Chairman & Head of Member States Liason
Chair & Director of Intergovernmental Relations (DIR), CIRAS – IIGO
Dr. Hae-Jung Jung brings over four decades of global leadership in engineering, infrastructure development, international trade, and diplomatic-level cooperation to CIRAS – IIGO.
As founder and Chairman of MK International Inc., Dr. Jung built a publicly traded global enterprise that spans continents, combining industrial engineering, financing, environmental infrastructure, and cross-border projects — making him exceptionally suited to lead CIRAS’s intergovernmental relations and strategic partnerships.
Key Contributions and Expertise:
- Technical & Academic Foundations: Dr. Jung studied architectural/civil engineering in the United States, before obtaining an MBA (1985) and a Ph.D. in Business Administration (1989). In 2001 he completed postgraduate studies in IT and electronic commerce, adding technological acumen to his engineering and business education.
- Global Enterprise Leadership: Under his stewardship, MK International Inc. expanded into a diversified global group offering industrial engineering, consulting, manufacturing, infrastructural and environmental projects, and international financing. The company’s operations have reached more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
- Diplomatic & Intergovernmental Engagement: Dr. Jung has served as Honorary Consul-General of Sierra Leone to Korea, Ambassador-At-Large to multiple African states, and senior advisor to governmental and trade institutions around the globe — demonstrating deep experience in diplomacy, international treaties, development cooperation, and cross-cultural negotiation.
- Infrastructure & Development Projects: He has overseen major infrastructure developments, industrial complexes, and turnkey projects — combining engineering excellence with financing and cross-border collaboration, often involving public-private partnerships and intergovernmental coordination.
Impact at CIRAS:
As Chairman & Head of Member States Liason, Dr. Jung will:
- Serve as the principal liaison between CIRAS – IIGO and national governments, inter-governmental bodies, and international institutions.
- Lead the negotiation and execution of cooperation agreements, treaties, and memoranda of understanding with member states and external partners.
- Mobilize MK International’s extensive global network to facilitate major interdisciplinary and multinational projects under the CIRAS framework (infrastructure, development, science, health, environment).
- Represent CIRAS – IIGO at global summits, diplomatic gatherings, economic forums, and development conferences — ensuring visibility, legitimacy, and outreach across continents.
- Provide strategic counsel to CIRAS leadership on geopolitical, economic, and cultural matters, ensuring that applied research and projects are aligned with regional needs, compliance, and international standards.
Vision & Mission Statement
“To transform global research and innovation into actionable, equitable, and sustainable development — establishing CIRAS – IIGO as a bridge between science, policy, and humanity.”
Under Dr. Jung’s leadership, the CIRAS – IIGO will act as a global integrator — bringing together governments, science, industry, and civil society into cooperative frameworks that deliver tangible value, cross-cultural collaboration, and shared progress.
His role will be pivotal in scaling CIRAS’s mission beyond research, into real-world, global applications and intergovernmental impact.
Strengths & Distinguishing Qualities
- Global reach & trust networks — extensive leadership in many countries across varied cultural, economic, and political contexts.
- Interdisciplinary project experience — bridging engineering, finance, infrastructure, environmental responsibility, and cross-border collaboration.
- Diplomatic competence & institutional credibility — former consul and ambassadorial roles, experience with governments and international trade institutions.
- Strategic vision & long-term institutional building — experience growing a company into a global group over decades, now ready to bring those skills to building international scientific governance.
- Bridge-building mindset — able to connect science, technology, policy, business, and development in a holistic, ethical, and sustainable framework.
Why Dr. Jung is a Strong Fit for CIRAS – IIGO
Dr. Hae-Jung Jung uniquely combines engineering & infrastructure expertise, global diplomatic experience, cross-continental business leadership, and development finance understanding — a rare combination ideally suited to lead the intergovernmental relations arm of a global research and innovation organization.
As CIRAS moves toward becoming a genuine intergovernmental institution, his appointment as Chair & Director for Intergovernmental Relations (DIR), CIRAS – IIGO will anchor the organization with credibility, global access, institutional know-how, and strategic reach — making him a linchpin for future global collaboration, funding, and science-driven development.
