A great admirer of Indonesia and international friendship

The Korea Post, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news media outlets since 1985, have recently appointed Mr. Kim Jeong-ho as its bureau chief for the Republic of Indonesia. Here are personal data of Mr. Kim.—Ed.

Newly appointed Indonesia Bureau Chief JeongHo-Kim of The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.
Newly appointed Indonesia Bureau Chief JeongHo-Kim of The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.

My name is Jeong-ho (given name) and Kim (family name).. 
My passion may be seen in my writing, 'Daily Planner.' I spent six years in Indonesia (my school years) and a year in the United States for my college education where I developed a lot of interest in social issues. 
I always liked meeting with people and sharing views on social issues. I could have learned and checked myself the 'Difference' and 'Diversity' of one's think by meeting new people. Hearing the issues and sharing facts with people always make me help predict public reaction on various issues. I believe that a good listener knows more than a good speaker. 

JeongHo-Kim (right) with Chairman Larry Probst of USOC at PyeongChang Olympic Games 2018.
JeongHo-Kim (right) with Chairman Larry Probst of USOC at PyeongChang Olympic Games 2018.

A fact seeker: 
When I was in school, I was always called a 'Fact Seeker' among my friends. It is because I usually buy something after I check and compare 3 competitor companies’ product review. This I do so that I can reduce risks in buying. Product review is the most important part to me. As the product review can mean to tell me a real fact of the product. I always invest my time on reading a people's review first. Finding and Checking the real and hidden fact is the first thing what I always do when I want to start a something new.

Challenger:
In November 2018, I flew to Indonesia and settled in Jakarta. My work place is located in Sumatera Island and it takes 45 minutes by plane from Jakarta. I thought that I can't take a flight every day to go for work and home. I decide to stay at my work place called 'Lampung' for weekdays and spend my time with my family for weekends. I still have to take a flight twice a week. 
Bulldozer welcomed me on the first day. As I have to build a factory by myself a two of bulldozer wasn't enough to start something. Finding a person who can draw me a building design with computer graphic program was really hard in countryside. 
Therefore, I had to draw it by myself with a A4, 20m long ruler and pencils. To save the construction cost, I was not allowed to request to expert construction companies. However, I was with 20 nice countrymen who can help me to build. 
Preparing a land and building a factory office was done by me. After 13 hours of car driving, I could meet the contractor who could build a frame on the building. Selecting raw materials of building finding a cheapest one asked me to invest time. My sweat to build a factory didn't betray me. I could save 37% from earlier Construction budget. 
Joining The Korea Post media is an opening stage to me to show my passion that I learned from my experience and ability. 
Moreover, The Korea Post is the company where I can report on Indonesian situations and issues to Korea. Since I was young I always wanted to share the beauties and issues in Indonesia with my people at home in Korea.
 

The Korea Post Indonesia Bureau Chief Kim (third from left) with Chief Officer and personnel of the Customs at Lampung, Panjang Port.
The Korea Post Indonesia Bureau Chief Kim (third from left) with Chief Officer and personnel of the Customs at Lampung, Panjang Port.

My unforgettable experience in life:
My first job was a translator of TEAM USA athletes and their families. From the Airport to Pyeongchang require athletes to ride a bus. I sit at the front of bus and holding a microphone to let them know a next rest area. I introduced them a traditional Korean foods and best restaurants while we were heading to Pyeongchang. One of athlete recommend me to work for Team USA and thankfully I had a chance to have an interview with United States Olympic Committee. My new job was a dispatch the vehicles and make a trip plan for USOC and athletes.
Managing 25 drivers and 34 vehicles made me a very systematic person. Time management was all of the job. Taking care of each one of driver's body condition was also interest experience. After I put much effort on this, Team USA never late on meetings and events. 
One of USOC member recommend me to work only for a USOC, I could have become a Secretary assistant of the chairman of USOC, Mr. Larry Probst. 
The experience of communicating and being recognized by team as a member of an international event gave me a sense of responsibility and persistence in my work.

JeongHo-Kim (right) with a person in charge of Exhibition “WAKENI” at 2016 INDOPLAS in Indonesia.
JeongHo-Kim (right) with a person in charge of Exhibition “WAKENI” at 2016 INDOPLAS in Indonesia.

How I can contribute to The Korea Post:
There are still many people and business industries that want to be well-known in Korea. They keep want to say that Indonesia still has a lot of advantages to support Korea. I would like to match the people and business industries in Indonesia to Korea by introduce and publicize them through the Korea Post. Plus, I hope this can make a both the country happier.

What I do in Indonesia: 
I’m now manufacturing and selling plywood for construction uses to Korea, Middle East Countries and Indonesia. As the company is a manufacturing factory, All the raw material such as Wood Logs and glues are must be ready for everyday working. Therefore, finding a cheapest but good quality of log is the first job to start everything. 
Marketing is also part of my job. Weekly arrange a online meeting and sharing the feedback of sold products from buyer. As the products are 80% export to various country, Outlook of the product is also a important part of sale. It makes me to study designing the product logo and packing designs. 
Total number of employees are around 450. According to the government regulations foreigners are not allowed to managing the human resources department. So I have to work with Local HRD staff if I want to hire a expert or new employees. 
“To live strong, have to be alive”, If the company do not publicize themselves in market nobody will recognize the effort I invest. Therefore, I decide to publicize the company and the product via Social Network Services such as Facebook and Instagram. 

Indonesia Bureau Chief Kim of The Korea Post Kim with his spouse and their baby. Kim is clad in traditional Indonesian attire called 'Batik.'
Indonesia Bureau Chief Kim of The Korea Post Kim with his spouse and their baby. Kim is clad in traditional Indonesian attire called 'Batik.'

My school educational background:
I spent my 6 years in Indonesia for middle and high school. I studied in international school and had a chance of meeting international friends who came from different countries. Learned each country of culture and languages from friends. This made me stronger and more confident in meeting someone new. After had a wonderful 6 years in Indonesia, I flew to Michigan for my university life. Spent a year in states was unforgettable experience of my life. Unlike meeting new friends while I was in international school, I could have learned how the world strongest country people think and behave. I also experienced the economies of scale in diverse business industry. After spent a year in states I had to join army for 2 years. While I was in army my family suffered difficulties in running a company and I wasn’t allowed to go back to States. Therefore, I had to admission to a new university in Korea. There was a big difference in university life with States but I could have also learned how to deal with the world. I had to spent a morning time at lecture room and spent afternoon and night time at the part time job place. 

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