Kim Min-ho, Director of the Regional Specialized Young Trade Professionals Training Project Group (hereinafter the GTEP Project Group) and Professor in the Department of International Trade, received a Minister's Award from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in recognition of his contributions to supporting local export operations and expanding exports.

At the 15th GTEP completion ceremony held on March 31 under the auspices of the Korea International Trade Association, the Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) GTEP Project Group received recognition for its achievements over the past year: student Park Jin-sik (Department of International Trade) was awarded a Commendation from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and student Park Hye-bon (Department of Chinese Language & Literature) received the Korea International Trade Association President's Award.

In addition, seven students—Kim Seong-hee (Department of International Trade), Shin Min-gyeong (Department of International Trade), Park Jin-sik (Department of International Trade), Park Hyun-woo (Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies), Lee Chae-rin (Department of International Trade), Jo So-hyun (Department of International Trade), and Han Yong-su (Department of International Trade)—received certification as "Global Trade Specialists" issued in the name of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. This year, all 35 members of the 15th cohort completed the program, achieving a 100% completion rate.

Prior to the completion ceremony, there was also a meeting between students and President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol titled "Meeting with Young Trade National Representatives", during which they discussed measures to revitalize youth trade. On that occasion, President-elect Yoon pledged to take an interest in and actively support the development of youth trade and promised that the government would provide abundant and boundless opportunities to young people.

Kim Min-ho said, "Despite COVID-19, our students engaged in corporate export support activities with exceptional enthusiasm to help overcome the depressed local export market, which enabled the project group to achieve strong results." He added, "This year, the 16th cohort of 36 students is receiving 15 months of training in trade practice, domestic and overseas export marketing activities, and e-commerce education to support exports for local small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-sized companies."

Meanwhile, the GTEP Project Group is a global trade talent development program overseen by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and supported by the Korea International Trade Association, the Jeonbuk Provincial Government, and Jeonju City Hall. Each year it selects approximately 35 students and runs a trade professional training program that includes foreign language special lectures, trade theory and practical training, and participation in trade fairs. The program also supports promising local export companies by providing interpretation and export assistance at domestic and overseas exhibitions.