• About HUF

    International Housing and Urban Finance Forum

    Hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and organized by the Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG), Housing Finance Foundation, Korean Association for Housing Policy Studies. It is the largest international housing and city finance event in Korea where domestic and foreign experts have participated since 2013 to share policy cases from each country.

Speakers of HUF

Key Speaker at the 10th International Housing and Urban Finance Forum

is an online participating speaker.

  • Datuk Seri (Dr) Michael Yam Kong Choy

    REHDA Institute, Malaysia

    Trustee

    • Datuk Seri (Dr) Michael Yam Kong Choy

      REHDA Institute, Malaysia Trustee

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      EDUCATION 
        Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building 
       • Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 
       • Post-Graduate Diploma in Building & Management Studies, University of Westminster, UK,
         D.Univ of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland 

      CURRENT NGO & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 
       • Past President, Chartered Institute of Building (2022/2023) 
       • Past President & Patron, Real Estate & Housing Developers Association, Malaysia 
       • Chancellor, University of Wollongong Malaysia 
       • Adjunct Professor, University Technology Mara 
       • Adjunct Professor, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology 
       • Chairman of the Construction & Built Environment Nexus, Malaysia Productivity Corporation 

      CAREER (PRESENT) 
       • Chairman, Triterra Sdn Bhd 
       • Chairman, Mercure KL Glenmarie Hotel 
       • Chairman, Metropolitan Lake Development Sdn Bhd 

      CAREER (PAST) 
       •  MD/CEO, Sunrise Berhad, Country Heights Holdings Berhad, both public listed company, 
          Senior Independent Director of Malaysia Airports PLC, Paramount Corporation PLC, 
          Cahya Mata Sarawak PLC 
       •  Independent Director Sunway Berhad, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad 
       • ​ Chairman, Invest KL Corporation, Sama Sama Hotel, Kwasa Land Sdn Bhd  

      ACADEMIC/RESEARCH INTERESTS ​
       • ​ Trustee of REHDA Institute which carries out market research, surveys and thought leadership publications 
       • ​ Mentor, Coach and guest lecturer at universities, colleges and conferences 
       • ​ Chair of Working Group for CIOB’s “Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment” 
          by Professor Christopher Gorse published in 2023 

       •  Contributed a chapter on “Housing Needs and Aspirations – Challenges and Changes in the Industry”

          published by National Mortgage Corporation in 2013

  • Ro Seung-Han 

    Department of Real Estate Studies, Konkuk University

    Professor

    • Ro Seung-Han 

      Department of Real Estate Studies, Konkuk University Professor

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

      Academic Background

       · ​​2011 Ph.D., Georgia State University, College of Business, Department of Real Estate

       · 2005 Master’s degree, Georgia Institute of Technology), College of Architecture, Real Estate Asset Management

       · 2003 Bachelor’s degree, Sungkyunkwan University, College of Engineering, Department of Architecture

       

      Career

       · 2013- Present Professor, Konkuk University, Graduate School of Real Estate

       · 2011-2013 Assistant Professor, University of Reading, Department of Real Estate and Planning

       · 2006-2010 Research/Teaching Assistant, Georgia State University, College of Business, Department of Real Estate

       

  • Dao Thi Nhu

    Ministry of Construction, Vietnam

    Specialist

    • Dao Thi Nhu

      Ministry of Construction, Vietnam Specialist

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

      Education

       · Achitecte, Phd (on urbanization and urban archtectural heritage preservation)

       

      Profession

       · ​Urban development management, architecture heritage preservation.

       · ​Urban Development Project Management

       · ​Research Urbanization in Vietnam and develop urban development policies and urban development strategies

       

      Career

       · ​From 2008 to 2019: Working at the Urban Development Project Management Board, Ministry of Construction

       · From 2019 to now: Working at the Urban Development Strategy and Planning Department, Urban Development Department, Ministry of Construction​
  • Dao Harrison

    World Bank (WB)

    Senior Housing Specialist

    • Dao Harrison

      World Bank (WB) Senior Housing Specialist

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

      Education

       ·BA in Liberal Arts

       · MBA in Finance, Investment and Banking

       

      Career: 

       ·Current : Sr. Housing Specialist, World Bank

                         

      Past

       ·Senior Housing Finance Advisor – Affordable Housing Institute

        -  International Director of Risk Management- Genworth Mortgage insurance

        -  ​Vice President of Corporate Development - Credit Lyonnais Securities

        -  ​Vice President of Commercial - Friesland Campina

       

