A pair of interest-rate derivative traders has recently quit Kookmin Bank in Seoul to take positions at other firms. Both traders said there was no connection between the timing of their departures.
Sang Ook Lee has joined HSBC as a senior trader, handling interest-rate products. Lee replaces Y.J. Rhee, who moved to Credit Agricole Indosuez earlier this year (DW, 4/22). Lee said he joined HSBC because he was looking for a challenging opportunity, declining to elaborate. S.T. Jung, head of treasury at HSBC, and to whom Lee reports, commented that the firm was looking for a sophisticated derivative trader.
K.H. Kim has joined Société Générale to launch its on-shore interest-rate trading desk. In this new position, he reports to J.Y. Jung, treasurer. Jung, who a few months back joined from J.P. Morgan Chase in Hong Kong, said SocGen is looking to recruit about seven additional staff, including interest-rate, fx and fixed-income traders and sales professionals.
At Kookmin, the duo reported to K.K. Yoo, head of the international finance department. Yoo said he would look to fill the positions internally, declining further comment.
