Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Regional Specialized Young Trade Experts Training Project Group (hereinafter the GTEP Project Group) recently received multiple awards, including a Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, at the 'GTEP 17th Completion Ceremony and 18th Launch Ceremony' held at COEX in Seoul, in recognition of contributions to supporting local export operations and expanding exports.

At the event, Professor Han Bang‑ul of the Department of International Trade, who oversees the GTEP Project Group, received the Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for contributions to supporting local export operations and expanding exports.

In addition, student O Ga‑yeon (Department of International Trade) received the Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in recognition of achievements including sharing work among project group members through Notion, converting documents into data to improve work productivity, and winning the 'Best Award' at an e‑commerce competition for entrepreneurial activities.

Also, 17th cohort student Son Dan‑bi (Department of International Trade) received the Korea International Trade Association President's Award for export performance, including managing accounts on the GTEP e‑commerce platform 'Alibaba' and actively supporting small and medium‑sized enterprises' entry into overseas markets at numerous trade fairs.

In addition, twelve students — from the 17th cohort: Kim Dong‑hyun, Park Su‑min, Son Dan‑bi, Song Do‑eun, O Ga‑yeon, Yoon Seung‑wook, Jung Chan‑yang, Jo Eun‑byeol (all Department of International Trade), Yoon Seo‑hee (Department of Chinese Language & Literature); from the 16th cohort: Im Yu‑bin, Hwang Deok‑geon (both Department of International Trade); and from the 15th cohort: Jang Ye‑eun (Department of International Trade) — received the 'Global Trade Expert' certification issued in the name of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. All 35 members of the 17th cohort achieved a 100% completion rate.

Kim Min‑ho, Project Group Director and Professor in the Department of International Trade, said, 'The JBNU GTEP Project Group has been able to achieve strong results thanks to its work know‑how and a structured curriculum that includes translation and interpretation tasks, participation in overseas trade fairs, and e‑commerce activities to support company exports.' He added, 'This year as well, 35 students of the 18th cohort are receiving 15 months of trade practice education, domestic and international export marketing activities, and e‑commerce training to support exports of small and medium‑sized and mid‑sized companies in the province.'

Meanwhile, the GTEP Project Group is a global trade talent development program led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and supported by the Korea International Trade Association, Jeonbuk Provincial Government, and Jeonju City Hall. Each year it selects around 35 students and operates a trade expert training program that includes foreign language special lectures, trade theory and practical training, and participation in trade fairs. The program supports local export‑promising companies with interpretation at domestic and overseas trade fairs and export‑related tasks.