ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — US Wheat Associates (USW) has named Dong-Chan Bae country director of the USW office in Seoul, South Korea, responsible for developing, maintaining and expanding US wheat exports to the East Asian country.

Bae, who begins his new role on Nov. 1, comes to USW after 25 years with Samyang Corp., a diverse South Korean company that includes a food and consumer business unit and flour milling operations. 

Bae spent two decades as a manager in Samyang’s Grain Procurement Division, where he was responsible for the purchasing of wheat from international markets. He also performed management duties related to the company’s flour milling ventures, and oversaw administration of Samyang offices in New York, New York, US; Shanghai, China; and Tokyo, Japan.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Bae to the USW team and feel his understanding of the global wheat market will be an asset for our efforts in an important part of the world,” said Mike Spier, vice president of overseas operations for USW. 

After being part of many collaborations between USW and South Korean importers and millers, Bae said he looks forward to representing the US wheat industry.

“I have always appreciated the work of US Wheat Associates, and I plan to use my abilities to continue the success of hard-working US wheat farmers to provide a stable supply of high-quality wheat to South Korea,” he said.