Shipping Routes

Kim Um Ji

Korea Maritime Institute
Director

Ms. Umji Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Moscow State Institute of International Relations and her Master’s degree in International and Area Studies from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Since 2017, she has been working at the Korea Maritime Institute, researching topics such as logistics in the Russian Far East, Arctic international cooperation, the blue economy in the Arctic, and Arctic Shipping.

[Panelist]

Strategic Policy Directions for Busan as a Hub City in the Arctic Shipping Route

Jung Sung-moon

Dong-A University
Professor

Professor Jung Sung-moon (1982) majored in Information and Communication Engineering at KAIST (2009) and Technology Management, Economics, and Policy at Seoul National University (2015). He worked at BISTEP and is currently a professor in the Department of Economics at Dong-A University. He also serves as a non-executive director of Busan Metropolitan Corporation and participates as a member of the Busan City Arctic Sea Route Development Task Force.

[Panelist]

Jung Sung-Moon

Dong-A University
Professor

Professor Jung Sung-moon (1982) majored in Information and Communication Engineering at KAIST (2009) and Technology Management, Economics, and Policy at Seoul National University (2015). He worked at BISTEP and is currently a professor in the Department of Economics at Dong-A University. He also serves as a non-executive director of Busan Metropolitan Corporation and participates as a member of the Busan City Arctic Sea Route Development Task Force.

[Panelist]

Strategic Policy Directions for Busan as a Hub City in the Arctic Shipping Route

Jeong Ji-hoon

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)
Head

Jihoon Jeong is the Head of the Office of Global Cooperation at the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), where he also serves as Secretary General of the Korea Arctic Research Consortium (KoARC). As a political scientist by training, he has practiced science diplomacy in polar affairs, representing Korea in various government delegations for the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA), bilateral high-level consultations with Arctic countries, and other international meetings. Jihoon's professional and academic interests include science diplomacy in the Arctic and Antarctic, science-policy linkage, knowledge co-production, and supporting early-career polar researchers. He holds an M.A. and B.A. in Political Science from Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.

[Panelist]

Kim Se-Hyun

Korea Shipowners' Association
Director

Mr. Sehyun Kim earned his Bachelor's degree in Ship Operation System Engineering from Korea Maritime & Ocean University in 1997, and later pursued a graduate degree in Taxation at the Graduate School of Taxation, University of Seoul in 2020. Since 2003, he has been serving at the Korea Shipowners’ Association, where he is responsible for maritime safety, marine environmental affairs, taxation and accounting, as well as fostering cooperation between shipping companies and cargo owners. He had also served as a policy advisor to the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the Prime Minister’s Office. In 2013, Mr. Kim participated in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ “Arctic Ocean Task Force” for pilot navigation in Arctic waters, and he is currently involved in the “Arctic Route Development Task Force” organized by the Busan Metropolitan City.

[Panelist]

Koo Ja-rim

Busan Port Authority
Vice President of Global Division

Mr. KOO JA RIM (born in 1973) graduated from Yeungnam University with a degree in Law (1997), earned an LL.M. from Indiana University School of Law, USA (2002), and completed a Master’s program in Port Management at the World Maritime University (WMU) in 2017. He is licensed as an attorney at Law in the State of New York, USA, and since joining the Busan Port Authority in 2004, he has been responsible for port marketing and overseas logistics infrastructure investment projects.