As IRRI’s Representative Director for Asia, Jongsoo coordinates the institute's activities and ensures that the strategies of IRRI are aligned with the priorities and needs of the region. Jongsoo was IRRI’s representative in Myanmar from 2016 to 2019. Prior to rejoining IRRI as Asia Representative, he worked as the Director General and Country Director of Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). He also worked for Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) as a Senior Agricultural Specialist, and in Syngenta Seeds Korea and Monsanto Company as Head of Sales and Marketing.
He obtained his undergraduate (BS Agronomy), master’s (MS Plant Breeding and Genetics) and doctorate (PhD in Crop Science) degrees from Korea University, and has a master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Guelph in Canada.