The Republic of Korea's exports have surpassed $700 billion and are on track to reach $1 trillion. However, achieving the next leap cannot rely solely on the semiconductor boom.
KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung has introduced a strategy called 'Everyone's Export,' which utilizes AI to identify markets, connect with buyers, and help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enter the global market. AI is changing the way and the entities involved in Korean exports.
Surpassing $700 billion towards '$1 Trillion in Korean Exports'
South Korea's economic growth story is rooted in its export history. Exports, which were just $100 million in 1964, have now exceeded $700 billion in over 60 years. When Kang took office in November 2024, he set the goals of becoming one of the 'Top 5 Global Exporters' and preparing for the 'Era of $1 Trillion in Exports.'
Now, the focus is not just on increasing export volume but on transforming the export structure.
Korean exports are heavily dependent on semiconductors and specific markets like the U.S. and China. A downturn in the semiconductor market or sudden changes in the global trade environment could significantly impact overall exports.
This is why Kang emphasizes 'robust diversification.' The strategy involves expanding markets to ASEAN, India, and Latin America, while diversifying products from semiconductors to biohealth, consumer goods, defense, and power equipment.
Another key aspect is increasing the number of exporting companies.
AI Lowers Barriers for Small Manufacturers
Large corporations have overseas sales teams and local subsidiaries, but small manufacturers and startups in regional areas face different challenges. Even with high-quality products, they often struggle to identify potential markets, meet buyers, and navigate certifications and regulations.
Kang plans to bridge this information and manpower gap using AI.
When companies input product information, AI analyzes overseas markets and competing products, identifies promising markets, and filters potential buyers. It also provides information on local certifications and regulations.
AI is lowering the entry barriers for exports that previously favored companies with specialized personnel and overseas networks.
This goes beyond mere efficiency; it democratizes exports.
Local SMEs without export experience can now challenge the global market by leveraging AI and KOTRA's overseas network.
This is what Kang refers to as 'Everyone's Export.'
'AI Export Assistant' to Work Independently
At the center of this initiative is KOTRA's 'AI Export Assistant.'
Kang stated, “Once users set their goals, an autonomous agent will handle market research, buyer contact, document preparation, and scheduling, reporting only the results.”
For instance, if a company representative says, “I want to export this product to Germany,” the AI will research market size and competing products, identify potential buyers, check necessary certifications and regulations, and prepare consultation materials and documents. In the future, the AI agent could also manage buyer contacts, scheduling, and follow-ups.
This marks a shift from 'answering AI' to 'working AI.'
This represents a significant change for SMEs that lack export specialists. While it has been challenging for each company to have market researchers and export experts, AI agents can supplement much of that role.
Transforming SMEs into Exporters Nationwide
KOTRA does not view AI as a technology exclusive to large corporations or those in the capital region.
It is utilizing 20 AI Trade Support Centers across the country as export hubs for local businesses and youth. Through the 'Export Hope 1000 Project,' KOTRA supports the overseas expansion of small local businesses, and through 'K-Export Star 500,' it nurtures promising SMEs into key export players.
AI assists in market research and buyer discovery, while KOTRA's global network connects companies on the ground.
If this model spreads, the structure of Korean exports could change. The focus could shift from large corporations in Seoul to regional SMEs, and from manufacturing to K-food, K-beauty, bio, content, and AI companies.
The true significance of achieving $1 trillion in exports lies here. It is more important to create a structure where companies from all over Korea participate in the global market than to simply increase exports from a few large corporations.
Exporting with AI and Exporting AI Itself
There is another critical aspect of Kang's strategy to highlight.
It is not enough to simply export existing products effectively using AI. South Korea must also develop its AI technology as a new export industry.
Kang is particularly focused on M.AX (Manufacturing AI Transformation).
South Korea has a world-class manufacturing base in semiconductors, automobiles, batteries, and shipbuilding. Numerous factories and production facilities generate actual industrial data, and there is a wealth of accumulated technology in robotics and smart factories.
While the U.S. and China lead in the competition for large generative AI platforms, South Korea has the potential to compete in manufacturing AI and physical AI.
Combining AI with the world’s best manufacturing capabilities is key.
KOTRA hosted the '2026 Physical AI Superconnect' in Silicon Valley last June, connecting Korean AI companies with local U.S. businesses and investors.
Just as South Korea exported automobiles and semiconductors, it can now offer factory operation technologies, robotics, smart factories, and manufacturing AI to the global market.
Exporting with AI and exporting AI itself.
KOTRA Will Also Transform into an AX Organization
As KOTRA calls on companies to undergo AI transformation, it cannot continue operating in the same way.
Kang emphasizes that the most challenging issues in the AI transformation process are 'data and organizational culture,' rather than the technology itself.
For AI to function effectively, KOTRA must convert the market information, buyer, company, and trade data it has accumulated over decades into a format usable by AI. The way employees work must also change.
This is why KOTRA is establishing internal systems for AI initiatives and expanding AI utilization in the field.
Ultimately, the essence of AX is not just to implement AI programs but to change how the organization operates.
Yet, the final contract is still signed by a person.
No matter how advanced AI becomes, the essence of exports will not disappear.
Kang states, “Even if data analysis and execution are handled by AI, building trust and final negotiations ultimately depend on human will.”
AI can analyze markets, find buyers, prepare documents, and coordinate schedules.
However, at the final moment of deciding contracts worth millions or hundreds of millions, people must ultimately trust one another.
Thus, the future KOTRA that Kang envisions is not an organization devoid of human involvement.
It is an institution that supports, connects, and generates results in the field with the help of AI.
If AI takes on research, analysis, and repetitive tasks, humans can spend more time building relationships, negotiating, and establishing trust.
AI-Driven Korean Exports Aiming for $1 Trillion
For South Korea to enter the era of $1 trillion in exports, it cannot rely solely on a few semiconductor products and the strength of a few large corporations.
More companies need to export. More regions must connect with the global market. The export markets and products must also diversify. Additionally, the AI industry itself must grow as a new export driver.
AI is the connecting link for all these changes.
AI finds markets. AI analyzes buyers. AI assists with export tasks. KOTRA's global network connects companies and people. The final negotiations and trust are completed by humans.
If South Korea combines its manufacturing strength with AI, new export industries can emerge.
Enhancing the productivity of existing exports through AI, turning more companies into exporters via AI, and ultimately exporting South Korea's AI technology to the world.
This is the vision of 'Korean Exports at $1 Trillion' that Kang Kyung-sung is painting.
If exports were the force that brought South Korea into the global arena during the industrialization era, exports in the AI era could once again reshape the map of the South Korean economy.
The true challenge of the $1 trillion export era is not just the numbers. It is connecting all of South Korea to the global market through AI.
Kang Kyung-sung, KOTRA President:
Kang entered public service and gained experience in the fields of industry, energy, and trade. He has held key positions in the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, serving as the first and second vice ministers of the Ministry of Industry. He became KOTRA President in November 2024.
He is pursuing export diversification, AI trade support, and the globalization of manufacturing AI transformation (M.AX) with the goals of becoming one of the 'Top 5 Global Exporters' and preparing for the 'Era of $1 Trillion in Exports.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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