Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

MND, MSIT, MOTIR, and MSS Join Forces to Accelerate AI Transformation (AX) Across Defense and Industry

The Ministry of National Defense (MND, Minister Ahn Gyu-baek) held the inaugural 2025 Defense AI Ecosystem Development Forum at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday, December 3. The event was designed to strengthen government-wide governance for cooperation on defense AI and to build momentum for major defense AI programs planned for 2026, bringing together senior government officials and about 500 representatives from AI-related private companies. The program featured sessions on Korea’s defense AX strategy, mid- to long-term plans for defense–ICT cooperation, MOTIR’s defense AX strategy and support initiatives, support programs for defense-innovation startups, and briefings on defense AI requirements for 2026. Participants discussed future directions and challenges for defense AI and developed a shared understanding of areas for practical cooperation. During the forum, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyung-hoon), the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan), and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS, Minister Han Seong-sook) joined MND in announcing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate AI transformation (AX) across the defense and industrial sectors. Under the MOU, the ministries will leverage sovereign AI foundation models to cooperate on AX innovation; identify defense AI needs; provide testbed opportunities for real-world validation; support access to defense R&D infrastructure; develop core AI technologies and related infrastructure; expand cross-sector utilization in defense, industry, and the public sector; foster AI talent; broaden the application of defense and manufacturing AI technologies within national defense; and discover and scale startups and SMEs in the defense AX domain. As global security conditions evolve amid the rapid adoption of AI—including intelligent command-and-control, unmanned and autonomous systems, and automated defense operations—the agreement brings together the expertise of MSIT, MOTIR, and MSS to promote cohesive and interconnected AX policies across the defense and industrial sectors. The agreement establishes a full AX collaboration pipeline among government agencies, from securing core AX technologies and enabling real-world validation in the defense sector to supporting industrial deployment and adoption by startups and SMEs. These efforts are expected to accelerate AX across defense and industry, strengthen defense-industry competitiveness, and support the development of a more advanced and trusted defense force. Minister Kim Jung-kwan of MOTIR stated, “In an era where advanced technologies such as AI shape both security and economic competitiveness, expanding AX in the defense sector is no longer optional but essential. Building on the strong trilateral foundation of AI, manufacturing, and defense, MOTIR will identify demand for dual-use AI technologies through M.AX (Manufacturing AX) and provide targeted support. Beginning next year, we will advance the AX Sprint Program to help create an AX market in the defense industry, and we will work closely with the military to strengthen real-world validation for AI-embodied next-generation weapons. Through these efforts, MOTIR will actively support the establishment of a robust defense AI ecosystem.” date2025-12-03

MOTIR Reveals Ceramic R&D Roadmap to Boost Competitiveness of Key Materials for Advanced Industries

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) held a meeting with ceramic companies on Wednesday, December 3, at the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) under the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). At the meeting, MOTIR revealed the “Ceramic R&D Roadmap,” which aims to enhance the high added value of Korea’s ceramic industry and stabilize its supply chain. The government plans to utilize the Roadmap to systematically support the strategic development of ceramic technologies and the advancement of the industry’s foundation. The Roadmap is structured around four strategic pillars and comprises 46 key tasks across 12 priority fields. These include meeting demand from next-generation leading industries (AI, semiconductors, and displays); enhancing the high durability of ceramics (semiconductors, next-generation telecommunications, defense and aviation, and hydrogen technologies); improving reliability for use in energy and eco-friendly sectors (secondary batteries, advanced biotechnology, and future mobility); and upgrading the base of the ceramic industry (refractories, cement, and glass). The Roadmap outlines measures to strengthen both advanced ceramics and traditional ceramic industries, with the goal of enhancing competitiveness in a balanced manner across the sector. To facilitate early market entry of newly developed technologies, the government will provide follow-up support, including the establishment of commercialization testbeds and assistance with intellectual property (IP) strategies for global market expansion. For systematic implementation, MOTIR will allocate approximately KRW 100 billion in funding through 2030 by leveraging the Materials, Parts, and Components Technology Development Project, new budget allocations, and contributions to the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering & Technology. Experts from industry, academia, and research institutes emphasized that “securing core ceramic technologies is fundamental to strengthening industry competitiveness and stabilizing the national supply chain,” adding that “continuous management is required to ensure that the newly announced R&D Roadmap reflects global trends in a timely manner.” Na Sung-hwa, Director General for Industrial Supply Chain Policy at MOTIR, noted that “this R&D Roadmap marks an important start for elevating the competitiveness of the ceramic industry. As global uncertainties continue to rise, technological self-reliance and supply chain stabilization in the ceramic sector are not optional, but essential.” She stated, “MOTIR will continue to incorporate expert feedback and global technological developments into future updates of the R&D Roadmap to build a stable and robust ecosystem for the ceramic industry.” date2025-12-03

