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Fitial reappoints Kim to MVA board
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Posted on Nov 11 2011
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reappointed last week Kwang Joong Kim to the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors.
Kim’s nomination was rejected by a Senate panel in June this year as he is not a U.S. citizen and was not eligible for the position. A new law signed in September this year, however, amended that requirement, allowing the nomination of a CNMI resident but is not a U.S. citizen or national. Kim is a Korean citizen.
Kim’s new nomination is as representative of Saipan businesses and, if confirmed by the Senate, will fill the seat vacated by Jerry Tan in March last year. His term will expire on March 18, 2014.
“The lieutenant governor and I are confident that Mr. Kim is qualified and will be an asset on this important board. We will provide copies of his resume, statement of financial interest, police clearance, drug test receipt, and drug test result as soon as they become available,” said Fitial in his letter to Sen. President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota).
Kim was named honorary tourism ambassador of MVA in 2009 for his contributions to the local tourism industry. He was the general manager of Asiana Airlines in the Northern Marianas from 2005 to June 2009 and successfully brought in tourists and golfers from Korea. He was also honored for his active promotion of the CNMI as a great destination.
Asiana Airlines and Laolao Bay Golf Resort in Saipan are both owned by the Kumho Asiana conglomerate in Korea. Kim is now assigned at the golf resort. In 2007, Kim was selected by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce as its Business Person of the Year.
