Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

MOTIR Highlights Responsible Business Conduct as Key to Sustainable Growth in the AI and Supply Chain Era

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) co-hosted the 2026 Public-Private Seminar on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and UN Global Compact Network Korea at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI). RBC refers to responsible business practices across economic and social areas, including human rights, labor, and the environment, as set out in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. The event drew approximately 100 participants, including corporate representatives and ESG experts.  The seminar marked the 50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the Guidelines’ role as an international standard for responsible business conduct over the past five decades and to strengthen Korean companies’ ability to respond to a rapidly changing business environment shaped by global supply chain shifts and the wider use of AI. Participants shared approaches to the responsible use of AI; managing human rights and labor risks in critical mineral supply chains; government support for human rights management by Korean companies operating overseas; and corporate AI governance. They also discussed key RBC issues arising from AI and supply chain developments and how companies should respond. “The Korea NCP will expand training and outreach to promote the adoption of the OECD Guidelines across Korean businesses,” said Kang Gam-chan, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment at MOTIR, in his opening remarks. “We will also strengthen support for resolving disputes arising from the implementation of the Guidelines.” date2026-07-14

Korea to Lead International Standardization of Smart Manufacturing in M.AX Era

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced on July 13, 2026, that Korea will serve as the secretariat for the newly established Smart Manufacturing and Enterprise Applications Subcommittee (SC 65F) under Technical Committee 65 (TC 65) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). SC 65F was established in response to the rapid spread of advanced digital technologies such as AI and digital twins across manufacturing sites, which is driving the industry's AI transformation into full swing. It will develop international standards for key areas of future manufacturing, including digital twin factories that recreate physical production processes in virtual environments; smart manufacturing systems that connect data across the entire process from design to production; and autonomous manufacturing systems that use AI to make decisions and control production processes. KATS worked with multiple countries from the early stages of discussions to establish the SC 65F. This early involvement led to Korea’s selection as the secretariat. The role has no fixed term and oversees and coordinates both the subcommittee’s operations and the development of international standards, placing Korea in a position to lead this work on a sustained basis. Going forward, KATS will serve as the SC 65F secretariat to establish key Korean technologies for Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) as international standards, including manufacturing data and technologies for operating and managing AI in manufacturing. KATS plans to strengthen the global competitiveness of Korean companies through this standardization work. “Serving as the secretariat gives Korea a foundation to lead international standards for future manufacturing, beyond its established strength as a manufacturing nation,” said KATS President Kim Dae-ja. “We will support Korean companies so that their M.AX technologies and innovations can be reflected in international standards. date2026-07-13

MOTIR Takes First Step Toward Commercializing “Wonder Material” Graphene

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the launch meeting for the Graphene Industrialization Network on July 8, 2026, in Ilsan, where NANO KOREA 2026 is being held. The meeting brought together graphene experts from industry, academia, and research institutions. As part of work to implement the ultra-innovative economy flagship projects, MOTIR organized the meeting to establish a cooperation platform that brings together end-user companies, suppliers, and research institutions to address challenges raised by industry in commercializing graphene. Ahead of the meeting, MOTIR released a technology roadmap for commercializing graphene, developed through industry consultations that began in October 2025. The roadmap begins with addressing heat-management challenges in advanced industries by using graphene’s high conductivity, and points over the longer term to broader graphene applications across these industries. The roadmap is expected to help shape technology development and commercialization strategies that reflect the needs of advanced industries. At the meeting, participants agreed that graphene’s diverse properties give it potential for a broad range of applications, and that there is a need to continue identifying new industry demand and applications beyond the directions set out in the roadmap. Participants also agreed to continue discussions through the Graphene Industrialization Network on the material properties and quality standards required by end-user companies, potential demonstration projects, and barriers to commercialization. “Graphene is a material with the potential to transform advanced industries,” said Choi Woo-hyuk, Director General for High Technology Industry at MOTIR. “With the roadmap released today and the Graphene Industrialization Network as a starting point, MOTIR will work closely with industry to support demonstrations and help create initial demand, so that graphene’s potential can lead to practical industrial applications.” date2026-07-08

