Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The Korean government is launching the 61st Trade Day on December 5 at COEX in Seoul to award persons of merit for contributing to Korea’s trade achievements.

This year, a total of 597 persons of merit are to receive government awards, including 33 orders of merit, 31 medals of honor, and 533 commendations. Approximately 89 percent of the awardees work at either SMEs or middle-market companies.

The five winners of this year’s Gold Tower Orders of Industrial Service Merit are in businesses specializing in special bolts, semiconductors, automobiles, logistics, and car parts. 

The Export Tower Award was first awarded in 1973 to a company for achieving the then-historic USD 100 million in exports. Receiving the prize this year are a total of 1,545 companies, composed of 20 large-sized companies, 92 middle-market companies, and 1,433 SMEs. 

The $25 Billion Export Tower Award goes to Kia this year, followed by 55 companies receiving the $100 Million Export Tower Award and 313 more receiving the $1 Million Export Tower Award. Award winners are selected based on the accumulated export value through July 2023–June 2024.