Prostar Capital, a global private investment firm focused on the energy transition to net-zero carbon emissions, has hired In Ku Kang as an operating partner. Kang, who is based in Seoul, will focus on adding to Prostar’s existing investment footprint in South Korea, where it owns Kyungnam Energy, an independent city gas business in the country.

“Mr. Kang has worked with the Prostar team for more than five years and we look forward to him bringing his operational insights and deep industry and government connections to his new role as Operating Partner,” said Dave Noakes, senior managing director at Prostar Capital. “South Korea has been an investment focus for Prostar for more than a decade, and the firm has a pipeline comprising of US$500 million in proprietary deals ready to deploy, including a clean energy business supported by strong energy demand growth and a renewed commitment by the South Korean government to accelerate the country’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions.”

Kang most recently served as CEO of Prostar’s portfolio company, Kyungnam Energy. Prior to Kyungnam, Kang served as chief executive at Korea Energy Terminal.

“As an Operating Partner, Mr. Kang will work with the Prostar team on developing investment opportunities in natural gas, the critical bridging fuel to support the energy transition, as well as investments in alternative, cleaner processes and technologies that can offset carbon emissions and be partnered with renewable sources,” said Steve Bickerton, senior managing director at Prostar Capital.  “Given the depth of Mr. Kang’s experience, we expect that he will make a significant contribution to the growth of our portfolio companies and support Prostar’s long-term commitment to meeting the South Korean government’s targets to increase LNG and renewables usage.”