Starlight Investments has expanded into the Asia-Pacific market with a senior hire and the opening of a new regional headquarters in Seoul.

The Toronto-based real estate investment and asset-management firm announced the appointment of Tae Kyoung (TK) Gong as vice-president of global markets for Asia and the Pacific. Based in Seoul, Gong will lead regional engagement with investors and partners and support the firm’s activities across key Asia-Pacific markets.

Gong brings 14 years of experience in investment management and advisory roles with KPMG and Mirae Asset Global Investments. He most recently served as head of the overseas real estate investment team at Mirae, where he led global acquisitions across North America, Europe and Asia and oversaw more than $1 billion in assets under management.

Starlight’s new Seoul office is located located in the IFC Seoul within the Yeouido Business District. The office will support regional relationship management, investment partnership activities and broader market development as the firm expands its international platform, said the company.

“We are excited to expand our presence in Asia–Pacific,” said Raj Mehta, Starlight’s president of global markets. “Korea and the broader region are home to many important investors and strategic partners. Opening our Seoul office reflects our momentum as a global company and our commitment to building long-term relationships that create value for our stakeholders.”

Starlight is a privately held owner, developer and asset manager overseeing about 70,000 multi-residential suites and 7 million square feet of commercial property space, with approximately $30 billion in assets under management.

Pictured: TK Gong, head of Starlight’s new Asia-Pacific business.

Photo: Courtesy of Starlight