Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

MOTIR Signs Cooperation MOU with Changwon National University

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) signed an MOU with Changwon National University on February 6, 2026. The signing ceremony was attended by Park Min-won, President of Changwon National University, Lee Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX), and representatives from related institutions and universities. Following the signing, participants discussed ways to advance industrial complex AX (AI transformation) grounded in industry–academia–research collaboration. “Digital and AI transformation in industrial complexes must move beyond individual firms and become a region-wide innovation effort involving universities and research institutes,” he said. “We will translate cooperation into concrete measures so anchor universities such as Changwon National University can serve as talent and technology hubs for industrial complex AX.” date2026-02-06

Minister Kim Meets with Defense and Shipbuilding Parts and Equipment Companies

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held a meeting with defense and shipbuilding parts and equipment companies on February 6, 2026, at the Grand Mercure Ambassador Hotel in Changwon. The meeting brought together representatives from relevant companies, including Firstec, Daegun Tech, STX Engine, and Hankuk Carbon. Following opening remarks, participants reviewed policy priorities for sustaining growth in the defense and shipbuilding industries as competition for global orders intensifies. Minister Kim also heard companies’ on-the-ground challenges and suggestions. “Defense and shipbuilding are more than key industries—they underpin Korea’s economic security,” he said. “With comparative advantages—such as delivery schedules and quality—and advanced technology capabilities increasingly shaping the global market, the government will expand AI integration across production processes and products to upgrade advanced manufacturing capabilities and turn them into sustained orders.” date2026-02-06

Meeting with Participants of the Pilot Industrial Complex AX Initiative

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with companies participating in the pilot industrial complex AX initiative at Samhyun Co., Ltd. in Changwon on February 6, 2026. Following opening remarks, Minister Kim and the participants reviewed AX adoption cases in manufacturing and discussed implementation challenges. The meeting brought together representatives from universities, demand and supply-side companies, and related institutions, including Doosan Enerbility, Core Systems Co., Ltd., Gyeongnam Technopark, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI), and Changwon National University. “AX is not just about productivity. It is also about capturing skilled workers’ know-how in technology and scaling it across sites,” Minister Kim said, adding that MOTIR will validate models in the field through pilot industrial complexes and scale them up to drive manufacturing upgrades across industrial clusters. date2026-02-06

MOTIR Maps Out the M.AX Blueprint for Industrial Complexes in Changwon

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited the city of Changwon in Gyeongsangnam-do on February 6, 2026, to explore ways industrial complexes—the backbone of the manufacturing sector—can drive regional manufacturing upgrades. The visit included discussions on converting industrial complexes into AI- and robotics-enabled advanced clusters, along with meetings with local companies to hear their views on strengthening the competitiveness of key regional industries, such as defense and shipbuilding. At Changwon National University, Minister Kim signed an MOTIR–Changwon National University cooperation MOU and discussed next steps for industrial complex AX initiatives grounded in industry–academia–research collaboration. “Digital and AI transformation in industrial complexes must move beyond individual firms and become a region-wide innovation effort involving universities and research institutes,” he said. “We will translate cooperation into concrete measures so anchor universities such as Changwon National University can serve as talent and technology hubs for industrial complex AX.” Minister Kim then met with companies participating in the pilot industrial complex AX initiative and visited the Samhyun plant to review AX adoption cases in manufacturing and hear about implementation challenges. “AX is not only about productivity,” he said. “It is also about capturing skilled workers’ know-how in technology and deploying it across sites.” Minister Kim added that “MOTIR will validate models in the field through pilot industrial complexes and scale them up to drive manufacturing upgrades across industrial clusters.” Building on the findings from the Changwon visit, MOTIR will further refine its industrial complex-centered manufacturing upgrade strategy and expand “a regional manufacturing innovation model that works on the ground” by strengthening industry–academia–research collaborations and fostering regional manufacturing ecosystems. Minister Kim also held a breakfast meeting with defense and shipbuilding parts and equipment companies to review policy priorities for sustaining growth as competition for global orders intensifies, and to hear industry concerns and suggestions. “Defense and shipbuilding are more than key industries—they underpin Korea’s economic security,” he said. “With comparative advantages—such as delivery schedules and quality—and advanced technology capabilities increasingly shaping the global market, the government will expand AI integration across production processes and products to upgrade advanced manufacturing capabilities and turn them into sustained orders.” date2026-02-06

