KOREA WHO

Lee Hak-jae is the CEO & President of Incheon International Airport Corporation.

He is focused on fully normalizing airport operations to meet the recovering demand for air travel. Additionally, he is working to successfully complete the fourth-phase project aimed at expanding Incheon Airport’s infrastructure.

Lee was born on August 19, 1964, in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province.

He graduated from Bupyeong High School and earned a degree in Animal Science from Seoul National University. He later obtained both a master’s and a doctorate in Economics from Chung-Ang University Graduate School.

Lee began his career with the Incheon Environmental Movement Union and later served as a member of the Seo District Council in Incheon. He went on to serve two terms as the mayor of Incheon’s Seo District.

He was elected as a member of the National Assembly three times in a row, starting from the 18th general election.

Lee was appointed as Chief of Staff to Park Geun-hye when she was the interim leader of the Saenuri Party and later served as her Chief of Staff during her presidential campaign.

He has held various key roles, including secretary of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, vice-chairman of the Saenuri Party’s Policy Committee, and chairman of the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee.

Lee left the Liberty Korea Party (now the People Power Party) to join the Bareun Party, before rejoining the Liberty Korea Party. He served as a political advisor to Yoon Suk-yeol during his presidential campaign as a candidate of the People Power Party.

In the 2020 general election for the 21st National Assembly, Lee was defeated by Kim Kyo-heung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

In April 2023, after Kim Kyung-wook resigned from his position with 10 months left in his term, Lee applied for and was ultimately selected as the new CEO & President of Incheon International Airport Corporation. He assumed office in June 2023 amidst controversy over his appointment, which some critics labeled as a “parachute” appointment. His term is set for three years.

As a former social activist turned politician, Lee is known for his strong leadership and effective communication skills.

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