Blackstone expands presence in South Korea

Blackstone has plans to expand its presence in South Korea, a key market where it has built a presence during the past 15 years.

Yung-Ku Ha, the firm’s executive adviser for South Korea who joined Blackstone in August 2021, has been appointed chairman. He joins Chris Kim, who has been hired as a managing director to lead the newly created real estate team in the country.

In addition, the firm has relocated to a new space near the Gwanghwamun central business district in Seoul.

Prior to joining Blackstone, Ha served in various leadership roles including as chairman and CEO of Citigroup Korea and as chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks.

Kim joins Blackstone from Angelo, Gordon & Co., where he was most recently its co-head of Korea Real Estate.