Yoon Young-mi, President of Korea Importers Association, "Exports are National Defense, Imports are Patriotism... Will Emphasize Balanced Trade"

Yoon Young-mi Inaugurated as 23rd President of Korea Importers Association
"Imports Must Be Used as a Card Against Trump's Tariff Pressure"

Yoon Young-mi, the 23rd president of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), expressed her ambition to "focus all efforts to ensure that the domestic export-centered policy attention is balanced with imports."

Yoon Young-mi, the 23rd President of the Korea Importers Association. Provided by the Korea Importers Association

On the 31st, President Yoon stated at the inauguration and vision declaration ceremony held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, "So far, imports in our country have remained a supplementary means to export policies," adding, "To cope with tariff pressures and trade frictions from the Trump administration in the United States, we must actively utilize the useful card called 'imports'."

The event was attended by National Assembly members including Na Kyung-won and Park Sung-min from the People Power Party, Heo Seong-moo from the Democratic Party, as well as key figures from government-related organizations such as Park Jeong-seong, Director General of Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Choi Jin-sik, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises. Additionally, ambassadors and commercial attach?s from over 70 countries including the EU, New Zealand, and Croatia attended to convey their congratulations.

Assemblywoman Na said, "I want to compare President Yoon's leadership to the 'motherly leadership' that did not let her children go hungry even in hungry times," and added, "I believe that through dedicated and sacrificial leadership, she will elevate not only herself but also the association." She further stated, "Despite the difficulties caused by trade frictions with the Trump administration, we will actively collaborate with the Korea Importers Association."

In her inaugural speech, President Yoon presented the association's new slogan: "Export is patriotism, import is also patriotism." She emphasized, "Our country has achieved trade surpluses and economic growth through export expansion, but importing excellent raw materials is essential to strengthening the competitiveness of our manufacturing industry," and added, "Exports and imports must be balanced to respond to the new trade environment."

She also outlined a blueprint to highlight a 'balanced trade' strategy where exports and imports are in equilibrium. President Yoon plans to involve the association's import delegation in trade negotiation teams for trade diplomacy to lead the resolution of trade disputes and express the will to expand trade through import efforts with various countries. Furthermore, she intends to contribute to trade diplomacy as a private diplomatic envoy by dispatching large-scale import delegations to major overseas exhibitions.

Moreover, she announced plans to strengthen the functions of the Korea Importers Association, the only domestic import-specialized economic organization, as a 'one-stop solution center' and 'one-stop network center' that resolve all import-related issues at once. As part of this, the one-stop solution center will support overseas companies and foreign diplomatic economic organizations in Korea to successfully settle in the Korean market and enhance cooperation with the government and related agencies to solve import difficulties faced by member companies. It will also operate a trouble-shooting center covering tax, legal affairs, accounting, including support measures for import financing.

As a one-stop network center, the association plans to expand communication channels with domestic companies, local governments, universities, economic organizations, overseas companies, foreign government agencies, and trade-related organizations to build a close cooperative network, support the business performance of member companies, and strive to widely promote the value of imports.

The Korea Importers Association is a non-profit corporation under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, established in November 1970 with approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It has contributed to national economic development and the improvement of public welfare by ensuring the smooth supply of essential raw materials and parts for domestic industries and the introduction of various consumer goods necessary for the public.

President Yoon previously served as the 21st and 22nd vice president of the Korea Importers Association and has been active in trade and economic fields as vice president of the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises, director of the Korea International Trade Association for the 31st and 32nd terms, and vice president of the Korea Trade and Commerce Society. She is also known for founding Highland Food Group in 1999 and growing it over 25 years into the leading company in the domestic meat import market with sales of 1.15 trillion won.