'Former Trade Chairmen' Praised by President Moon: "Chairmen's Achievements Added Up to Today's Great Record"

Pre-Meeting for the 58th Trade Day Ceremony... "Joint Entrance of President Moon and Trade Chairmen Signifies Gratitude and Respect"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "(The achievements during the tenure of the past Korea International Trade Association presidents have accumulated to set today's great record.)"

President Moon Jae-in said this on the 6th during a pre-discussion meeting with former and current trade association presidents at the 58th Trade Day commemorative ceremony. President Moon praised the efforts of the trade association presidents, saying, "Our country is setting new records this year with the fastest achievement of $1 trillion in trade, the highest trade volume ever, and the highest export volume ever."

Park Kyung-mi, Blue House spokesperson, explained in a written briefing that "President Moon held a pre-discussion meeting with former and current Korea International Trade Association presidents for the first time on Trade Day. The meeting included former trade association presidents Kim Jae-cheol, Lee Hee-beom, Sa Gong-il, Han Duck-soo, Kim Young-joo, and current president Koo Ja-yeol."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon evaluated, "Our country used to have high competitiveness in the mid-to-low price product market, but now we have high competitiveness in the top high-tech fields and high-priced product markets, and the trade items and target countries are diversifying."

Former and current trade association presidents shared their reflections on Korea's trade achievements and views for development. Former president Han Duck-soo said, "Trade is a measure that represents everything a country has, and in our case, it is the result of the excellence of companies, engineers, workers, and government policies combined," adding, "It is a great achievement that our country has shown continuous trade surpluses except during the 2008 global financial crisis since 1998."

Former president Sa Gong-il mentioned that the ‘Export Day’ established in 1964 was changed to ‘Trade Day’ in 1990 to include imports as well, saying, "Korea should demonstrate global leadership as a country that has succeeded through trade."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Koo Ja-yeol predicted, "Trade growth will continue next year due to the influence of new industries and small and medium venture companies, as well as semiconductors and automobiles."

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook emphasized the significance of the diversification of Korea's trade partners beyond China, the United States, and Japan to include New Southern countries.

Meanwhile, spokesperson Park explained, "After the pre-discussion meeting, President Moon entered the commemorative ceremony accompanied by former and current trade association presidents, which symbolizes gratitude and respect for the efforts of trade professionals who worked together to achieve the best trade results despite the COVID-19 crisis."