Gyehyun Kwon

Gyehyun Kwon is a Corporate Vice-President. His responsibilities include Global Communications, External Relations & Public Affairs, and Worldwide sponsorship such as worldwide Sports Marketing at a corporate level.

In July 2005, Gyehyun Kwon joined Samsung Electronics after completion of distinguished public service since 1989. He previously served at South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His career at the Foreign Ministry includes posts as the first secretary of the Korean Embassy in the Netherlands, consul at Korean Consulate General in Honolulu, and deputy head at the Korean Embassy in Guatemala. In particular, he retired from the Presidential Office of the State as Head of Foreign and Security Affairs at President’s War-Room (Information & Policy Monitoring Bureau) from 2004 to 2005.

In the Netherlands, he was a working-group chair (facilitator) at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons from 1997 to 1999. In this capacity, he was involved in encouraging international co­operation in the peaceful development of chemical industry and in destroying chemical weapons, an important role in working towards the complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

His commendations and civilian honours are numerous, including the Foreign Ministry Distinguished Award; the Defense Ministry Distinguished Award; and the President’s Distinguished Award.

As Head of External Relations and Public Affairs, he has championed strong opinion leader outreach programmes at a corporate level such as Government Relations Programmes (particularly Washington D.C and Brussels for EU), Academic Relations Programmes, Industry Analyst Relations Programmes, a variety of CSR programme-planning and implementation. Representing Samsung Electronics, he has participated in numerous international forums and seminars as Guest Speaker or Panellist.

As Head of global communications, he has been responsible for corporate media relations, everyday media operation and media-related events.

As Head of Global Sponsorship, he has successfully handled a number of global events such as 2006 Winter Olympic Games sponsorship Programme, 2006 Asian Games Sponsorship Programme, 2 consecutive Samsung Super League (Equestrian), Chelsea Football Club Sponsorship Programme, World Hockey Sponsorship, World Taekwondo Federation Title Sponsorship Programme, etc.

His involvement now covers a number of cultural sponsorship programmes including Nobel Museum Exhibition Programme, and NFL sponsorship in USA, all communications with IOC (International Olympic Committee), AFC (Asian Football Confederation), OCA (Olympic Committee of Asia), EOC (European Olympic Committee) etc., and strategic planning of Samsung’s global sponsorship portfolios.

A native of South Korea, Gyehyun Kwon received a LL.B. from Seoul National University. In 1996, he completed a Master (LL.M.) in International Law (including international trade law) from Edinburgh University.