LOS ANGELES Oct 20, 2026 – The Walt Disney Company has named Carol Choi as president of its Asia Pacific business, succeeding Luke Kang, who is retiring after 16 years with the company, Variety reported on Tuesday (Oct 20). Choi will take up the post on Dec 1.
Choi, who is currently executive vice-president of The Walt Disney Company APAC, will lead Disney Entertainment’s portfolio of businesses across the region in her new role. Her remit covers studios, Disney+, locally produced original content, content sales, media networks and consumer products, according to the company.
Her territory will stretch from Greater China, Japan and South Korea through South-east Asia to Australia and New Zealand, making her responsible for one of the media giant’s most diverse groups of markets.
“Luke Kang has been an exceptional leader and a driving force behind Disney’s growth and transformation across Asia Pacific,” said Alan Bergman, chair of Disney Entertainment, Studios, and Jimmy Pitaro, chair of ESPN, in a joint statement. “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.”
Choi has spent 20 years with Disney. In her current post, she has overseen the region’s studio operations, original content strategy and integrated marketing. She previously ran Disney’s Japan and Korea businesses as managing director and held senior leadership posts in Greater China. Variety reported that she played a part in bringing Disney+ to the region and growing the service, expanded the studio business and built lasting partnerships with leading creators and talent across Asia Pacific.
“I am honoured to take on this role and grateful to Luke for the strong foundation he has built,” Choi 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 joined Disney in 2011 as managing director of its Korea operation and later took charge of the company’s businesses in Greater China and North Asia, where he grew Disney’s presence through localisation, digital initiatives and closer engagement with consumers. He was named president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific in December 2020, when Disney split its regional leadership into separate heads for Asia Pacific and India following the departure of Uday Shankar, according to a company announcement at the time.
As APAC president, Kang oversaw growth across the region’s markets and brands, steered the roll-out of Disney+ and other new ventures, and invested in creative projects, including original content. Deadline reported that his tenure also saw the studio move into local-language content in several markets, including Korea and Japan.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead Disney in Asia Pacific through a period of significant growth and transformation,” Kang said. “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 was also announced by Disney’s Japan arm on Tuesday. The original Variety post can be viewed on X: https://x.com/Variety/status/2112492353004908626.
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