Martial Arts, Organizational Restructuring & Executive Appointments... "New US State Government Cooperation Committee Established"

"Responding to Export Uncertainty... Establishing New Offices in Vietnam, Brazil, and South Africa"

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced on the 18th that it has carried out an organizational restructuring and executive appointments to proactively respond to the recently increased export uncertainties. The organization and personnel of the Americas regional headquarters have been reinforced, and a new State Government Economic Cooperation Committee will be established. New offices will be set up in key countries of the 'Global South' such as Vietnam, Brazil, and South Africa to expand overseas networking.

Jang Seok-min, newly appointed Executive Director of the Korea Martial Arts Association. Provided by the Korea Martial Arts Association.

On the same day, KITA held a board meeting at the Trade Tower in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where it approved the business plan and budget for the next year. Through the board meeting, KITA finalized the organizational operation system to smoothly carry out key projects next year, including export risk response and overseas market expansion. Executive appointments focused on professional capabilities to support the competitiveness of export companies were made.

KITA stated, "This organizational restructuring and executive appointments focus on preparing for changes in the trade environment following the inauguration of the second Trump administration in the U.S. and strengthening the trade capabilities of the trade industry."

First, to respond to changes in the trade environment originating from the U.S., the organization and personnel of the Americas regional headquarters were reinforced. Private-sector outreach activities to the U.S. will be significantly strengthened. A new State Government Economic Cooperation Committee will be established to represent the interests of local investment and entry companies.

A Sustainability Growth Support Office has been newly established to provide information and consulting services related to new trade issues such as environment and labor. Under the existing New Trade Strategy Office, a dedicated research team called the 'Green and Supply Chain Part' has been formed to prepare countermeasures for new trade agendas.

Overseas bases will be increased. New offices are planned to be established in Hanoi (Vietnam), S?o Paulo (Brazil), and Johannesburg (South Africa).

Promising markets with high corporate entry demand will be designated as 'KITA Posts' to provide export marketing support and market information services.

Additionally, a 'MICE Planning Office' for fostering the next-generation exhibition industry and an 'Asset Management Headquarters' to improve the efficiency of asset operation and investment management of KITA, including the Korea Trade Center, have been newly established.

Jang Sang-sik, the new president of the Korea Institute for International Trade and Commerce. Photo by Korea International Trade Association

Executive appointments effective from January 1 next year have also been made. Jang Seok-min, Head of the Management Support Headquarters, was appointed as the new Executive Director, and two new Senior Managers were appointed. Jang Seok-min joined the association in 1992 and has served as Head of the Eurasia Office, New York Branch Manager, Head of the International Cooperation Office, and Head of the Management Headquarters.

Jang Sang-sik, Head of the Trend Analysis Office, was appointed as the new Director of the International Trade and Commerce Research Institute; Jeong Hee-cheol, Head of the Americas Office, as Secretary General of the Trade Academy; and Go Beom-seo, Head of the Audit Office, as Head of the Asset Management Headquarters.

Yoon Jin-sik, Chairman of KITA, emphasized, "This organizational restructuring is not just a simple reallocation of the organization but focuses on establishing a support system for export risk response and market expansion. We will do our best to help the trade industry flexibly respond to the changing domestic and international environment and create new opportunities."

Below is the list of executives promoted or transferred effective January 1 next year.

▲ Jang Seok-min (former Head of Management Support Headquarters)

▲ Kim Ki-hyun, Head of International Cooperation Headquarters ▲ Lee Myung-ja, Head of Overseas Marketing Headquarters

▲ Jang Sang-sik, Director of International Trade and Commerce Research Institute ▲ Jeong Hee-cheol, Secretary General of Trade Academy

▲ Go Beom-seo, Head of Asset Management Headquarters

▲ Park Sung-hwan, Head of Management Support Headquarters ▲ Jeong Hee-cheol, Head of Trade Promotion Headquarters