Defense AI Ecosystem Development Forum

Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), attended the Defense AI Ecosystem Development Forum held on Wednesday, December 3, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan. The event was organized to strengthen government-wide governance for defense AI cooperation and build momentum for major defense AI programs planned for 2026.   The forum was also attended by Ahn Gyu-baek, Minister of National Defense, Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, and Han Seong-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, along with approximately 500 experts and representatives from AI-related private companies.   Minister Kim emphasized that expanding AX in the defense sector is essential in an era where advanced technologies such as AI shape both security and economic competitiveness, noting MOTIR’s plans to support AI-driven dual-use technology development through M.AX and to advance AX initiatives in cooperation with the military. date2025-12-03

KATS to Host the International AI Standards Summit With ISO, IEC, and ITU

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced that Korea will host the 2025 International AI Standards Summit from December 2 to 3 at The Shilla Seoul. The event will be organized in partnership with the world’s three leading international standards bodies—the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With the rapid progress of AI, issues surrounding human rights violations, AI safety and reliability, and fragmented global standards have emerged as major international challenges. In response, the United Nations established the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body (AIAB) and tasked it with preparing recommendations for AI governance. In its final report published in September 2024, “Governing AI for Humanity,” AIAB outlined seven key recommendations, including a proposal to convene a global AI standards summit. Following this, ISO, IEC, and ITU agreed to jointly launch the International AI Standards Summit and designated Korea in October 2024 as the host of the inaugural event. The summit will bring together senior leadership from the three organizations—ISO President Cho Sung Hwan, IEC President Jo Cops, and ITU Deputy Secretary-General Tomas Lamanauskas—as well as high-ranking representatives from major international bodies. Participants include Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Andrew Staines, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. More than 300 C-suite executives from global companies, including Google, Microsoft, Huawei, and Alibaba, as well as Korean companies such as Samsung, LG, Naver, Kakao, and Hyundai Mobis, will also join discussions on the future of global AI standardization. Held under the theme “Standards Shaping the AI World,” the summit will highlight the central role of international standards in ensuring safe and responsible use of AI across industry, government, and society. Over the two-day program, participants will discuss strategic priorities for international AI standardization, global cooperation models, and approaches to responsible AI governance. At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok will deliver welcoming remarks, after which ISO, IEC, and ITU will issue the Seoul Statement on Artificial Intelligence (AI)—their first collective action to implement the UN’s recommendations. The Statement outlines the following four principal directions for global AI standardization, establishing shared norms for the safe and equitable use of AI. First, AI standards should address not only technical aspects but also the broader impacts of technology on people, society, and the environment. Second, safeguards to protect human rights—particularly against risks such as privacy violations and discrimination—must be strengthened within international AI standards. Third, AI standards must be fair and reliable global norms developed through the participation of governments, businesses, researchers, and civil society rather than being shaped by any single country or exclusive group of experts. Fourth, public-private partnerships should expand AI education and training to help narrow AI utilization gaps between countries and societies, allowing all to prepare effectively for the AI era. KATS President Kim Dae-ja noted, “AI standards are more than technical specifications. They are the basis of trust that enables people to use AI safely.” He added, “Building on this summit, the government will make every effort to position Korea as a global hub that leads AI standardization.” date2025-12-02

2025 International AI Standards Summit

Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), attended the 2025 International AI Standards Summit held on Tuesday, December 2, at The Shilla Seoul. The event was co-hosted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).   Minister Kim was joined by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok; ISO President Cho Sung-hwan; IEC President Jo Cops; and ITU Deputy Secretary-General Tomas Lamanauskas, as well as Jean-Marie Paugam, WTO Deputy Director General; Andrew Staines, WIPO Assistant Director General; and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, along with senior officials from international organizations and representatives from leading Korean companies including Samsung, LG, Naver, Kakao, and Hyundai Mobis.   President Kim Dae-ja of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) noted in his remarks that AI standards are the basis of trust that enables that enables people to use AI safely. He added that Korea will work closely with global partners to strengthen responsible AI governance and to advance cooperation in international AI standardization. date2025-12-02