  • Kim Kyung-Hwan 

    Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HF)

    President

    • Kim Kyung-Hwan 

      Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HF) President

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

      Academic Background

      - Bachelor of Economics, Sogang University

      - Ph.D. in Economics, Princeton University


      Career

      - President, Korea Real Estate Finance Investment Forum (2023-2024)

      - First Vice Minister, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (2015-2017)

      - President, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (2013-2015)

      - Professor, Sogang University (1988-2022)

  • Altay Kuzdibayev 

    Kazakhstan Housing Company

    Chairman

    • Altay Kuzdibayev 

      Kazakhstan Housing Company Chairman

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

      Education

       · Bachelor’s in International Economics, Lomonosov Moscow State University 

       · Master’s in Management 

       

      Career

       · ​JSC Kazakhstan Housing Company (KHC)

        - Chairman of the Board (2024–Present) 

        - Played a key leadership role during KHC’s formation in 2020, consolidating multiple housing institutions, 

          including Baiterek Development, into a unified operator 

        - Focuses on affordable housing solutions, digital transformation, and sustainable development 

       · ​Baiterek Development

        - Deputy Chairman (2013–2020) 

        - Actively supported housing and infrastructure development projects 

       ·​ Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan

        - Started career in 2008 

       ·​ Credit Bureau Leadership

        - Held key positions at the First Credit Bureau and the State Credit Bureau under the National Bank of Kazakhstan 

       

      Awards and Honors

       · State Medal: "For Distinguished Labor" 

       · Honorary Medal: "Excellence in Financial Service"

  • Kim Kyun-Tae

    Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG)

    Doctor

    • Kim Kyun-Tae

      Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) Doctor

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

      Education

       Ph.D. of Economics, Seoul National University

       

      Career​

       ​Current) Head of the Guarantee Research Team 

               at the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation's Housing and Urban Finance Research Institute

       ​Past) Head of the Economic Research Team, Hyundai Heavy Industries

               Researcher of Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

  • Marja C. Hoek-Smit

    Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

    Emeritus Director

    • Marja C. Hoek-Smit

      Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Emeritus Director

      Session : 2 Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance

       Education

      ·         Doctoral Degree, Social Anthropology and Social Geography, University of Amsterdam, 1971.

      ·         Kandidats Degree, Social Geography, University of Amsterdam, 1965.

      ·         Post-graduate work (non-degree), Urban Anthropology, University of Stockholm, 1972-74

       

      Professional Experience

      ·         Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

      o    Founder and Emeritus Director of the International Housing Finance Program

      o    Emeritus Adjunct Professor, Real Estate Department

      o    Instructor for executive education programs in housing finance and housing market analysis

      ·         University of Cape Town, South Africa

      o    Founder, Co-Director, and Core Instructor of the Housing Finance Course for Sub-Saharan Africa

      ·         HOFINET (Housing Finance Information Network)

      o    Founder and Executive Director

      o    Provides standardized global housing finance data and information to the public

      o    Collaborates with the European Mortgage Federation and International Secondary Mortgage Market Association

      ·         Advisor to governments, private, and non-profit sectors in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies

      o    Expertise in housing and housing finance policies, subsidy systems, market assessments, and institutional development

      ·         Ongoing projects in Egypt, Uzbekistan, and India

      ·         Member of the Advisory Board of Habitat for Humanity's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter and several NGO boards in affordable housing

  • Seo Pyoung-Seok 

    Financial Stability Strategy and Coordination Division, Financial Stability Department, Bank of Korea

    Director

    • Seo Pyoung-Seok 

      Financial Stability Strategy and Coordination Division, Financial Stability Department, Bank of Korea Director

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      Education

        ·​​ Master's in Public Administration, University of Michigan

        ·​​ ​Bachelor's in Business Administration, Yonsei University 

      Career

        ·​​ 2023, Director, Financial Stability Planning Division, Financial Stability Department

        ·​​ 2019, Team Leader, Non-Banking Sector Analysis, Financial Stability Department

        ·​​ 2017, Deputy Director, Financial Stability Department

        ·​​ 2011, Manager, International Department

        ·​​ 2008, Manager, Financial Markets Department

        ·​​ ​2000, Joined Bank of Korea 

  • Jin Mee-Youn

    Korean Association for Housing Policy Studies

    President

    • Jin Mee-Youn

      Korean Association for Housing Policy Studies President

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      Education

        ·​ Ph.D. in Science, Yonsei University Graduate School (Major in Housing Policy)