Future M.AX Talents to Compete at RoboCup 2026

RoboCup 2026, the world’s largest robotics technology competition, will be held from July 2 to July 5, 2026, at Songdo Convensia in Incheon. Kim Sung-yeol, Deputy Minister for Industry and Growth at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), attended the opening ceremony, encouraged participating teams from Korea and abroad, and met with Korean undergraduate and graduate students competing in the event to discuss training future robotics talent. RoboCup 2026 Hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and the International RoboCup Federation and sponsored by MOTIR, RoboCup 2026 — the 29th edition of the event — was held at its largest scale to date, with about 3,000 participants from 45 countries. Beyond robot soccer, the competition features robotics challenges in which robots perform tasks in disaster rescue, home service, manufacturing processes, and other areas. During the event, organizers will also hold the Humanoid Robot Challenge for Korean university teams, operate an exhibition featuring more than 40 robot manufacturers and component companies from Korea and abroad, and host an international symposium on robotics technology to share the latest trends in the global robotics industry. Humanoid Robot Challenge This year’s inaugural Humanoid Robot Challenge brings together 12 Korean university teams. Their humanoid robots will perform tasks designed for manufacturing and logistics settings, including sorting parts, transporting them, assembling components, and fastening wheels. The challenge will assess the potential use of humanoid robots in manufacturing by having them carry out tasks similar to those found at actual production sites. Roundtable with Young Robotics Talent Before the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister Kim met with Korean undergraduate and graduate students competing in RoboCup 2026 to discuss training future robotics talent and supporting robotics research. The students called for stronger research infrastructure and more industry-academia R&D projects, and MOTIR presented its policy direction for developing robotics talent. First, MOTIR will establish Korea’s first specialized graduate school for humanoid robotics in the second half of 2026 to train master’s and doctoral-level experts. The school will be established under the Act on Special Measures for Strengthening the Competitiveness of, and Protecting National High-Tech Strategic Industries to train personnel in national high-tech strategic technologies. Selected universities will receive about KRW 3.0 billion per year for up to five years to build educational and research facilities, develop and operate curricula, and engage in industry-academia projects with companies.  Second, MOTIR will expand opportunities for universities and companies to conduct joint R&D and demonstration projects. The ministry will hold annual technology competitions, such as the Humanoid Robot Challenge, and, in the selection process for future national robotics R&D and demonstration projects, give additional points to universities that achieve strong results in the competition. This will support joint research with companies and other partners. Third, MOTIR will support the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), the world’s largest robotics conference, which will be held in Seoul in 2027. The ministry will also support related R&D so Korean academia and industry can present their research outcomes at ICRA. “RoboCup 2026 is a platform where robotics talent from around the world comes together to compete and exchange ideas. It is also an important opportunity to demonstrate Korea’s progress toward becoming a leading AI robotics powerhouse,” Deputy Minister Kim said. “The government will reflect the suggestions raised at today’s roundtable in policies that strengthen support for young tal date2026-07-02

Public-Private Roundtable for the National Growth Fund-M.AX Frontier Project

Minister JK Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) chaired a public-private roundtable for the National Growth Fund-M.AX Frontier Project at Korea Development Bank (KDB) in Seoul on July 1, 2026.  The meeting was attended by FSC Chairman Lee Eog-weon; KDB Chairman & CEO Park Sang-jin; Kim Min-pyo, CEO of Wonik Robotics; Choi Ho-hyung, CEO of Daesung Hi-Tech; Kim Jung-hee, CTO of CJ Logistics; and other industry representatives. Minister Kim said bold investment is needed in AI factories, AI robots, and semiconductors, which will be central to Korea’s growth in the coming AI era. He also expressed hope that the National Growth Fund would provide a reliable pathway for growth by supporting investment in M.AX infrastructure. date2026-07-02

