Sangmook RHEE joined the Seoul Design Foundation (SDF) in 2009, following a successful tenure at Samsung C&T. Established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the SDF is dedicated to nurturing Seoul's design industries and cultivating a vibrant design culture. Its primary focus centers on operating the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), an expansive infrastructure devoted to design, while driving various initiatives to reinforce the city's competitiveness as a global design hub.
Throughout his distinguished career at the SDF, RHEE has held pivotal leadership roles, including International Cooperation Team Leader and Director of the Seoul Design Incubation Center. In addition, as the Director of the Design Business Division, he led major flagship events such as Seoul Fashion Week, Seoul Design Week, and the DDP Design Fair, while directing the DDP Design Store to foster collaborations between global designers and craftsmen.
Currently serving as the Head of the Management Headquarters, he oversees the organization's strategic operations and administrative governance, contributing significantly to Seoul's dynamic design landscape.
