AhnLab’s CEO says he’ll quit

Charles Ahn said yesterday that he will step down as chief executive of the computer securities firm he founded, AhnLab, and let the board of directors take over the company’s management. Vice president Kim Cheol-soo will become president, and Mr. Ahn will become chairman of the board, focusing more on the interests of shareholders, employees and customers rather than the day-to-day operations. In a press conference, Mr. Ahn, 43, said he would use the extra time to pursue academic interests. “I felt like I was climbing a cliff for the past 10 years,” he said. “Now I want to go to graduate school before I have to start wearing spectacles. I would like to integrate my experience in medicine, biotechnology, and management. I haven’t planned what I’ll do afterwards.” Mr. Ahn was one of Korea’s pioneers in the dot-com boom when he started his business 10 years ago with three employees. The company now has 300 employees and has 65 percent of the domestic computer security market. Last year, the company reported 10.6 billion won ($10.5 million) in net income, becoming the first Korean software firm to reach the 10 billion won level. AhnLab’s shares fell 6.4 percent yesterday to 16,800 won. by Wohn Dong-hee