Global Economic Times

Global Korean Business Leaders Gather in Seoul… World OKTA to Hold ‘Export Exhibition’ with 1,200 Buyers: Global Economic Times Reporter / Updated : 2026-03-04 14:40:36

The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (Chairman Park Jong-bum, hereinafter referred to as World OKTA) will hold a large-scale global economic event in Gangseo, Seoul, in celebration of its 45th anniversary.

World OKTA announced that it will host the “27th World Representative Conference & Export Consultation” and “2026 KOREA BUSINESS EXPO GANGSEO” from March 30 to April 2 at COEX Magok in Seoul.

The event is a global economic networking gathering that brings together representatives and member entrepreneurs from World OKTA chapters in 154 cities across 75 countries, as well as overseas buyers, domestic companies, and officials from related organizations. It aims to serve as a "global economic hub," operating as an integrated platform covering policy, economy, culture, and future industries.

In particular, the “2026 KOREA BUSINESS EXPO GANGSEO” exhibition and export consultation, held from March 31 to April 1, will feature approximately 300 participating companies. A total of 1,200 buyers—including 200 overseas local buyers and 1,000 member buyers—will participate in large-scale B2B export consultations. This is expected to facilitate the opening of overseas markets for domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the establishment of sustainable global trade networks.

Additionally, the event will focus on operating global startup competitions, lectures on new industries including Artificial Intelligence (AI), next-generation network forums, and global employment support programs. The strategy is to proactively respond to the rapidly changing global industrial environment by connecting the field experience of overseas Korean entrepreneurs with the innovative capabilities of the next generation to establish a foundation for expansion into future industries.

On the opening day, March 30, the 45th-anniversary opening ceremony and a welcoming dinner will be held. During the conference, the “100-Year Grand Plan Vision Proclamation Ceremony” will officially announce the mid-to-long-term vision and policy directions for the next 100 years. This is evaluated as an occasion for World OKTA to publicly declare its intention to leap beyond a simple exchange organization and become a strategic partner for the Republic of Korea’s economy.

Furthermore, the “OKTA 45th Anniversary OK Live K-POP Concert” will take place on April 1, with cultural programs such as art fairs and book concerts beginning on March 31. This open platform model, which combines economic events with cultural content, is expected to enhance the connection with the local community.

Chairman Park Jong-bum stated, “This World Representative Conference goes beyond a simple annual event; it is a venue to demonstrate that the global Korean economic network is a practical platform connecting the Korean economy with the global market. Starting with our 45th anniversary, we will officially begin our leap toward becoming a global economic platform.”

Meanwhile, World OKTA was established in 1981 by overseas Korean traders with the aim of contributing to the national economy by increasing the exports of mother country enterprises. It has carried out various projects such as the "Buy Korean Products" campaign, supporting SMEs' entry into overseas markets, nurturing next-generation traders, and supporting global employment for Korean youth. Currently, it has established itself as the largest overseas Korean economic organization, consisting of 7,000 CEOs and 26,000 next-generation economic leaders.