Apr 18, 2025
South Korean entrepreneurs are joining forces for global expansion, creating business networks to tackle looming challenges.
Ahead of the opening of the 23rd World Korean Business Convention in Atlanta, the United States, on Thursday, the venue was already bustling on Wednesday, with early sell-outs reported. The convention is attended by about 400 companies eyeing export opportunities.
At the welcome banquet on Wednesday, senior Korean business leaders from around the world offered advice and encouragement to help cultivate next-generation success stories.
A central theme was the importance of the Korean business economic bloc—a vision in which Korean and overseas Korean entrepreneurs join forces to form a unified global economic network.
The aim is to promote free trade, investment, and supply chain integration within the bloc to collectively navigate global economic challenges.
One notable example is the partnership between Han Oh-dong, President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce Atlanta Georgia, and outdoor goods company Kolping.
Han, who had been running a beauty shop in Atlanta, signed a U.S. distribution deal with Kolping at the 2022 convention in Orange County, California, becoming the first official business match from the event.
Kolping opened its first U.S. store in Duluth, Atlanta, in September 2023 and is now preparing to expand nationwide.
“With Korean culture trending in the U.S., we’re branding Kolping as Korean clothing,” Han said. “Especially in times of tariff-driven difficulty, global Korean entrepreneurs need to support one another and share information.”
Park Jong-bum, President of the World-Overseas Korean Traders Associations, also underscored the role of the Korean business network in mitigating uncertainties triggered by policies like President Donald Trump’s tariff measures.
He added that such networks help ensure stable sourcing of overseas parts and raw materials.
First-generation entrepreneurs expressed confidence in the potential synergy between their experience and the drive of younger leaders.
“If senior leaders help connect networks across countries, next-gen leaders will naturally emerge,” said Ko Sang-gu, President of the World Assembly of Korean Associations. “Strong support is crucial for this.”
Park Sun-keun, President of the Korea America Friendship Society, urged young entrepreneurs to stay steady amid global uncertainty. “Running a business is like driving a car—if you only focus on the obstacle in front of you, you might lose your way globally. Keep a broader perspective,” he advised.
Kim Baek-gyu, head of the Georgia Korea Grocers Association Inc., highlighted the importance of community support.
“There are plenty of opportunities for Korean entrepreneurs to go global, especially to the U.S.,” Kim said. “With support from the Korean community and senior business leaders, they can surely find a way.”
Shin Young-kyo, Chairman of the Atlanta Oriental Food Wholesale Co., also noted that the Korean government’s support “lays the foundation for growth” by enabling Korean entrepreneurs to share ideas and evolve.
Lee Kyung-chul, President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA, expressed hope that this year’s convention would mark the beginning of a Korean business economic bloc, jointly developed by Korean SMEs and overseas Korean businesses.
North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan said in his congratulatory speech, “Korean entrepreneurs have built and protected Korea,” pledging active support from local governments.
Meanwhile, major public agencies and partner organizations at the event committed to full-scale support.
The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in domestic and international distribution networks.
NACF Chairman Kang Ho-dong pledged infrastructure support to help Korean food lead efforts in overcoming tariff challenges and advancing the Korean business economic bloc.