New Korea Eximbank President Emphasizes Promotion of Strategic Industries in Inaugural Address

Hwang Ki-yeon, the 23rd president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, delivers his inaugural address at the auditorium of the bank's Yeouido headquarters in Seoul on Nov. 6. (Photos: Korea Eximbank)

“The Export-Import Bank of Korea should evolve beyond a simple export finance institution into a strategic investor leading future industries, a front-line supporter in overcoming Korea’s trade crises and a facilitator of global cooperation,” said Hwang Ki-yeon, the new president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) in his inaugural address on Nov. 6.

“The Korean economy is currently facing very critical conditions amidst US tariff policies, US-China high-tech competition, and a restructuring of global supply chains. The reason for the existence of Korea Eximbank’s policy financing becomes even clearer in these times,” Hwang added.

President Hwang came up with four core strategies for Korea Eximbank, which should lay a foundation for the future of the Korean economy.

Firstly, Hwang urged KEXIM to focus its capabilities on preemptively fostering strategic industries that will drive Korea’s future growth.

“Korea Eximbank will support the development of core technologies in future growth sectors, particularly AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and the defense industry,” Hwang emphasized.

“We will actively utilize the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund to support production of key materials, components, and equipment in Korea.”

Hwang then announced his commitment to financing shared growth.

“Support for Korean exporters will be Korea Eximbank’s top policy priority,” Hwang said.

“Korea Eximbank has to serve as a strong shield to help Korea’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), facing tariff barriers and exchange rate fluctuations, not only survive but sharpen their global competitiveness.”

Hwang also declared that Korea Eximbank will actively utilize all available financial instruments to strengthen cooperation with the Global South.

“Korea Eximbank must serve as a strategic partner that supports the growth of developing countries while simultaneously leading Korea’s trade and export diversification,” Hwang said. “We will utilize the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) as strategic leverage.”

Finally, Hwang asked employees to turn Korea Eximbank into a proactive, field-oriented policy financing institution.

“Policy finance is truly effective when it interacts with customers in the field,” Hwang explained “We must become a field-oriented partner who listens to the voices of businesses and quickly provides financial solutions optimized for their needs.”

“Korea Eximbank will actively pursue digital transformation using AI to upgrade our work environment to boost Korea Eximbank’s competitiveness,” Hwang said.

Hwang also pledged flexible and performance-based management and communications and mutual growth with the labor union.

On Dec. 3, President Hwang visited Wonik IPS, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer located in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, as his first visit to a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) since taking office.

Wonik IPS manufactures core semiconductor microfabrication equipment including plasma enhanced-chemical vapour deposition (PE-CVD) equipment, atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment, diffusion furnaces, and dry etching equipment through a custom-production system.

The visit was in line with the Korean government’s vision of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powerhouses and demonstrates President Hwang’s commitment to strengthening the global competitiveness of Korea’s materials, parts and equipment companies.

This year, Korea Eximbank is providing over 8 trillion won in support for Korea’s advanced strategic industries, such as semiconductors and batteries.

Through the Advanced Strategic Industry Support Program, the bank offers preferential terms on loan limits and interest rates.

The Korea Eximbank plans to expand its scale to over 8.5 trillion won in 2026, an increase of 500 billion won from this year.

In addition, Korea Eximbank announced that it has launched the Special Committee for AI Industry Promotion with its top management to explore practical measures to foster and support the Korean AI industry.

The Special Committee will actively support the government’s plan to foster AI ecosystems by developing strategic financial support measures, including significant financial incentives for the AI industry, expanded investment in startups, and AI transition consulting for small and medium-sized enterprises.

“With AI emerging as a core future industry, this will be our first step in exploring the roles of policy finance institutions in AI and semiconductor industry ecosystems,” Hwang stressed.