        · ​M.S. in Science, Yonsei University Graduate School (Major in Housing Studies) 

       

      Career

        ·​​ Current : President, Korean Housing Association (Jan. 2024~ Dec. 2024)

        ·​​ Former : Senior Researcher, Land & Housing Institute, Korea Land & Housing Corporation

       

  • Cho Man

    KDI School of Public Policy and Management

    Emritus Professor

    • Cho Man

      KDI School of Public Policy and Management Emritus Professor

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      Education

       1991 : Ph.D in Applied Economics & Management Science, University of Pennsylvania 

                (The Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania)

       

      Career​​​​

       2023-present : Emeritus Professor, KDI School of PP&M

       2007-2022 : Professor, KDI School of PP&M

       ​2020-2022 : Chairman, Int’l Academy of Fin.Con. (IAFICO)

       2015–2019 : Editor, International Review of Fin. Cons.

       2016–2018 : Associate Dean, KDI School of PP&M

       2016 : Visiting Professor, National University of Singapore

       2011–2014 : Director, Real Asset Research Team, KDI

       1992-2007 : Fannie Mae, USA (Economist, and various business R&D positions)

       2004-2007 : Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University 

       ​1991-1992 : Long-term Consultant, The World Bank

  • Srinivas Sampath

    Water and Urban Development Sector Office Sectors Group (SG), ADB

    Director

    • Srinivas Sampath

      Water and Urban Development Sector Office Sectors Group (SG), ADB Director

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      Education

        · ​PhD in Economics, University College London (UCL), UK

        · Master's degrees in Urban Planning and Geography

       

      Professional Experience

        · ​Director for Emerging Business Areas, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Sectors Group, ADB

         - Leads the Emerging Business Areas team in urban infrastructure development

         - ​Initiated ADB’s PPP transaction advisory business in 2011; a founding member of ADB’s Office of PPP in 2014, leading its transaction advisory efforts

         - Spearheaded the establishment of a dedicated Urban Climate Resilience Fund in collaboration with DFID (now FCDO) 

            and the Rockefeller Foundation in 2013, supporting ADB’s sovereign and non-sovereign operations

         - Co-led the creation of a debt platform in 2021 with HSBC, Temasek, and Clifford Capital to accelerate sustainable infrastructure in Asia; 

            the platform now operates as Pentagreen Capital with its independent management and investment team

         - Over 29 years of experience in infrastructure and investment banking, structuring, developing, 

            and financing infrastructure assets across 45 countries, and fostering private sector market development

  • Nam Young-Woo

    Korea Nazarene University

    Professor

    • Nam Young-Woo

      Korea Nazarene University Professor

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      Education

       1991-1996 B.A. in Business Administration, Konkuk University

       1996-1998 M.A. in Business Administration, Seoul National University

      • 2003-2007 Ph.D. in Business Administration, Konkuk University

       

      Career

       ​Current

       - Professor : Department of Finance and Real Estate at Korea Nazarene University

       - Senior Vice President : Korea Housing Association

       - Member of the Housing Lease Committee of the Ministry of Justice

       Past

       - ​Researcher : KB Kookmin Bank's Research Institute

  • Stephen Malpezzi

    University of Wisconsin

    Professor

    • Stephen Malpezzi

      University of Wisconsin Professor

      Session : 1 The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World

      Education

        · ​B.A. ​in Political Science, La Salle University

        · M.A. in International Affairs, The George Washington University

        · Ph.D. in Economics, The George Washington University

       

      Career

        · ​Current ​: Dean, School of Advanced Real Estate Studies, Hoyt Institute

        · ​Emeritus Professor: ​University of Wisconsin-Madison, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate

      ​    - Served multiple terms as Department Chair and Academic Director of the Graaskamp Center for Real Estate

        · ​Past : Conducted urban development research at the World Bank and the Urban Institute

        · ​Professional Service 

      ​    - Past President of the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (AREUEA)

      ​    - Awarded the John Quigley Medal by AREUEA for "Advancing Real Estate and Urban Economics"

        · ​Research Interests : Economic development, the measurement and determinants of real estate prices, 

                                     and the effects of regulation and economic policies on real estate markets

        · ​Notable Publications : A Primer on U.S. Housing Markets and Housing Policy 

                                        (with Richard Green, Urban Institute Press, 2003; second edition forthcoming)

        · ​Advisory Experience :

