KIPO welcomes new commissioner

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

KIPO welcomes new commissioner

President Myung-bak Lee has appointed a new Commissioner, Ho-won Kim, to head the Korea Intellectual Property Office. Kim’s term began on May 1

According to Eun Kyul Park, deputy director of the multilateral affairs division, Kim stresses the importance of intellectual property as a source of global competitiveness.

He also says that one of his goals is to increase the timeliness and quality of patent examinations in South Korea.

Kim has served in high-level positions in the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. His previous roles in the Korean government include deputy minister for regulatory reform, standing commissioner of the Korea Trade Commission, and director general of the Industrial Technology Bureau.

Most recently, he was the deputy minister for national agenda in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Kim has a PhD in public administration from Chung-Ang University, and master’s degrees from Seoul National University and the University of California, San Diego. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Pusan National University.

Look for Managing IP’s interview with Commissioner Kim in our June issue.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

As the US reflects on 250 years of independence, patent lawyers say innovation is reshaping old hiring priorities, with firms seeking broader IP expertise over specialisation
The Nokia v Acer ruling in the UK suggests arbitration is moving from the sidelines towards the mainstream of global FRAND disputes - and could reshape forum strategy in the process
The Life Sciences Awards is thrilled to present the shortlist for the 2026 Americas Awards
From Türkiye to Poland and Nigeria, firms with deep local roots continue to dominate the top tier, proving that market expertise can outweigh international scale in many CEE, Middle Eastern and African jurisdictions
Former Hoyng Rokh partner Simon Dack takes a leading PMAC role as busy firms continue to jostle for position
Franck Fougere, founder and managing partner of Ananda IP in Thailand, describes how the firm has developed a reputation for patent work and why he believes IP practice is set to change
After two decades at Kass International, Geetha Kandiah discusses the lessons that shaped her career, building an inclusive regional firm, and AI opportunities
Manisha Singh of LexOrbis discusses the need for commercial alignment with clients and why IP lawyers need to have curiosity at their core
As firms expand into integrated IP services, recent hires show the model's appeal – but high-profile departures reveal how quickly questions of depth and durability can emerge
In-house counsel say private practice firms either aren’t conveying sustainability messaging or simply ‘don’t care’, but a mindful approach to the topic could swing pitches
Gift this article