MOTIR to Invest KRW 464.5 Billion in Korea’s Automotive Industry in 2026

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced on February 6, 2026, that it will invest KRW 464.5 billion this year in R&D and infrastructure-building programs for the automotive sector. Korea’s automotive exports reached a record high of USD 72.0 billion in 2025 despite intense global competition, marking a third consecutive year above $70.0 billion. With greater trade uncertainty, rapid advances in AI and autonomous driving technologies, and tighter environmental regulations, securing both technological and price competitiveness has become increasingly critical. MOTIR will invest KRW 382.7 billion in 2026 in core-technology R&D for autonomous driving and electric and hydrogen vehicles. Of this amount, KRW 104.4 billion will be allocated to 44 new projects. Within the funding for new projects, MOTIR plans to invest KRW 49.5 billion in 14 autonomous driving projects (34 subprojects) to support the shift from rule-based systems to End-to-End (E2E) AI autonomous driving. Led by the AI Future Vehicle M.AX Alliance, the projects focus on early commercialization of AI-based future vehicles. They will advance multimodal E2E-AI technology for situational awareness in complex driving conditions, develop and demonstrate a national standards-based SDV system, and build an open-source AI-SDV platform and integrated drive chassis modules tailored to global OEMs, while supporting localization of automotive semiconductors. These efforts aim to build self-reliance in core autonomous driving technologies and strengthen supply-chain stability across the full development-to-production cycle through phased measures. MOTIR will also step up support to accelerate development of world-class next-generation vehicle technologies, allocating KRW 54.8 billion to 30 new projects (55 subprojects) in the electric and hydrogen vehicle sector. Key areas include a highly integrated gallium nitride (GaN)-based power conversion system to improve power density, a Cell to Chassis (CTC) battery system to increase energy density and streamline the manufacturing process, and an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) powertrain system with a driving range of more than 1,500 km.  Commercial vehicles remain less competitive than passenger cars in global markets. To close that gap, MOTIR will fund development of heavy-duty hydrogen trucks equipped with liquid hydrogen storage systems and hydrogen engine-based commercial vehicles. MOTIR will also promote localization of load-distribution actuators for commercial vehicles. This year, MOTIR will provide KRW 7.0 billion for two demand-linked projects to demonstrate and commercialize R&D output as market-ready products. The projects will be selected through an open call jointly prepared by local governments and regional firms. Local governments will utilize demand for public vehicles to support on-road testing and connect the resulting products to public procurement. MOTIR will also provide KRW 81.8 billion for infrastructure-building programs. In line with the region-specific specialization strategy under the K-Mobility Global Leadership Strategy (November 2025), MOTIR will allocate KRW 11.6 billion to seven new infrastructure-building projects to help auto parts suppliers strengthen their capabilities. For the new projects and programs announced on February 6, 2026, applicants can find the full notice and download application forms on the Industrial Technology R&D Researcher Support System (srome.keit.re.kr) for R&D projects, or on the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) website (www.kiat.or.kr) for infrastructure-building programs. date2026-02-06

MOTIR Steps Up Public–Private Cooperation to Stabilize Rare Earth Supply Chains

As part of his trip to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited Star Group Ind. Co., Ltd.—a rare-earth permanent magnet manufacturer—on February 5, 2026, and met with major rare earth companies and support organizations to hear business challenges and discuss public–private cooperation. Ahead of the meeting, MOTIR released a summary of the comprehensive measures for rare earth supply chains, developed by the Industrial Security Supply Chain Task Force since October 2025 and approved by written resolution at the third Resource Security Council on February 4, 2026. The measures are the first policy initiative of MOTIR’s Office of Industry, Trade and Resource Security, launched in late December 2025. They cover the full rare-earth value chain—from mine development through separation and refining to manufacturing—and are organized around three pillars. First, to manage short-term supply and demand risks, the government will expand trade cooperation through multiple channels, designate all 17 rare earth elements as critical minerals, and refine supply-and-demand analysis by introducing and further subdividing HSK codes for rare earth imports and exports. Second, to diversify sources, the government will strengthen project-based resource diplomacy and expand the public sector’s role in sharing investment risks with the private sector. The government will also step up policy financing by increasing the budget for overseas resource development loans from KRW 39.0 billion in 2025 to KRW 67.5 billion in 2026 (up KRW 28.5 billion) and raising the loan coverage ratio from 50 percent to up to 70 percent. Third, to build domestic rare-earth production capacity, the government will support investment in domestic production facilities, streamline regulations to invigorate the recycling ecosystem, develop an R&D roadmap covering rare-earth substitution, reduction, and recycling, and create a new Rare Earth R&D Fund within the Industrial Technology Innovation Fund.  At the meeting, participating companies voiced support for the government’s policy direction, shared current supply constraints, and called for sustained government attention and policy support to secure a stable rare earth supply chain and foster related industries. “Korea has strong capabilities in advanced industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and batteries. But our heavy reliance on imported resources creates structural challenges in managing supply chains,” Minister Kim said. He added that “Korea’s national competitiveness hinges on industrial and resource security, and the public and private sectors must work closely to ensure stable management of rare earth supply chains.” He also said the government will “concentrate its policy efforts on building the foundations across the full rare earth value chain and strengthening industrial resilience against external shocks.” date2026-02-06

