A Korean-American has been elected as the new leader of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea for the first time in the organization’s 60-year history.

James Kim, the general manager and CEO of Microsoft Korea, is to replace the incumbent chairperson, Pat Gaines, in January for a one-year term.

Kim was picked to lead the influential group in a one-month election process in November. Kim ran as the sole candidate.

Observers expressed hopes that along with U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Sung Kim of Korean descent, the incoming AMCHAM chairman would play a crucial role in enhancing economic relations between South Korea and the U.S.

Kim has served as the Microsoft Korea chief since 2009. Before the post, he worked as the CEO of Yahoo Korea from 2007 and Asia regional vice president of overture from 2005.

Kim graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with an economics degree in 1984 and received an MBA from Harvard University in 1992.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)