KOTRA was established in 1962 to bolster the Korean economy through trade. It has since traveled alongside Korea on its journey of economic growth.

In the 1960s and 70s, KOTRA developed overseas markets and in doing so served as a driving force in increasing Korea’s exports. In the 1980s, near the end of the Cold War, KOTRA led efforts to achieve economic diplomacy in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. During the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, as a national investment promotion agency, KOTRA attracted foreign investment to Korea and helped steer the nation out of the economic downturn.

Today, with 111 Korea Business Centers in 76 countries worldwide, KOTRA serves as a vessel through which foreign companies can conveniently cooperate with Korean companies.