Jean-Luc Valerio, chief of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company’s Korean operations, has been chosen as the new president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea, the chamber announced Tuesday.

The 53-year-old Frenchman will replace Jean-Marie Hurtiger, chief executive of Renault Samsung Motors who is returning to the auto giant’s headquarters in France. Hurtiger served two terms at the EUCCK since 2008.

“It is a great honor to be given this opportunity to lead the activities of the Chamber,” Valerio said in a statement. “I am grateful to all members for reposing trust in me. I will do my best to build on the strong ties between the EU and Korea.”

The EUCCK also reappointed Wolfgang Slawinski and newly named Andre Nothomb as vice presidents. Slawinski heads the Korean unit of Frequentis AG, an Austria-based air traffic control developer. Nothomb is a chief financial officer of Solvay Korea Company Ltd., the Seoul office of the Belgian chemicals group.

Valerio has been working in Korea since 2007 for EADS, a leading aerospace and defense contractor headquartered in Netherlands. He began his career in the industry in 1985 after receiving military, engineering and pilot training at the French Air Force Academy and elsewhere.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)