SKC and SK Telesys chairman Choi Shin-won has been appointed to the international board of governors of the Pacific Forum CSIS (Center for Strategic & International Studies), SK Telesys said.

His appointment was made at the recommendation of Ralph A. Cossa, president of the forum, in May after researching influential Korean businessmen with a high understanding of international issues.

The CSIS is a nonprofit, private research institute of internationally distinguished figures in politics, business and academia. The Pacific Forum CSIS plays the role of think tank on policy issues related to Northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula.

Founded in 1975 and based in Honolulu, Hawaii, the forum operates as the Asia-Pacific arm of the center in Washington, D.C.

The board consists of 25 governors. Among them are Hyun Hong-choo, attorney at law at Kim & Chang and former Korean ambassador to the U.S., and Kim Jin-hyun, former Korean minister of science and technology. Choi is the third Korean named to the board.

His father’s younger brother, the late SK Group chairman Chey Jong-hyon, sat on the board in 1991.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)