The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) representing traders and exporters will send an economic delegation to the United States on June 6 for a five-day trip to advocate for Korean corporate interests amid protectionist policy and toughened trade barriers in the world’s largest market under President Donald Trump.

According to an official from the KITA on Monday, a delegation consisting of private companies will visit Washington from June 6 to 10 to discuss ways to reinforce business ties between the two countries with officials in the U.S. Administration and Congress. It will be the first Korean economic mission to the U.S. dispatched by the KITA under Trump administration. The delegation will advocate for the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement that Trump has criticized for hurting U.S. jobs and trade balance. They are scheduled to meet Edwin Feulner, co-founder and president of U.S. think-tank Heritage Foundation who had advised Trump during his transition.

The delegation will consist of KITA Chairman Kim In-ho and representatives of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) and 20 mid- to small-sized companies. No government officials are included.

The visit was initially scheduled in autumn, but was pulled up to June for private endeavors to pitch Korean interests amid lengthy administration vacuum from impeachment of the president and election agenda in Korea.

By Kim Jung-hwan

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