KITA.ORG

Introduction

Korea International Trade Association(KITA) is the largest business organization in Korea with over 73,000 member companies. It was founded in 1946 to bolster the Korean economy through global trade. We represent the rights and interests of Korea's business community and serve a diverse range of roles including: providing hands-on support to business, promoting private sector trade cooperation, formulating new trade strategies, nurturing trade professionals and building trade infrastructure.
With a widely established network of 13 domestic offices and 10 overseas branches in major cities, KITA has consolidated its position as a leading business organization dedicated to assisting SMEs in gaining overseas market entry, particularly contributing to Korea's recent achievement of 1 trillion dollars in trade volume.
Korea International Trade Association(KITA) is the largest business organization in Korea with over 73,000 member companies.
It was founded in 1946 to bolster the Korean economy through global trade. We represent the rights and interests of Korea's business community and serve a diverse range of roles including: providing hands-on support to business, promoting private sector trade cooperation, formulating new trade strategies, nurturing trade professionals and building trade infrastructure.

With a widely established network of 13 domestic offices and 10 overseas branches in major cities, KITA has consolidated its position as a leading business organization dedicated to assisting SMEs in gaining overseas market entry, particularly contributing to Korea's recent achievement of 1 trillion dollars in trade volume.
  • Establishment

    KITA was launched on July 31, 1946 by 105 pioneering traders. Since its inception, KITA laid a solid foundation for economic growth by setting policy directions on trade as well as developing the country's trade infrastructure.

  • Achievement

    KITA is a leading business organization that assists SMEs in gaining overseas market entry and has contributed to Korea's recent achievement of 1 trillion dollars in trade volume.

  • Our Goal

    KITA aims to contribute to Korea's economic growth as a private economic organization by advocating the Korean trade industry's rights and interests, thereby facilitating global trade.

  • Key Objectives

    • Propose policy suggestions to the government to protect the rights and interests of its member companies.
    • Explore new foreign markets and boost private sector trade.
    • Organize world-class exhibitions.
    • Nurture global trade professionals.
    • Conduct analysis & studies to enhance national competitiveness.
    • Establish e-trade infrastructure and expand user base.
  • Looking Ahead

    Since Korea's trade volume hit 1 billion dollars in 1967, the country has achieved remarkable economic growth over the past few decades, making it the 9th largest economy in the world in 2011 to attain a trillion-dollar trade volume. This accomplishment has brought a vast amount of new opportunities for Korea to raise its status in the global economic arena. To create a new paradigm fit for this new chapter in trade, KITA will make its utmost efforts to lay the groundwork for positioning Korea as an FTA hub, bolstering economic growth and strengthening support for the Korean trade industry.

Chairman & CEO’s Message

Jin Sik Yoon

Chairman & CEO

Welcome to KITA, a business organization to foster global trade of South Korea.

Founded in 1946, Korea International Trade Association (KITA) has been at the forefront
of facilitating economic growth through trade as a prominent business organization. Trade is critical to our prosperity and economic growth as it generates numerous job opportunities and contributes to improving people's lives. As such, with tireless work and activities, KITA opened up a new chapter in Korea's history: 1 trillion USD in trade volume, making it one of the 10th largest economies in the world.

KITA also has broadened business networks with more than 232 government and business organizations from 67 countries in order to strengthen our global business connections. Every year, we dispatch a business delegation abroad and organize various business activities such as business forums, exhibitions, and conferences.

Our mission is to promote global trade and advance global cooperation. Amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital transformation, we aim to create a business friendly environment for Korean companies and our partners abroad. In this website, you will discover diverse services we offer from B2B matchmaking services to K-mall, which showcases authentic Korea's quality goods to potential global customers.

To consolidate Korea as a global trade hub, KITA will remain committed to promoting the Korean business community and overseas trading partners through various channels.

I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude to our partners across the world, and I ask for your continued generous support.

Thank you!

Chairman & CEO

Jin Sik Yoon

History

Find out the history of Korea International Trade Association, a pioneer of global economic development with innovative vision.

