KB Financial Group has nominated Cha Eun-young, a professor of economics at Ewha Womans University, and Kim Sun-yeop, the CEO of Lee Jung Accounting Firm, as candidates for independent directors.
The KB Financial Independent Director Candidate Recommendation Committee announced on the 19th that it has recommended six candidates for independent directors, including two new independent directors and four reappointed independent directors. Existing independent directors Cho Hwa-jun, Yeo Jeong-seong, Choi Jae-hong, and Kim Seong-yong have been recommended as candidates for reappointment for a one-year term.
Cha, who has been nominated as a new independent director candidate, is a leading economist in South Korea, serving as a professor of economics at Ewha Womans University, the dean of the Graduate School of Policy Studies, and the dean of the College of Social Sciences. She has accumulated practical experience by serving as an independent director in various financial sectors based on her extensive knowledge and insight into financial markets, as well as her academic research.
She has been active for over 20 years on major public institution committees, including the National Economic Advisory Council, and has held positions as a member of the Financial Development Review Committee of the Financial Services Commission and as an advisor to the Financial Supervisory Service.
Kim, the candidate, is the CEO of Lee Jung Accounting Firm and a recognized accounting expert holding certified public accountant licenses in both South Korea and the United States, with a doctorate in business administration specializing in ESG. While at Anjin Accounting Firm, he was involved in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of major domestic financial companies, including banks, and has served as a commissioner for public institution management evaluations at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. He is currently being credited for leading the organization's expansion and sound management as the CEO of the accounting firm.
The recommendation of the two candidates was made through a candidate selection process of the independent director recommendation committee, which is independent of management. A KB Financial representative noted, "The addition of two candidates with diverse expertise and experience will greatly assist the board in proactively responding to the increasingly uncertain financial environment."
The candidates recommended that day are expected to be officially appointed as independent directors of KB Financial following the resolutions of the '2025 regular shareholders' meeting' scheduled for next month.