KOTRA Launches AI Committee to Drive $1 Trillion Export Goal and AI Leadership

SEOUL, south Korea – KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, has officially established the “KOTRA AI Committee” to spearhead its strategy for leveraging artificial intelligence to achieve a $1 trillion export target and bolster South Korea’s position as an AI powerhouse. The committee, chaired by KOTRA President kang Kyung-sung, will serve as the central command for AI-related projects and infrastructure within the organization.

The committee’s formation underscores KOTRA’s commitment to innovating its export support services through AI utilization. To enhance strategic expertise, the committee will include external specialists, namely Jang Byung-Tak from Seoul National University and Yoon Jong-young from Kookmin University.

KOTRA unveiled its “KOTRA AI Strategy Promotion” plan, outlining a vision to transform into an “AI Daejeon Conversion Institution of Korea Trade Investment.” This comprehensive strategy encompasses 11 detailed tasks organized under three core pillars: improving the AI utilization export support system, globalizing the national AI ecosystem, and expanding AI adoption within KOTRA.

key initiatives within the improved export support system include the introduction of an “AI Export Assistant.” This service will utilize generative AI to provide an interactive, integrated window capable of addressing companies’ unique questions and requests in real-time, thereby aiding in facts acquisition, decision-making, and marketing efforts. KOTRA also plans to expand AI-based digital trade infrastructure.

To foster the globalization of the national AI ecosystem, KOTRA will focus on strengthening support for overseas expansion of the AI industry, increasing exports in AI-related sectors, particularly through the K-grid initiative, and promoting global AI innovation flagship projects. Additionally, the agency will conduct global AI trend surveys, attract overseas AI companies, and recruit international AI talent. A specific focus will be placed on attracting overseas AI talent by integrating new AI industries into the support provided by the newly established “Overseas Talent attraction Center” and actively seeking out remarkable talent in the United States, Europe, and India.

Internally, KOTRA aims to cultivate an AI-oriented organizational culture by enhancing work processes through AI, introducing AI solutions within the organization, and improving AI literacy among its employees.

“The more opportunities for AI conversion are shaken, the more opportunities will be held,” stated Kang Kyung-sung. “KOTRA will accelerate the realization of the $1 trillion export and the three major AI powers by improving the AI export support system and globalization of the national AI ecosystem.”