Gwangju Future Mobility MINI Alliance Roundtable

Minister JK Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the Gwangju Future Mobility MINI Alliance Roundtable at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju on June 30, 2026. The roundtable was attended by Lee Cheon-hwan, Chair of the Gwangju Future Mobility MINI Alliance; local governments; automakers; suppliers; AI companies; universities; and research institutes. Participants discussed plans to develop an M.AX cluster to strengthen future mobility competitiveness. Minister Kim said M.AX has become essential to industrial survival as AI reshapes industry, and that competitiveness in the automobile industry depends on innovation across the value chain.   date2026-07-01

Gwangju to Lead Future Mobility M.AX by Bringing Automotive Manufacturing and AI Together

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) hosted a Gwangju Future Mobility MINI Alliance roundtable in Gwangju on June 30, 2026. The meeting brought together automakers, suppliers, AI companies, universities, research institutes, and local governments to discuss how to develop a Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) cluster and strengthen future mobility competitiveness. The automobile industry has evolved beyond traditional manufacturing into a key advanced convergence industry, as AI, semiconductors, software, and data reshape its structure. It also remains a core regional industry that supports production, business competitiveness, and job creation, making it a key driver of regional growth under the Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces (5+3) strategy. Gwangju has an automotive production base that brings together automakers and suppliers across the value chain. Its Cheomdan District 3 is also developing into an AI-centered industrial convergence cluster. Together, these strengths give Gwangju significant growth potential as a hub for M.AX in industrial complexes. During the roundtable, speakers presented the Gwangju MINI Alliance’s plan to develop an M.AX cluster based on the region’s strengths. The plan centers on building a Future Mobility M.AX Cluster that would advance M.AX across the automotive value chain and lead the future vehicle industry ecosystem. It also calls for developing and testing AX models for specific processes, including vision inspection, predictive maintenance, and automated logistics, at pilot factories such as Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) and Alps Electric Korea, before rolling them out across local industrial complexes. The discussion highlighted Gwangju’s distinct position as a region where automotive production sites and an AI industrial base are in proximity. Participants discussed using process, quality, and logistics data from Gwangju’s industrial complexes to develop AI models, then redeploying them on site to generate new manufacturing data, creating a virtuous cycle that supports process innovation. Manufacturers need infrastructure that can store and use manufacturing data to link data and AI models reliably. A data center is being built in Cheomdan District 3 of Gwangju Innopolis, funded by the Industrial Complex Environment Improvement Fund. MOTIR will use the center to support manufacturers’ adoption of M.AX and develop it into core infrastructure for regional manufacturing innovation. It will also strengthen domestic capabilities to produce AI infrastructure equipment, helping to build an M.AX ecosystem where manufacturing innovation goes hand in hand with growth in the AI infrastructure industry. Participants agreed to operate a governance framework that keeps manufacturers, AI companies, universities, and research institutes working together to develop an M.AX cluster centered on the Gwangju MINI Alliance. Building on this framework, they will expand M.AX across the automotive industry’s value chain. To ensure that M.AX takes hold in practice at industrial sites, the initiative will pair tailored AX support for resident companies with on-site workforce training. The results from Gwangju will be shared with other industrial complexes and the broader automobile industry, and developed into a region-led model for manufacturing innovation. “In this new age of AI, M.AX has become essential for industrial survival. In the automobile industry, competitiveness depends on innovation across the value chain,” Minister JK Kim said. “If scaled beyond Gwangju, the successful model built on the city’s automotive ecosystem and AI infrastructure could serve as an important model for manufacturing innovation and help drive regional growth under the 5+3 strategy.” date2026-06-30

Public-Private Strategy Meeting Discusses Industrial and Resource Security in Wake of Middle East Conflict

