HDI Global opens Seoul office
HDI Global (HDI) has expanded its Asia–Pacific presence with the opening of a representative office in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Working with a local expert team and in close collaboration with HDI’s Hong Kong branch, HDI Global said that it continues its growth path in the region. A presence in Korea enables HDI to deepen relationships with brokers, cedents, and clients in one of Asia’s largest insurance markets.
The office opening in Seoul forms part of HDI’s strategic approach to profitable growth. It creates access to the company’s capabilities and enables more focused segment targeting in areas where HDI holds strong competitive advantages – including ESG liability, renewable energy, and infrastructure.
HDI is pleased to welcome Ki Hyung Jo as market lead in Korea. According to the company Jo is a seasoned local insurance expert with 25 years’ market experience, bringing deep underwriting and product‑development expertise, and being well connected among brokers, clients and cedents. The new Seoul office is designed as an agile set‑up: a team on the ground manages broker, client, and cedent relationships directly in Korea, while core processes such as underwriting and claims continue to be handled from HDI Global Hong Kong.
With a total market size of approximately EUR 80 billion, Korea is among the biggest P&C insurance markets in Asia. Korean market participants will now benefit from HDI’s broad product portfolio and specialist expertise, with selected specialty solutions introduced progressively. Examples include event‑cancellation cover for large K‑pop events and surety solutions for Korean contractors operating overseas.
“Korea is a logical next step in our growth agenda,” says David Hullin, member of the HDI Global Executive Board. “We want to act as clients’ and brokers’ preferred Partner in Transformation – thinking globally and acting locally. By establishing local proximity and an access point to HDI Global’s worldwide capabilities, we deepen relationships with our partners and accelerate the delivery of bespoke solutions for the specific needs of Korea’s economy – at home and internationally. I am very pleased that, with Ki Hyung Jo, we have secured a capable and highly regarded industry expert driving our ambitious growth plans in the region.”
“I am delighted to be joining HDI Global at such an exciting time, as the company pursues ambitious growth objectives”, says Ki Hyung Jo. “Our local presence in Seoul enables us to support Korean clients closely and on the ground. I look forward to collaborating with our global team – particularly our colleagues in Hong Kong – to deliver seamless, high-quality support to Korean businesses as they navigate their transformation journey.”
Michael Ahn, chief executive HDI Global Hong Kong, says: “The opening of our representative office in Seoul is a significant milestone for HDI Global. This presence will enable all our stakeholders to benefit from HDI’s capabilities as we strive to add real value to our partners’ business, whether supporting Korean companies in their domestic market or accompanying them on their international journey, leveraging our own global network and experience.”
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