'Father of Leverage' Kim Doo-nam Promoted to Executive Vice President at Samsung Asset Management—Set to Drive ETF Market Leadership

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Kyu Sun Lee =

Kim Doo-nam, a pioneer of South Korea’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) market and known as a first-generation ETF leader, has been promoted to Executive Vice President at Samsung Asset Management Co., Ltd., the country’s largest asset manager by ETF market share.

Kim, who played a pivotal role in establishing Samsung Asset Management’s ETF brand ‘KODEX’ as the undisputed industry leader, is widely recognized as the “Father of Leverage” for launching Asia’s first leveraged and inverse ETFs. His expanded leadership is expected to further strengthen Samsung Asset Management’s dominance in the rapidly growing ETF sector.

On the 26th, Samsung Asset Management announced its “2026 Regular Executive Appointments,” promoting Kim Doo-nam, head of the Customer Marketing Division, to Executive Vice President.

From Financial Engineer to ‘Father of ETFs’—A Game Changer Who Reshaped the Market

Born in 1971, Kim Doo-nam graduated from Gangneung High School and Korea University’s Department of Japanese Language and Literature, later earning a master’s degree in financial engineering from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). He is recognized as a quant expert.

Kim began his career at LG Investment & Securities (now NH Investment & Securities) in 1997 and joined Samsung Asset Management’s index management team in 2004, marking the start of his involvement with ETFs. Over the past two decades, he has been a key figure throughout the formative, growth, and maturity phases of South Korea’s ETF market.

Kim is synonymous with “firsts” in the industry. His landmark achievements include the 2009 and 2010 listings of Asia’s first inverse and leveraged ETFs. At the time, regulatory hurdles—such as tax issues and tracking error concerns under South Korea’s Capital Markets Act—made such products seem nearly impossible to launch. Kim overcame these challenges by devising the “F-KOSPI200” futures index, which avoided tax complications, and by introducing repurchase agreement (RP) structures to ensure both liquidity and profitability for leveraged ETFs.

These innovations transformed South Korea’s ETF market from simple index tracking to an active trading environment, cementing Samsung Asset Management’s overwhelming market share.

Beyond Product Development—A Versatile Strategist in Marketing and Solutions

Kim’s expertise extends beyond portfolio management. He has held key positions including Head of Multi-Asset Management, Head of ETF Solutions, and Head of the ETF Business Division, demonstrating capabilities in both product development and marketing.

Since 2022, as Chief Marketing Officer, Kim has overhauled marketing strategies to adapt to the digital finance era, leveraging YouTube and social media to engage directly with investors and boost KODEX brand loyalty.

During periods of heightened market volatility, he championed asset allocation ETFs such as Target Date Funds (TDFs) and Target Risk Funds (TRFs). Kim’s investment philosophy—emphasizing stable asset allocation regardless of market swings—has shifted the focus from short-term returns to long-term wealth accumulation for investors. This approach has underpinned Samsung Asset Management’s competitive edge in the fast-growing retirement pension market.

“Strengthening Core Competitiveness”—Securing Leadership Amid Intensifying ETF Competition

Kim’s promotion comes as the South Korean ETF market surpasses 200 trillion won ($154 billion), intensifying competition among major players. With rivals such as Mirae Asset Global Investments in pursuit, Samsung Asset Management is betting on Kim’s comprehensive expertise—from product structuring to operations and marketing—to maintain its lead.

A Samsung Asset Management official said, “Executive Vice President Kim Doo-nam has solidified our No. 1 position in the ETF market by responding swiftly to changing market conditions. This promotion will further enhance our product and marketing capabilities, reinforcing our core competitiveness and market dominance in key business areas.”

Following these executive appointments, Samsung Asset Management plans to announce organizational restructuring and new assignments in the near future. The industry is closely watching the new strategies and organizational changes that Kim will spearhead.

kslee2@yna.co.kr

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