Heo Jang (62, photo), the new second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, has held key posts in international finance and external cooperation both at home and abroad.
Entering public service by passing the 35th higher civil service exam, Vice Minister Heo served as head of the External Economic Policy Division and the Development Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the predecessor of the current ministry, and later as director general of the Development Finance Bureau and as Director for International Economic Affairs.
His overseas experience is extensive, including serving as an adviser to the executive director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), economic minister at the Permanent Delegation to the OECD, and executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Until recently, he chaired the ESG Committee at The Export-Import Bank of Korea.
The second vice minister post, created when the ministry was relaunched earlier this year, oversees the Planning and Coordination Office, the Treasury Bureau, the International Finance Bureau, the External Economy Bureau, the Development Finance Bureau and other international functions, as well as the Public Policy Bureau.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung appointed Vice Minister Heo on the day, saying, "Based on his work experience and network across the international economy, he is the right person to effectively carry out the duties of the second vice minister overseeing international economic affairs and treasury management," adding, "In particular, we expect him to manage exports and the exchange rate in a stable manner and to design and implement economic policies that will help our economy take another leap forward."
▲ From Gimhae, South Gyeongsang ▲ Yeongdeungpo High School, Seoul ▲ Department of Economics, Seoul National University ▲ M.A. in economics, Seoul National University ▲ Ph.D. in economics, Sciences Po Paris ▲ 35th higher civil service exam ▲ Minister (economic affairs), Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to the OECD ▲ Director General, Development Finance Bureau, Ministry of Economy and Finance ▲ Director for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance ▲ Executive director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) ▲ Chairperson, ESG Committee, The Export-Import Bank of Korea