K-Battery to Power Korea’s Future Industries

The government convened the 8th National High-Tech Strategic Industry Committee on Friday, November 28, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, to discuss plans to strengthen Korea’s rechargeable battery competitiveness, designate new strategic industry clusters, and expand the list of national high-tech strategic technologies. To reinforce Korea’s position amid the EV slowdown and China’s rapid catch-up, the government presented measures to secure leadership in next-generation battery technologies, strengthen the supply chain for key materials and minerals, and stimulate domestic demand to maintain a strong production base. In addition, the government will launch procedures to designate new specialized zones for rechargeable batteries, humanoid robotics, and advanced aviation engines, with a public call planned for December. It will also identify new national high-tech strategic technologies in areas such as nuclear energy, future mobility, and artificial intelligence. A demand survey will begin in December, followed by review and approval by the National High-Tech Strategic Industry Committee. Prime Minister Kim emphasized that Korea stands at a critical crossroads as the United States and China intensify their competition for technological supremacy. He pledged all-out government support to maintain technological leadership through the AI-driven M.AX (manufacturing transformation), the expansion of mother factories, next-generation battery technology development, and strengthened critical-mineral security.   date2025-12-01

Korea Advances AI-driven K-Bio Innovation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan), together with KoreaBIO, the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology, the Korea Bio-cluster Federation, and the Medical Device Industry Promotion Foundation, hosted the 2025 Biotechnology Industry Day on Friday, November 28, at the Westin Josun Seoul. Biotechnology Industry Day is an annual event designed to recognize achievements in the biotechnology industry and promote broad collaboration across the sector. Now in its sixth year since its launch in 2020, this year’s event brought together more than 200 participants, including MOTIR Director General for Industrial Policy Park Dong-il, KoreaBIO Chairman Ko Han-sung, and Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology President Chun Yoon-jong, as well as award recipients and industry representatives. During the ceremony, the government presented a total of 34 awards to individuals and organizations that contributed to advancing the bio industry. A key highlight of this year’s event was the launch of the AI Bio Alliance, a subcommittee of the M.AX (Manufacturing AX) Alliance launched in September 2025. The AI Bio Alliance brings together Korean biotech companies, AI companies, and support organizations to jointly drive AI-powered innovation in the bio sector, including the development of commercially viable AI models specialized in biotechnology. In his congratulatory remarks, Director General Park noted that despite economic challenges such as tariff uncertainties, Korea’s biotechnology industry continues to strengthen its global competitiveness thanks to the dedication of industry leaders. He added, "The government will continue to provide strong policy support to help Korea emerge as one of the world’s top five bio powerhouses." date2025-11-28

Korea to Boost Recycling of Critical Minerals and Advanced Materials

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced on November 27 the establishment and promulgation of Good Recycled (GR) quality-certification standards for three platinum-group metals—recycled platinum (Pt), recycled palladium (Pd), and recycled rhodium (Rh). The initiative aims to secure stable supply chains for national critical minerals and lay the foundation for revitalizing Korea’s resource-recycling industry. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium—three major platinum-group metals that serve as essential catalysts in various chemical reactions and as core raw materials in advanced-materials industries such as aerospace engines—have been designated as national critical minerals due to their significant economic and industrial impact. Over the years, Korean mineral-recycling companies have faced challenges in establishing market trust and accessing the recycled products market because of the absence of clear quality standards and credible testing and certification systems. To address these gaps, KATS worked through the Korean Resource Circulation Industry Certification Institute (KOCIRI) to collect industry feedback and develop GR standards for recycled Pt, Pd, and Rh. The new standards clearly define purity and impurity thresholds, testing methods, and labeling requirements for recycled products. With the introduction of these GR standards, recycled critical minerals can now obtain nationally recognized quality certification, which is expected to enhance confidence in product quality and support corporate ESG initiatives. This, in turn, will boost revenue growth across related industries and accelerate the development of Korea’s critical mineral recycling sector. President Kim stated, “The establishment of GR certification standards for recycled platinum-group critical minerals fills an industry-identified gap in recycling quality certification and provides a reliable foundation for companies to produce trusted recycled materials.” He added, “KATS will continue strengthening communication with industry stakeholders to expand standards for recycled metals in line with industrial needs and to further revitalize critical mineral recycling, supporting Korea’s broader transition toward a circular economy.” The GR standards for recycled platinum, palladium, and rhodium are available free of charge on the KOCIRI website (www.kociri.or.kr). date2025-11-28

