The Korea International Trade Association is strengthening its organization and personnel in the Americas region and will establish a new economic cooperation committee with state governments. It will also set up new offices in Vietnam, Brazil, and South Africa, and expand overseas networking.

The association noted on 18th that it has implemented organizational restructuring and executive appointments that include these contents. The focus is on preparing for changes in the trade environment following the second inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump and strengthening the trade industry's trade capabilities.

(From left) New Director Jang Sang-sik of the International Trade and Commerce Research Institute, Secretary-General Jeong Hee-cheol of the Trade Academy, and Head of Asset Management Go Beom-seo. /Courtesy of Korea International Trade Association

The association plans to enhance private-sector outreach activities to the U.S. by strengthening its organization and personnel in the Americas regional headquarters. It has also established an economic cooperation committee with State Governments, which is expected to serve as a channel representing the interests and concerns of domestic corporations invested locally.

The association plans to expand its overseas bases by establishing new offices in Vietnam (Hanoi), Brazil (São Paulo), and South Africa (Johannesburg). It has also created a sustainability support office to respond to new trade issues such as the environment and labor, and a convention planning office to foster the next-generation exhibition industry.

Yoon Jin-sik, the chairman of the association, said, “This organizational restructuring is not merely a rearrangement but aims to build a support system for responding to export risks and expanding markets,” adding, “We will do our best to respond flexibly to the changing internal and external environments and create new opportunities.”

The association appointed Jang Seok-min, head of the management support division, as the new executive director and named two new managing directors. Jang has served as the Eurasia Division head, New York branch head, International Cooperation Division head, and head of the management division since joining the association in 1992.

Jang Sang-sik, head of the trend analysis division, has been appointed as the new director of the International Trade and Commerce Research Institute, Jeong Hee-cheol, head of the Americas division, has been appointed as the secretary general of the Trade Academy, and Go Beom-seo, head of the audit division, has been appointed as the asset management division head.