      ​    - ​Advised governments and private sector organizations on urban policies in countries 

            including Canada, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, 

            Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

       ​

Program

Time Contents
12:00 ~ 13:00 (60‘) Registration
13:00 ~ 13:15 (15‘) Opening Ceremony
13:15 ~ 13:30 (15‘) Coffee Break
13:30 ~ 15:00 (90‘) SessionⅠ The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World
Topic 1 Polarization and Urban Finance : Some Insights from Abroad
- Stephen Malpezzi Professor University of Wisconsin
Topic 2 Changes in Korea's Housing Market and the Role of Housing & Urban Finance
- Nam Young-Woo Korea Nazarene University
Panel Discussion Moderator
- Cho Man KDI School of Public Policy and Management

Panelists
- Srinivas Sampath Director, Water and Urban Development Sector Office Sectors Group (SG), ADBn
- Datuk Seri Dr. Michael Yam Kong Choy Trustee of REHDA Institute, Malaysia
- Jin Mee-Youn President of the Korean Association for Housing Policy Studies
- Seo Pyoung-Seok Director of Financial Stability Strategy and Coordination Division, Financial Stability Department, Bank of Korea
15:00 ~ 15:30 (30‘) Coffee Break
15:30 ~ 17:20 (110‘) SessionⅡ Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance
Topic 1 “Global Housing Finance: Recent Trends, Challenges to Unlock Housing Finance
in Emerging Market Economies and Lessons from Korea

- Marja C. Hoek-Smit University of Pennsylvania
Topic 2 Korea’s Economic Growth and Housing Finance : Lessons and Insights
- Dr. Kim Kyun-Tae Deputy Director, Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG)
Topic 3 Kazakhstan Housing Company : Advancing Affordable Housing Through Innovation and Collaboration
- Altay Kuzdibayev, Chairman Kazakhstan Housing Company
Panel Discussion Moderator
- Kim Kyung-Hwan CEO of Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HF)

Panelists
- Dao Harrison Senior Housing Specialist, World Bank (WB)
- Dr. Dao Thi Nhu Urban Development Agency, Ministry of Construction of Vietnam
- Prof. Ro Seung-hwan Department of Real Estate Studies, Konkuk University
17:30 ~ Banquet

※ The contents of the program are subject to change.

12:00 ~ 13:00 (60‘)
Registration
13:00 ~ 13:15 (15‘)
Opening Ceremony
13:15 ~ 13:30 (15‘)
Coffee Break
13:30 ~ 15:00 (90‘)
SessionⅠ The Role of Housing and Urban Finance in an Increasingly Polarizing World
Topic 1 Polarization and Urban Finance : Some Insights from Abroad
- Stephen Malpezzi Professor University of Wisconsin
Topic 2 The Changes in the Korean Housing Market Environment and the Role of Housing and Urban Finance
- Nam Young-Woo Korea Nazarene University
Panel Discussion Moderator
- Cho Man KDI School of Public Policy and Management

Panelists
- Srinivas Sampath Director, Water and Urban Development Sector Office Sectors Group (SG), ADBn
- Datuk Seri Dr. Michael Yam Kong Choy Trustee of REHDA Institute, Malaysia
- Jin Mee-Youn President of the Korean Association for Housing Policy Studies
- Seo Pyoung-Seok Director of Financial Stability Strategy and Coordination Division, Financial Stability Department, Bank of Korea
15:00 ~ 15:30 (30‘)
Coffee Break
15:30 ~ 17:20 (110‘)
SessionⅡ Sharing Korea’s Experience in Housing and Urban Finance
Topic 1 “Global Housing Finance: Recent Trends, Challenges to Unlock Housing Finance in Emerging Market Economies and Lessons from Korea
- Marja C. Hoek-Smit University of Pennsylvania
Topic 2 The Experience of Economic Growth in Korea and the Role of Housing Finance
- Dr. Kim Kyun-Tae Deputy Director, Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG)
Topic 3 Kazakhstan Housing Company : Advancing Affordable Housing Through Innovation and Collaboration
- Altay Kuzdibayev Chairman Kazakhstan Housing Company
Panel Discussion Moderator
- Kim Kyung-Hwan CEO of Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HF)

Panelists
- Dao Harrison Senior Housing Specialist, World Bank (WB)
- Dr. Dao Thi Nhu Urban Development Agency, Ministry of Construction of Vietnam
- Prof. Ro Seung-hwan Department of Real Estate Studies, Konkuk University
17:30 ~
Banquet

※ The Contents of the program are subject to change.