Martial Arts, Han Deok-su Prime Minister Nominee Called "FTA Evangelist... Struggling Hard with High Understanding of Korean Companies"

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is answering reporters' questions after announcing the nomination of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as the new Prime Minister at the Presidential Transition Committee press conference held in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Regarding the nomination of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as the first Prime Minister candidate of the new government on the 3rd, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) expressed its welcome, stating that he is "the best candidate to address the new government's urgent tasks of protecting national interests and economic growth in a rapidly changing trade environment."

In a statement released that day, the association said, "Nominee Han, who previously served as ambassador to the United States, possesses extensive experience in economic and trade fields as well as a broad global network," adding that Han served as the last Prime Minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration and later served as the chairman of KITA during the Lee Myung-bak administration.

The association praised, "During his tenure as KITA chairman, Han actively promoted the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ratification by traveling extensively across the United States and acting as an advocate for the Korea-US FTA to key officials in various states."

It continued, "As he understands well the reality of Korean companies struggling in an environment of infinite competition caused by global supply chain crises and trade conflicts, we expect that he will actively support the trade industry in the future."