KOTRA, initially the Korea Trade Promotion Corporation, were established in 1962 as a national trade promotion organization. Since then, it has successfully facilitated Korea's rapid export-led economic development through various trade promotion activities such as overseas market surveys and business matchmaking.

 August 1995, cross-border investment promotion and support for technological and industrial cooperation projects was added to KOTRA's mandate, and it was renamed the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

KOTRA is now well-equipped to pursue its twin mandates of trade and investment promotion to enhance national prosperity and competitiveness, with the ultimate goal of positioning Korea as the business and economic hub of Northeast Asia. With its long-term experience and expertise, KOTRA serves and assists all interested parties worldwide to do business with Korea.