BAT Korea appoints Korean as CEO for the first time

British American Tobacco (BAT) Korea has appointed its first Korean CEO as it strives to stay competitive in the local tobacco market.

The Korean unit of the London-based tobacco company said in a statement Monday that Kim Eui-Soung has been named CEO, replacing former CEO Matthew Juery, who spent two years in the position.

Kim will be responsible for managing operations of the Korean unit while leading the domestic and international business of BAT Korea, the company said, adding that he is well-suited to serve the sophisticated needs of local consumers and diversify the company’s product portfolio.

Having first joined BAT Korea as an area manager in 2008, Kim successfully launched the KENT cigarette brand in Korea in 2010 after being promoted to various sales and marketing positions within the local unit.

BAT Korea recently reintroduced the KENT brand to Korea after celebrating an accumulated production milestone of 300 billion cigarettes at its factory in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang.

By Ko Jun-tae