Key Takeaways
- • Kim Tae-hoon, 30-year acquisition finance veteran from Woori Bank, appointed co-CEO of KY Private Equity effective January 2, 2026, joining current CEO Jang Seong-eun in a newly structured leadership model to accelerate fundraising and investment activity.
- • Kim brings deep M&A transaction experience, having arranged acquisition financing for major deals including MBK Partners' 660 billion won purchase of Doosan Infracore's machine tool division, 1 trillion won ING Life Insurance refinancing, and equity financing for Affinity Equity Partners' acquisition of Burger King Korea.
- • KY PE, a subsidiary of Brain Asset Management, expects to pursue more aggressive fundraising and investment strategy with Kim's addition as senior partner, signaling the firm's intent to expand its deal pipeline and market presence in South Korea's growing PE sector.
- • Kim's crossover from commercial banking to private equity represents rare senior-level movement between sectors, highlighting the strategic value KY PE places on acquisition finance expertise and banking relationships in Korea's M&A market.
Summary
KY Private Equity, a subsidiary of Brain Asset Management, has appointed Kim Tae-hoon as co-CEO effective January 2, 2026, marking a significant leadership expansion for the firm. Kim, who previously served as head of corporate sales for Jongno at Woori Bank, will work alongside current CEO Jang Seong-eun in a newly structured co-CEO arrangement. Prior to his appointment as senior partner at KY PE, Jang was the sole senior partner at the firm, making Kim's addition a material change to the firm's governance structure.
Kim brings exceptional depth in Korean acquisition financing, having spent 30 years at Woori Bank (and its predecessor Hanil Bank) beginning in 1996. Over his tenure, he built a distinguished track record in the investment banking division, serving as head of the M&A team starting in 2013 and later as head of the entire investment banking division in 2017. His recent roles included deputy minister of investment banking and head of business support at Woori Financial Group before his final position in corporate sales. This extensive banking background represents a notable crossover from commercial banking to private equity leadership at a senior level.
During his career at Woori Bank, Kim arranged acquisition financing for multiple marquee transactions in the Korean market. Notable deals included MBK Partners' purchase of Doosan Infracore's machine tool business division (660 billion won), a 1 trillion won refinancing facility for ING Life Insurance, 340 billion won in acquisition financing for Rapaz Hanla Cement, and equity financing for Affinity Equity Partners' acquisition of Burger King Korea. Kim also led Woori Bank's strategic acquisition of equity in Lotte Card. This deal experience positions him to leverage existing banking relationships and financing expertise for KY PE's portfolio company acquisitions and refinancings.
Industry analysts expect Kim's appointment to enable KY PE to pursue more aggressive fundraising initiatives and expand its investment activity. The addition of a senior partner with established relationships in Korea's banking and M&A communities should enhance the firm's ability to source deals and secure acquisition financing at scale. The move reflects broader momentum in South Korea's private equity market, where PE fund creation and investment have reached record levels in recent years, supported by solid returns and optimistic growth forecasts for the sector.
Kim brings exceptional depth in Korean acquisition financing, having spent 30 years at Woori Bank (and its predecessor Hanil Bank) beginning in 1996. Over his tenure, he built a distinguished track record in the investment banking division, serving as head of the M&A team starting in 2013 and later as head of the entire investment banking division in 2017. His recent roles included deputy minister of investment banking and head of business support at Woori Financial Group before his final position in corporate sales. This extensive banking background represents a notable crossover from commercial banking to private equity leadership at a senior level.
During his career at Woori Bank, Kim arranged acquisition financing for multiple marquee transactions in the Korean market. Notable deals included MBK Partners' purchase of Doosan Infracore's machine tool business division (660 billion won), a 1 trillion won refinancing facility for ING Life Insurance, 340 billion won in acquisition financing for Rapaz Hanla Cement, and equity financing for Affinity Equity Partners' acquisition of Burger King Korea. Kim also led Woori Bank's strategic acquisition of equity in Lotte Card. This deal experience positions him to leverage existing banking relationships and financing expertise for KY PE's portfolio company acquisitions and refinancings.
Industry analysts expect Kim's appointment to enable KY PE to pursue more aggressive fundraising initiatives and expand its investment activity. The addition of a senior partner with established relationships in Korea's banking and M&A communities should enhance the firm's ability to source deals and secure acquisition financing at scale. The move reflects broader momentum in South Korea's private equity market, where PE fund creation and investment have reached record levels in recent years, supported by solid returns and optimistic growth forecasts for the sector.
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