Disney names Carol Choi Asia Pacific President as Luke Kang retires after 16 years

Carol Choi will take over as president of The Walt Disney Company’s Asia Pacific operations, following Luke Kang’s decision to retire after 16 years with the entertainment giant.

Disney confirmed the leadership transition on Tuesday, with Choi, currently executive vice president of Disney APAC, set to assume the role on December 1st. 

In her new position, Choi will oversee Disney Entertainment’s operations across Greater China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Her responsibilities will include the company’s film studios, Disney+, local original productions, consumer products, media networks and content sales.

A 20-year veteran of Disney, Choi has most recently overseen the company’s regional studios business, original content strategy and integrated marketing. 

She previously served as managing director of Disney in Japan and Korea, alongside senior leadership positions in Greater China. Her tenure has included supporting the regional expansion of Disney+, growing the company’s theatrical business and developing partnerships with creative talent and production companies across Asia Pacific.

“Carol Choi is a proven Disney leader with broad operating experience, strong creative instincts, and a deep understanding of the region, and she is the perfect person to lead the organisation into its next chapter,” said Disney Entertainment Studios chairman Alan Bergman and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro in a joint statement.

Choi said she was looking forward to building on the company’s existing operations and strengthening its relationships with audiences across the region. 

“I am honoured to take on this role and grateful to Luke for the strong foundation he has built,” she said. “Asia Pacific is home to some of the world’s most passionate fans and dynamic creative communities. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to bring exceptional stories and experiences to audiences, grow our businesses, and deepen Disney’s connection with fans across the region.”

Kang’s departure brings an end to a 16-year career with Disney, which began in 2011 when he joined as managing director of Korea. He later took responsibility for the Greater China and North Asia businesses before becoming president of the wider APAC region. 

Under his leadership, Disney expanded its streaming presence, invested in locally produced programming and strengthened its consumer-facing businesses across key Asian markets.

“It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead Disney in Asia Pacific through a period of significant growth and transformation,” Kang said. 

“Together, we have strengthened our businesses, expanded the reach of Disney’s stories and brands, and built new ways to serve our fans across one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Carol is an exceptional leader whose deep knowledge of our businesses, creative ambition, and instinct for consumers make her uniquely positioned to build on this momentum and lead APAC into its next phase of growth.”

The leadership change comes as Disney looks to increase its investment in locally produced content across Asia Pacific, including Australia. 

Earlier this month, Variety Australia revealed that Disney+ had appointed former Amazon MGM Studios executive Sarah Christie as its new executive director of local content for Australia and New Zealand. Christie, who will begin in November, will oversee local commissioning, acquisitions and production. 

The appointment followed comments from Disney Entertainment’s executive vice president of international original television, Jon Wax, who outlined plans to increase local original spending in Australia as Disney+ works towards tripling its local-language output globally.

The regional reshuffle also comes amid broader changes at Disney, which announced another round of layoffs in September, affecting several hundred employees primarily across its human resources and technology divisions. The cuts formed part of ongoing cost-reduction measures under CEO Josh D’Amaro.

This story was first published on Variety.