Hwang Ki-yeon vows Export-Import Bank will anchor Korea's economy for next 50 years

Export-Import Bank of Korea President Hwang Ki-yeon pledged Tuesday that the bank would remain "a solid pillar of the Korean economy for the next 50 years" as the institution marked its 50th anniversary.

Speaking at a ceremony that morning at the bank's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Hwang said the bank would "challenge alongside businesses and grow alongside the nation, becoming an Export-Import Bank that earns even greater trust from the public through change and innovation."

He said Korea's economy and industries are at a new turning point. "The reshaping of global supply chains and the expansion of policy finance by various countries are intensifying competition for contracts in our strategic export industries — defense, nuclear power plants and infrastructure — and what was once competition between companies has now become a contest between nations," he said.

Hwang said that on its 50th anniversary, the bank would not rest on past achievements. "We will reflect anew on our founding purpose — to promote the sound development of the national economy by providing finance necessary for external economic cooperation — and reinvent ourselves as a leading policy finance institution that drives change and innovation," he said.

Hwang outlined three long-term goals for the bank. He said it would "protect Korea's economic security and serve as a stepping stone toward becoming an industrial powerhouse with an unassailable lead," pledging to expand strategic financial support for future industries including AI, semiconductors, biotech, batteries and defense. "We will establish ourselves as the central pillar of Korea's policy finance, helping the country join the world's top five export nations and ushering in the era of $1 trillion in exports," he said.

He also vowed to become "a steadfast partner in strengthening the export competitiveness of small and midsize enterprises and opening new overseas markets," adding that the bank would bolster its investment functions to support overseas market development and balanced regional growth, while expanding non-financial services to help companies manage AI transformation and trade risk.

Finally, Hwang said the bank would "broaden the horizon of practical economic cooperation that serves the national interest while benefiting all parties," using its global network and policy finance capabilities to help Korean companies win more contracts and expand the country's economic reach abroad.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, other government officials, and the heads of 10 client companies — including Park Sang-hyeon of Doosan Enerbility, Jo Seong-yong of Daedu Food and Jang Tae-yeong of Neoflam — who joined bank executives in marking the anniversary.

Koo said policy finance going forward must function as strategic finance that proactively shapes new markets and industries. "The government will also put in place a solid institutional foundation so that the Export-Import Bank can fulfill its role," he said.

Meanwhile, the bank on Monday made a direct investment of 20 billion won ($12.9 million) in FuriosaAI under the revised Export-Import Bank of Korea Act. In the second half of this year, it plans to establish a 100 billion won blind fund to invest in early-stage venture companies.