Park takes helm in Korean Symphony Orchestra
Park Sun-hee, chief manager of the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation (KACF), has been named CEO of the Korean Symphony Orchestra (KSO).
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced last Friday that Park will lead the state-funded orchestra with a term of three years.
Park, 44, earned positive reviews for discovering young musical talents in Korea and strengthening international exchanges. She is acknowl- edged for bridging concerts of Korean musicians w i t h world-class orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. The foundation, a subsidiary of the Kumho Asiana Group, was founded in 1977 and now is known as one of the best art patronage institutions in Korea.
The KACF awards scholarships to aspiring classical musicians and the list of grantees includes pianists Son Yeol-eum and Kim Sun-wook and violinists Lim Ji-young and Lee Yu-ra.
It also rents out high-quality musical instruments to rising musicians and operates Kumho Art Hall, Munho Art Hall and Kumho Museum of Art.
“Park is the right person to take the KSO to the next level with her vision and planning ability. We also expect the new CEO to nurture young talents with the orchestra,” the ministry said in the statement.
The KSO was founded in 1985 as a private orchestra and later became the resident orchestra of the Seoul Arts Center, performing with troupes such as the Korea National Opera, the Korean National Ballet and the National Chorus of Korea.
Park is the first female CEO of the orchestra in its 34 year history and joins the boom of women leaders of top Korean orchestras — CEO Kang Eun-kyung of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and KBS Symphony Orchestra President Park Jung-ok.