[Exclusive] President-elect Yoon Chooses Korea International Trade Association as First Visit Among Economic Organizations (Comprehensive)

"A Gathering to Encourage Young Traders"

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a greeting at a luncheon meeting with the heads of six economic organizations held on the 21st at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Sun-mi and Jung Dong-hoon] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will visit the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) this week for the first time since his election. This is the first individual visit to an economic organization following a luncheon meeting with the heads of six economic organizations on the 21st. Choosing KITA as the first destination among economic organizations is interpreted as Yoon’s intention to drive forward job creation, which is his top national agenda.

According to political and business circles on the 29th, President-elect Yoon is scheduled to visit KITA later this week. He is expected to meet with students who have completed the Regional Specialized Youth Trade Expert Training Program (GTEP), jointly hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KITA, to encourage them. He will also have a separate meeting with Koo Ja-yeol, chairman of KITA, to listen to the difficulties faced by export-import companies and policy suggestions for support.

On the same day, spokesperson Kim Eun-hye explained in a regular briefing about the schedule, saying, "The economy is such an important issue," and added, "At the event to encourage young trade experts selected from 20 universities nationwide, he will show his commitment to youth jobs and support for small and medium-sized enterprises’ exports."

This is the first time President-elect Yoon has visited an individual economic organization since his election. During their transition periods, former President Park Geun-hye first visited the Korea Federation of SMEs, and former President Lee Myung-bak first visited the Federation of Korean Industries. Unlike the current administration, which has kept distance from the business community, Yoon, who made many pro-business and pro-market remarks during his candidacy, had the heads of the six economic organizations actively seeking separate meetings with him.

KITA becoming the first economic organization visited by President-elect Yoon aligns with his emphasis on ‘economic security.’

Yoon has pledged in his campaign to secure core raw materials and parts supply chains. This is understood as a lesson learned from the domestic economic ripple effects caused by supply chain disruptions such as Japan’s export restrictions and the urea solution crisis during the current administration. His related pledges focus on establishing a system for comprehensive inspection and countermeasures of global supply chains and building a response system for technology alliance strategies centered on major advanced countries. Listening to the difficulties and policy suggestions of export-import companies and proactively responding to the global supply chain crisis is Yoon’s message.

There is also an interpretation that this move places emphasis on youth and jobs.

GTEP is a program that nurtures young people, including university students from regional areas, as trade experts. It has been evaluated as effective in increasing exports of small and medium-sized enterprises and creating youth jobs.

During his candidacy, Yoon emphasized that solving youth job issues is essential for South Korea’s sustainable future. He stated, "The most urgent task in youth issues is solving the job problem," and pledged, "I will make solving the job problem the top national agenda of the next government." When meeting young trade experts, Yoon is expected to reiterate the importance of youth jobs and present a vision as an export-driven country.

Some interpret that Yoon’s choice to visit KITA first reflects an understanding of his previously planned but unfulfilled visit to the Trade Association during his candidacy. During the presidential campaign, Yoon visited the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Employers Federation, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Meanwhile, with President-elect Yoon’s visit to KITA starting this week, the possibility of individual visits to other economic organizations is open, and other organizations have begun preparations to hold separate meetings with him. Yoon emphasized communication repeatedly during the meeting with the heads of the six economic organizations on the 21st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.