The government, industry, and experts will mobilize national capabilities to address Korea’s energy and resource supply vulnerabilities stemming from the Middle East conflict and strengthen industrial and resource supply chains across the full value chain, from critical minerals to materials and parts. Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the first Industrial and Resource Security Strategy Meeting at Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) in Seoul on June 25, 2026, with experts and industry representatives to discuss future policy directions. The Middle East conflict, which has continued for more than 110 days, has underscored the limits of relying on the government or industry alone to manage resource security crises in Korea, a resource-poor, export-driven economy. It also showed the need to move beyond one-off crisis responses and rebuild supply chains to withstand future disruptions. The Strategy Meeting was launched as a public-private forum to reform Korea’s industrial and resource security system and strengthen crisis response. Members of the Resource Security Advisory Group also participated in the meeting to help gather views from a broad range of fields. The group includes experts in resource economics and security, international politics and trade, law and accounting, and market analysis, as well as representatives from associations and organizations for major resources. At the meeting, MOTIR outlined how it will prepare the master plan for resource security and a plan for stockpiling critical minerals under the Special Act on National Resource Security, and received input from participating experts. Experts at the meeting said the Middle East conflict brought into clearer focus that resources, as raw materials for industry, underpin Korea’s manufacturing sector and national economy. They also agreed that self-reliance in Korea’s industrial and resource supply chains depends not simply on securing resources, but on the ability to control supply chain bottlenecks. To reduce risks from Korea’s heavy reliance on resource imports, the experts recommended diversifying supply sources and procurement methods and expanding stockpiling capacity to improve crisis resilience. They also emphasized the need to manage the full supply chain, from upstream to downstream, and said Korea should mobilize all available policy tools at the national level to secure upstream supply. Participants also agreed that Korea needs to build governance, foster a skilled workforce, and develop and protect key technologies to pursue resource security over the long term. Minister Kim said, “Global supply chains are shifting from a Just-in-Time system to a Just-in-Case system that prepares for contingencies. Resource security is a national task that requires careful, long-term preparation.” He asked experts to continue sharing their insights so that the government and the private sector can work together with a shared sense of responsibility and establish a resource security system that can withstand any circumstances. MOTIR has been preparing the master plan for resource security under the procedures set out in the Special Act on National Resource Security. In 2025, the ministry conducted a resource security diagnosis and assessment covering major core resources. Since April 2026, it has also worked with a group of about 30 researchers, experts, and officials from relevant public institutions to identify areas for supply chain improvement and medium- to long-term policy tasks raised by the Middle East conflict and other developments. MOTIR will give due consideration to the recommendations raised at the Strategy Meeting and incorporate relevant points into the master plan for resource security. The ministry will finalize the plan, which will serve as a medium- to long-term roadmap for resource security, in July 2026 af date2026-06-25

First Industrial and Resource Security Strategy Meeting

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) chaired the first Industrial and Resource Security Strategy Meeting at Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) in Seoul on June 25, 2026. The meeting brought together Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak, industrial and resource security experts, and industry representatives to discuss future policy directions.  Minister Kim said, “Resource security is a national task that requires careful, long-term preparation. The government and the private sector must work together with a shared sense of responsibility to build a resource security system that can withstand any circumstances.” date2026-06-25

Daebul, Myeongji Noksan, and Gunsan Industrial Complex MINI Alliance Meeting

Minister JK Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) chaired a MINI Alliance meeting for the Daebul, Myeongji Noksan, and Gunsan industrial complexes in Mokpo on June 22, 2026. Participants included Cho Doo-yun, Chair of the Daebul MINI Alliance; Kang Dong-hyuk, Chair of the Busan MINI Alliance; Jang Young-jae, Chair of the Gunsan MINI Alliance; Park Min-won, Head of the Industrial Complex AX Division; and representatives from manufacturing companies, AI companies, universities, research institutes, and local governments. At the meeting, Minister Kim delivered opening remarks and discussed the Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) strategy for shipbuilding and ways to strengthen cooperation among the industrial complexes. date2026-06-23