The Hedge Fund Association (“HFA”), a leading global nonprofit trade and nonpartisan lobbying organization, announced today two new leadership appointments focused on the expanding hedge fund community and institutional investor demand in Korea, demonstrating HFA’s enduring commitment to growth and diversity. Serving as HFA’s new Korea Chapter Regional Co-Directors, Robert Kim, Global Advisor for Alternative Summit Korea, and Raymond Kang, CEO of Prodigy Capital Management LLC, will develop educational programs with unique content and high level networking opportunities. Their inaugural Korea Hedge Fund Roundtable for established fund managers, top-tier Korean institutional investors and Korean financial regulatory leaders is scheduled for November 6, 2014 at The Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Korea, with further conference details to be announced by HFA.

“Following the 2012 launch of HFA’s Asian presence in Beijing and Shanghai, China, we welcome this expansion to Korea, led by two well-respected industry professionals,” commented HFA President Mitch Ackles. The Korea-based hedge fund community, comprised of approximately 20 firms, estimated at $2.7 Billion assets under management as of June 30, 2014, is expected to grow significantly in the next 2 years based on research by the Alternative Summit Korea team within The Korea Economic Daily. Major Korean institutional investors each managing approximately $2B Billion to $435 Billion according to The Korea Economic Daily, are reportedly in various stages of activating hedge fund investment mandates.

From a global perspective, there are just 12 Korea-dedicated hedge funds and approximately $2 Billion of hedge fund assets under management are allocated to Korea as of August 2014, according to data provided by Eurekahedge.

“I am honored to serve as HFA’s new Regional Co-Director and eager to collaboratively develop educational programs for the Korean alternative investment community by leveraging my industry experience, strategic relationships and contacts,” noted Robert Kim, Global Advisor of Alternative Summit Korea.

“On behalf of HFA, I look forward to initiating valuable cross-border relationship development between hedge fund managers and influential Korean institutional investors,” said Raymond Kang, CEO and managing partner of Prodigy Capital Management, LLC.

Robert Kim is a Global Advisor of Alternative Summit Korea (team operating within Korea Economic Daily News) which has organized one of the largest alternative investment conferences in Korea. Robert has been involved in investment, financial, and M&A sectors of the Korean and cross-border markets for over 25 years, including fundraising, investment banking, risk management, international joint ventures and strategic international alliances. He is Chairman of Asia Management Strategy Institute and a founding member of Korea Hedge Fund Council (KHFC) and serves as an Executive Advisor to a number of emerging technology companies.

Raymond Kang is founder, CEO and managing partner of Prodigy Capital Management, LLC, which, together with affiliated firms, provides funds of funds, portfolio construction and managed account platforms. Raymond also introduces U.S. and European hedge fund managers to Korean institutional investors. He is the chairman and one of the founding members of International Network of Korean Entrepreneurs’ New York Chapter, and one of the founding members of Korean-American Society of Entrepreneurs. He also founded two Dot.com companies and led a distinguished career in marketing and advertising prior to founding Prodigy Capital Management.