Rare Earth Value Chain Roundtable

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) hosted a meeting at Star Group Ind. Co., Ltd.’s Hyeonpung plant in Daegu on February 5, 2026, with companies and institutions across the rare earth value chain. Participants discussed ways to strengthen public–private cooperation to ensure supply chain stability and toured the plant.   The meeting was attended by representatives from the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR), the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Star Group Ind. Co., Ltd., Korea Zinc, and Hyundai Motor, among others.   Minister Kim said, “Korea’s national competitiveness hinges on industrial resource security, and the public and private sectors must work closely to ensure stable management of rare earth supply chains.” date2026-02-06

Meeting with Graduate Students from Key Universities in Daegu–Gyeongbuk

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with graduate students from key universities in the Daegu–Gyeongbuk region at a restaurant in Daegu on February 5, 2026, to discuss the future of the robotics and automotive industries, explore ways to foster young talent, and promote joint growth between local industry and the region. The meeting was attended by graduate students from Kyungpook National University, Keimyung University, and the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, among others. Minister Kim said, “MOTIR will reflect young people’s input and, together with relevant ministries and local governments, refine talent and regional industry policies to build a more effective pipeline from education to industry.”   date2026-02-06

M.AX Roundtable in Daegu

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) chaired the Daegu Regional M.AX roundtable at the Marriott Hotel in Daegu on February 5, 2026, and delivered opening remarks. Participants discussed the way forward for the regional-hub AX program and ways to link it with Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX). The roundtable was attended by National Assembly Member Kwon Hyang-yup, Acting Daegu Mayor Kim Jeong-gi, and representatives from relevant institutions and companies. Minister Kim said, “M.AX is a core lever for raising productivity and quality in regional manufacturing at the same time.” He added, “MOTIR will provide policy and program support to expand M.AX, linking local businesses with research institutions.” date2026-02-06

MOTIR Minister Visits Daegu–Gyeongbuk to Discuss Industrial Security, Advanced Manufacturing, and Talent Development

Following visits to Jeonbuk (January 22, 2026), and the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam area (January 23, 2026), Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region—a key hub for Korea’s advanced industries—on February 5, 2026, as part of the government’s on-site outreach under the “Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces” initiative. During the trip, Minister Kim visited Star Group Ind. Co., Ltd., a rare earth permanent magnet manufacturer in Daegu, and met with five key companies across the rare earth value chain—including Hyundai Motor, POSCO, and Korea Zinc—along with relevant support organizations to hear about challenges in securing rare earth supplies. MOTIR also presented comprehensive measures on rare earth supply chains, developed through the Industrial Security Supply Chain Task Force since October 2025, and discussed policy support and public–private cooperation to ensure supply chain stability. Minister Kim said, “Korea’s national competitiveness hinges on industrial resource security, and the public and private sectors must work closely to ensure stable management of rare earth supply chains.” Minister Kim then held a lunch meeting with graduate students at leading universities in Daegu and Gyeongbuk to hear their perspectives on the future of the region’s key industries, including robotics and automobiles. The students also proposed government support for talent development, including programs to train talent for AI convergence and to strengthen graduate-level capabilities. Minister Kim said that “MOTIR will incorporate youth perspectives and, together with relevant ministries and local governments, refine talent and regional industry policies to build a more effective pipeline from education to industry.” Minister Kim also held a Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) roundtable with local companies and relevant institutions to discuss building a regional hub to expand M.AX across industrial sites. During the event, the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) and the Daegu Digital Innovation Promotion Agency signed a cooperation MOU to support the smooth implementation of AX innovation technology development projects in the regional hub. Participants discussed the next steps for the regional AX hub program, measures to link regional initiatives with M.AX, and how to expand M.AX in the region’s key industries, including robotics. Minister Kim noted, “M.AX is a core lever for raising productivity and quality in regional manufacturing at the same time.” He added, “MOTIR will provide policy and program support to expand M.AX, linking local businesses with research institutions.” As the final event of the visit, Minister Kim met with regional innovation institutions—including research institutes and technoparks—and local economic organizations, including the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss the Daegu–Gyeongbuk region’s industrial vulnerabilities and potential and ways to strengthen competitiveness. Participants also extensively discussed the roles of each organization in revitalizing the regional economy and advancing the “Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces” regional growth initiative. They noted strong interest among local companies in AI-based manufacturing innovation (M.AX) and industrial upgrading, and called on the central government to expand related program budgets and increase participation by local companies. Minister Kim said, “MOTIR will support the expansion of M.AX across industrial sites and strengthen the region’s industrial competitiveness,” and asked the regional innovation institutions and economic organizations to work closely with the ministry to advan date2026-02-05