Chairman Yoon Jinsik: "Leading the Establishment of an Export Ecosystem for New Markets and New Industries"
Five Part-Time Vice Chairmen Appointed, Including SK Hynix President Yeom Sungjin
To mark its 80th anniversary, the Korea International Trade Association is establishing a private think tank in Washington, D.C. to strengthen its trade capabilities with the United States. The association also plans to newly appoint five part-time vice chairmen to enhance its responsiveness to emerging industries.
On the 25th, the Korea International Trade Association held its "2026 Annual General Meeting" at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and reported key agenda items including last year's business performance and settlement of accounts, as well as this year's business plan and budget. Around 600 representatives from member companies attended the meeting.
Yoon Jinsik, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, delivers the opening address at the Korea International Trade Association's 2026 annual general meeting held on the 25th at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Korea International Trade Association
Yoon Jinsik, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, said, "Last year, our exports surpassed 700 billion dollars for the first time in history, setting a historic milestone," adding, "To support member companies in pioneering overseas markets, the Korea International Trade Association strengthened its outreach activities targeting major countries such as the United States and the European Union, and expanded its global network by increasing the number of overseas branches and offices."
Chairman Yoon emphasized, "This year is a meaningful year as it marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Korea International Trade Association," and added, "With the goal of 'leading the establishment of an export ecosystem for new markets and new industries that will open the next 80 years of Korean trade,' we will proactively identify the rapidly changing global environment and significantly strengthen support for our member companies."
To realize this, the association presented five key strategies: strengthening support for pioneering new markets, building an export ecosystem for new industries, enhancing global trade response capabilities, resolving corporate difficulties and building a growth ladder, and enhancing public value in commemoration of the 80th anniversary and improving the Trade Center infrastructure.
In the first half of this year, the Korea International Trade Association plans to establish the Korea-U.S. Industrial Development Forum, a private think tank, in Washington, D.C. Through this, it intends to operate communication channels with policymakers and opinion leaders in the United States and strengthen private-sector trade response capabilities.
In terms of new market development, the association will further strengthen support for consumer goods exports that combine K-culture, including efforts to tap into the halal market. It will build an artificial intelligence (AI)-based export infrastructure to improve the efficiency of member companies' trade work and will continue to expand the export base of strategic industries such as green and bio sectors.
At the general meeting, the Korea International Trade Association approved the agenda item for the new appointment of five part-time vice chairmen. The newly appointed vice chairmen are Yeom Sungjin, President of SK Hynix; Jung Insu, Chairman of Dongin Giyeon; Song Byoungjun, Chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association; Cho Joonhee, Chairman of the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association; and Han Manhee, Chairman of the International Contractors Association of Korea.
Chairman Yoon said, "By expanding the participation of associations and organizations in new industries and of representative companies in strategic industrial sectors, we expect to further strengthen our ability to represent industry interests and respond externally."
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