  • 2020
    Jan
    Center for Trade Studies and Cooperation established
  • 2019
    Jun
    Startup Branch opened
  • 2018
    Mar
    UAE Center established
  • 2016
    Jul
    Announced “Future Trade Vision” & “KITA 2030 Vision” for KITA's 70th Anniversary
  • 2015
    Jun
    Jakarta Center established
  • 2014
    Jun
    Kmall24 service opened
    Jan
    New Delhi Center established
  • 2011
    Sep
    Ho Chi Minh Center established
    Apr
    Jeju Center established
  • 2010
    Nov
    Hosted G20 Seoul Summit
  • 2009
    Apr
    COEX Artium established
  • 2008
    Apr
    tradeKorea.com service opened
  • 2006
    Jul
    Announced “The New KITA Strategy” for KITA’s 60th anniversary
    Feb
    Singapore Center established
    Feb
    Washington Center established
  • 2005
    Feb
    Korea Paperless Trade Center established
    Feb
    Korea International Logistics Council established
  • 2002
    Jun
    Shanghai Center established
  • 2000
    Oct
    Hosted the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
    May
    Extension of World Trade Center Seoul completed
  • 1995
    Oct
    Gwangju Trade Tower opened
    Apr
    Gyeongnam Trade Tower opened
  • 1992
    Aug
    Beijing Center established
  • 1991
    Dec
    KTNet established
  • 1988
    Sep
    Construction of WTC Seoul completed
  • 1986
    Jun
    Busan Trade Tower established
  • 1984
    May
    Brussels Center established
    Feb
    World Trade Academy opened
  • 1978
    Aug
    COEX established
  • 1974
    Aug
    New York Hankook Center (U.S.A) Inc. founded
  • 1972
    Jan
    Joined WTCA (World Trade Center Association)
  • 1967
    Jan
    New York Center established
  • 1948
    Apr
    Tokyo Center established
  • 1946
    Jul
    KITA founded

Video Clip

A trustworthy partner in creating a better future.

WTC Seoul

Development of an integrated trade, cultural & business center.

KITA aims to foster World Trade Center Seoul(WTCS) into a global hub for business and the MICE industry. WTCS is located in the heart of Seoul, offering convenient access to various business, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. With COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground mall, WTCS offers office space for global trading firms and features world-class facilities for domestic and international exhibitions as well as conventions.
KITA aims to foster World Trade Center Seoul(WTCS) into a global hub for business and the MICE industry. WTCS is located in the heart of Seoul, offering convenient access to various business, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. With COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground mall, WTCS offers office space for global trading firms and features world-class facilities for domestic and international exhibitions as well as conventions.
  • Convention & Exhibition

    • COEX Convention Facilities
    • COEX Exhibition Halls
  • Office Space

    • Trade Tower
    • ASEM Tower
    • City Air Tower
    • Parnas Tower
    • Startup Branch
  • Accommodation

    • Grand International Seoul Parnas
    • Intercontinental Seoul COEX
    • Oakwood Premier COEX Center
  • Transportaion

    • CALT (The fastest and most comfortable service to the Airport)
  • Shopping

    • Starfield COEX Mall
    • Parnas Mall
    • Hyundai Department Store
  • Leisure

    • COEX Aquarium
    • Megabox Movie Theater
    • Seven Luck Casino
    • COEX Artium
The WTC Seoul, owned and operated by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), joined the World Trade Centers Association(WTCA) in 1972 to be the premier business center globally, managing global information networks to facilitate business transactions and provide useful trade information.
The WTC Seoul is a 605,221-square-meter facility that includes 55-floor and 41-floor trade towers, an exhibition and convention facility, two deluxe hotels, a city air terminal, a shopping mall and entertainment center. It also served as the venue for the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in the year 2000, G-20 Seoul Summit in 2010 and Nuclear Security Summit in 2012. With four subterranean levels and four floors, COEX (Convention & Exhibition Center), a subsidiary of KITA, offers a space equipped with state-of-the-art communications facilities and advanced systems to accommodate major events ranging from large-scale international conferences to the latest high-tech exhibitions.
  • Address
    Trade Tower, 511 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06164 Republic of Korea
  • Telephone
    (+82 2) 1566-5114
  • Website