Korea Accelerates International Standardization of Semiconductor Packaging Processes

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the “2025 Semiconductor Standardization Forum” in Seoul on Wednesday, November 26, with more than 90 Korean semiconductor experts in attendance, including representatives from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The forum brought together experts from three of the world’s leading semiconductor standardization organizations— Technical Committee (TC) 47 (Semiconductor devices) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), and the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC)—to discuss standardization trends in advanced semiconductor packaging (back-end processes) and AI-related semiconductors. During the IEC session, Korea introduced two new international standard proposals put forward at last week’s IEC TC 47 meeting in Japan. The proposals include a standard for evaluating hybrid bonding strength—used for direct wafer-to-wafer bonding without bumps (intermediate structures)—and a standard for assessing the precision of power semiconductor wafer dicing (cutting). These standards provide objective criteria for evaluating the reliability of wafer bonding and chip (die) separation processes. They are expected to ease specification alignment with global customers and reduce redundant testing for Korean semiconductor packaging and process-equipment manufacturers. SEMI, addressing standardization issues in automating advanced-packaging fabs, introduced ongoing standardization efforts for automated operations, including the transport and handling of semiconductor panels and large substrates. JEDEC highlighted the need for low-power Processing-In-Memory (PIM) solutions, presented relevant standardization measures, and shared recent trends in memory semiconductor standardization for on-device AI. President Kim stated, “Public international standards, such as those established by the IEC, have long served as a common language of trade under the WTO framework. However, the influence of global de facto standards, such as those driven by SEMI and JEDEC, has been increasing in recent years.” He emphasized, “The government will continue supporting Korean companies so they can play a leading role within these global standardization bodies.” date2025-11-27

Korea Ramps Up Public–Private Cooperation to Turn Carbon Neutrality into a Driver of Industrial Growth

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim Sung-whan) held an industry roundtable on Tuesday, November 25, to discuss Korea’s finalized 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and government support measures for industrial carbon neutrality. Approved by the Cabinet on November 11, the 2035 NDC commits Korea to reduce net emissions to 53–61 percent below 2018 levels, with the industrial sector responsible for a 24.3–31.0 percent reduction. Addressing industry concerns that these ambitious targets may increase compliance burdens, the government explained that it will operate the Emissions Trading System (ETS) using the lower bound of the reduction targets (overall emissions: 53 percent, industry emissions: 24.3 percent) to minimize the burden. It also discussed additional relief measures permitted under current regulations, such as eligible offsets and additional allowance allocations. MOTIR outlined its key initiatives for 2026, which include: launching a large-scale “Industry GX Plus” R&D program worth over KRW 5 trillion to develop industrial carbon-neutral technologies; supporting incentive-based facility upgrades through auctions and voluntary agreements; and actively promoting efficient and tangible support policies, such as large enterprise–SME carbon partnerships. Beginning in 2026, MCEE will also: strengthen support for large-scale reduction projects by major emitters; review the introduction of Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD), which are currently being implemented in Europe, after 2027; and draw more private capital into carbon-neutral investments by offering additional interest rate incentives for projects with substantial mitigation outcomes. Park Dong-il, Director General for Industrial Policy at MOTIR, emphasized that “the 2035 NDC can serve as a pivotal opportunity for Korean industries to transition toward low-carbon, high value-added Green Transformation, and the government will provide active support to ensure this shift.” Ahn Se-chang, Director General for Climate and Energy Policy at MCEE, noted that “the 2035 NDC is not just a reduction commitment but also a blueprint for Korea’s future economic growth. We will spare no effort in providing large-scale support to ensure its successful implementation across industries.” The government will actively gather industry feedback through sector-specific relay roundtables and finalize a whole-of-government “K-GX Strategy” in the first half of 2026. date2025-11-25