KOTRA, First Female Executive Director in 63-Year History Appointed

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has appointed its first female executive director in its 63 years since establishment.

KOTRA announced on the 30th that it plans to appoint Kim Myung-hee, head of the Africa Regional Headquarters, as the head of the Innovation Growth Headquarters (executive director) on the 31st.

Kim, who joined in 1995, utilized her French major to work in key European locations such as Brussels and Paris, and most recently served as an Africa region expert through postings at trade offices in Algiers, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. She holds a Ph.D. in Middle East and African Studies and is recognized both inside and outside the agency as an expert on the African market.

KOTRA plans to appoint Kim Myung-hee, Head of the Africa Regional Headquarters, as the first female Executive Director (Head of the Innovation Growth Headquarters) since the organization's establishment on the 31st. Kim Myung-hee, Head of KOTRA's Innovation Growth Headquarters, is delivering the opening address at the '2024 Korea-Kenya Partnership Plus Week.' Photo by KOTRA.

Known for her strong leadership and high trust within the organization, she is expected to lead the Innovation Growth Headquarters, overseeing overseas marketing in promising export sectors such as global supply chain stabilization, energy infrastructure, ICT, biomedicine, and consumer goods.

Since his inauguration in November last year, President Kang Kyung-sung has appointed a female head of talent management for the first time and has proactively placed female executives in key positions such as general affairs team leader and organizational network support team leader. President Kang stated, "We will continue efforts to expand opportunities for female talent in the public sector."

In the same personnel announcement, Lee Hee-sang, head of the Southeast Asia Regional Headquarters, was appointed as vice president and head of the Management Support Headquarters, and Kang Sang-yeop, head of the Washington D.C. trade office, was appointed as head of the Small and Medium Enterprises Headquarters (executive director).

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