In another hiring move certain to fuel speculation, NFC Times reports that MasterCard has hired Mung-Ki Woo to run its mobile payment and m-commerce business. Woo will be reporting into the head of MasterCard's emerging payments group. 

If true, the move would be a clear indication that MasterCard is ramping up its NFC efforts. Woo was vice president of electronic payments and transactions at French telecom giant Orange. While at Orange, Woo was involved in the development of several mobile payment trials including the Cityzi program in Nice, France.

According to NFC Times, neither MasterCard nor Orange would comment on Woo’s employment status.