KUFA is the largest network of Korean financial professionals in Europe. It was created with the objective of providing a platform for Korean financial professionals to share ideas and learn from each other's experiences working in the UK.
We aspire to foster a spirit of unity and collaboration among professionals across various financial institutions through seminars, networking events, and a range of other activities.
Our mission
1
Network & Community
Promote and enhance the stature and the presence of the Korean financial professionals in the UK.
Create a trusted community and provide effective networking platform for members with common interests to build social and professional relationships.
2
Knowledge & Insight
Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information through seminars, workships and conferences.
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Organise networking and social events combined with discussions on the current topics in fiance and company presentations
3
Professional Growth
Broaden members' career perspectives through exchange of information on a wide range of financial professions and new opportunities
Organise networking events where young members can meet senior professionals and vice versa.
Provide mentorship to Korean students and the future leaders in the industry.
History
Early 2014
November 2014
December 2024
The idea of the association was mooted in early 2014 in a conversation between Mr. Byung Kyoo Kim, the former Minister Counsellor for Economic & Financial Affairs at the Korean embassy, and Kelly Park, a Korean financial professional worked in London, when the former Ambassador, Mr. Sung Nam Lim, hosted a reception at his Residence to encourage the network between Koreans working in finance.
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The Steering Committee, comprising 11 professionals working in London, is run completely by volunteers who have been working together with the same vision to build a trusted community for Korean financial professionals in UK.
The association launched officially in Nov 2014 through an inaugural event at Korean Cultural Centre in Central London. The first part of the event, a Mentoring Programme for Korean Univerity students, was held in the afternoon, followed by an evening reception joined by over 150 Korean professionals working in finance to celebrate the launch of the new association.
New President Jonghwan Bae was endorsed by His Excellency Mr. Yoon Yeo Cheol and Financial Counsellor Yi Han Kim to lead the revival of the Korean UK Finance Association (KUFA). On the 9th of December, KUFA held a re-establishment ceremony at the Korean Cultural Centre UK in London, officially marking the resumption of activities after a 5-year pause since the COVID-19 pandemic. The association was rebuilt entirely from scratch, including creating a new bank account, recruiting a new board of members, drafting a new charter, and developing a new organisational logo, identity, and website. Positioned within London's prominent global financial hub, KUFA remains committed to enhancing the visibility and influence of Korean finance professionals, building a trusted and collaborative community, and fostering meaningful partnerships between the financial sectors of Korea and the United Kingdom through various innovative initiatives.