The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA), led by Chairman Park Jong-beom, held the opening ceremony for the 30th Global Korean Business Conference and the 2026 Korea Business Expo in Shenzhen, China, on October 8. The event aims to help domestic companies expand their overseas markets and enhance cooperation between Korean and Chinese businesses.
Co-hosted by World-OKTA and the Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce, the conference was designed to connect Korean companies' products and technologies with Shenzhen's industrial base and the networks of Korean businesspeople operating worldwide. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, World-OKTA plans to leverage its network of 159 branches in 77 countries to support business collaboration and global market entry for companies from both nations.
The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures including Park Jong-beom, Chairman of World-OKTA; Lin Hui, Executive Chairman of the Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce; Kim Sung-won, Chairman of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Resources, and Small and Medium Enterprises Committee; lawmakers Baek Hye-ryun, Kang Seung-kyu, and Kwon Hyang-yeop; Noh Jae-heon, South Korea's Ambassador to China; Jang Je-hak, Consul General of South Korea in Guangzhou; Shin Yong-han, Governor of North Chungcheong Province; and Kang Kyung-sung, President of KOTRA. Representatives from Chinese economic organizations and businesses, as well as World-OKTA executives, branch leaders, members, and next-generation entrepreneurs, also participated.
Lin Hui noted that over 100 Chinese companies participated, highlighting the conference's potential to demonstrate trust and cooperation between the two countries' industries. Kim Sung-won encouraged World-OKTA members in their efforts to explore overseas markets and promised support from the National Assembly. Ambassador Noh expressed hope that the conference would lead to tangible outcomes for mutual economic development between Korea and China. Governor Shin introduced key industries in North Chungcheong Province, such as semiconductors, biotechnology, secondary batteries, and cosmetics, and urged World-OKTA members to collaborate in fostering global growth and attracting investment for local businesses.
The keynote address featured Tan Min, Chief Brand Officer of UBTECH, a Chinese artificial intelligence and robotics company, who discussed the expansion of humanoid robot production and commercialization. He presented opportunities in the robotics industry, including the use of commercial robots for guidance and customer service, as well as examples of market entry into South Korea.
Exhibitions and export consultations will take place from October 9 to 10. Participating companies will showcase their products and services while discussing distribution, export, and business collaboration with domestic and international buyers. The event will also explore ways for Korean companies to enter the Chinese market and for Chinese companies to access overseas markets through the World-OKTA network.
During the conference, the 3rd World-OKTA Global Startup Competition, a Korea-China investment cooperation exchange meeting, and a Korea-China young entrepreneurs exchange meeting will also be held. Startups and investors from both countries will share technologies and business ideas while seeking new collaboration partners.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Park Jong-beom emphasized the importance of turning meetings into actual transactions and ongoing business relationships, pledging to continue supporting market exploration and partner discovery for small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries based on World-OKTA's field experience and global network.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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