New KITA Chairman
Kim In-ho, incoming chairman of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), spoke at his inaugural address on Feb. 26 and said, “Based on a deep understanding of the market and the companies, I will try harder to communicate with member companies.”
He addressed the assembled staff members by saying, “As I have run a private research institute for a decade, I have taken the responsibility for employees’ lives and have also adapted the market. With a modest attitude, I will listen attentively to your opinions.”
Kim added, “Even though we are facing the crisis, this is the time for us, the traders who made Korea a trading nation at any cost, to make a leap once again. Also, this is the time we can make it.”
He cited the remark of Konosuke Matsushita, who is known as the “god of management” in Japan, “Boom is welcome. Recession is more welcome.”
Kim also said, “In order to help small and medium enterprises expand overseas and globalize, I will come up with various support measures. I will seek out an export expansion plan using new trading methods, including e-commerce, merchandising, and processing trades.”
Kim began his career in 1967 as a government official at the then-called Economic Planning Board (currently the Ministry of Strategy and Finance), and served in major policymaking posts until 1997, including the positions of General Director for Price Policies, General Director for the Economic Planning Division, and Assistant Minister. He served as a senior presidential secretary for economic affairs during the Kim Young-sam administration in 1997.