FedEx selects 3 Korean teams for international trade competition finals in Singapore

FedEx, the global express delivery company, announced Tuesday it has concluded the domestic round of the 2026 FedEx/JA International Trade Competition (ITC) and selected three Korean teams to advance to the Asia-Pacific regional finals.

The three teams chosen to represent South Korea at the Asia-Pacific finals in Singapore in August are CHIKO, Duopoly and SPARK.

The FedEx/JA International Trade Competition is designed to give students hands-on experience in a real global business environment, helping them develop entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills. Participants build their global business capabilities through mentoring and workshops with FedEx employees, as well as exchanges with past participants.

This year's domestic competition challenged students to develop a market-entry strategy for an AI-powered logistics warehouse drone targeting the Vietnam market. Participants presented business models and execution strategies that factored in market analysis, consumer demand, operational efficiency and project feasibility.

The three selected teams are CHIKO — comprising Bae Ye-dam and Jang Ho-jun of Seoul Dwight School — Duopoly, made up of Kong Hyo-jun and Lee Do-hyeon of Chadwick International School in Songdo, and SPARK, consisting of Jeong Ji-heon and Choi Won-tae of Korea International Trade Meister High School.

At the Singapore finals, the teams will join students from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to form joint teams, tackle new challenges and compete in global collaboration and business acumen.

Park Won-bin, country manager of FedEx Korea, said digital competency, entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking are essential for next-generation leaders navigating a rapidly changing world. "We hope this competition gives participants the opportunity to turn creative ideas into real business solutions and grow into future leaders," he said.

Meanwhile, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the FedEx/JA International Trade Competition, which has drawn more than 3,000 Korean students since its inception. Korean teams have claimed the Asia-Pacific regional title three times — in 2018, 2021 and 2025.