Kim Jin-ho, the chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline Korea, was elected this week as chairman of the Korea Research-based Pharmaceutical Industry Association, one of the largest organizations for pharmaceutical companies here with over 30 members.

Kim was the second Korean following Lee Dong-soo, CEO of Pfizer Korea, to take up the post, according to industry sources.

Kim will start his duties as the new chairman beginning Feb. 1, the association said.

“The status of Korean companies in the global pharmaceutical industry has become significantly elevated,” Kim said following his election. “Under such circumstances, I will do my best to guide global pharmaceutical firms in a way that helps strengthen the global competitiveness of the local players.”

The GSK head will have much on his plate, industry observers said, as the pharmaceutical industry has been hit by the global economic recession, which has caused many of the members to slim down their staff.

The growing presence of biosimilars and generic medicines ― less-pricey brands of drugs ― is another issue that the incoming chairman will help to address with fellow members.

Since March, Kim had served as the vice chairman of the association, while at GSK Group, he was promoted to executive vice president, and as the head of the North Asian region business.

GSK is the largest pharmaceutical company in Korea in terms of sales.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)