Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Experts Discuss M.AX as the Way Forward for Korean Manufacturing

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the first Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) Conference and Industrial Growth Forum on May 20, 2026, bringing together experts in manufacturing and economics to discuss how to advance M.AX and scale up the outcomes. Participants included companies involved in M.AX, such as LG Production Engineering Research Institute (LG PRI) and INTERX, as well as academic experts from KAIST, UNIST, Sungkyunkwan University and Myongji University. Manufacturing has long anchored Korea’s economic growth. But the sector now faces tougher conditions, including a shrinking working-age population and a declining potential growth rate. As AI moves into manufacturing sites and emerges as a game changer for productivity and industrial competitiveness, advancing the M.AX has become essential. As major competitors transform manufacturing with AI through large-scale private investment and strong government-led policies, the Korean government launched the M.AX Alliance to bring together capabilities across manufacturers, AI companies, academia and research institutions. Today, more than 1,500 companies and organizations across 11 divisions are working together on the use of manufacturing data, AX in production processes and the development of AI-embodied innovative products. Key projects include AI factories, on-site demonstrations of industrial robots and humanoids in manufacturing, and on-device AI semiconductors essential for AX products such as autonomous vehicles. In 2026, MOTIR will invest KRW 1.1 trillion in its AX budget to support wider adoption. Since its launch, the Alliance has produced initial results, including productivity gains among AI factory participants through lower defect rates, more efficient predictive equipment maintenance, liquidity support for companies facing financing constraints through closer links with the National Growth Fund, and the creation of a M.AX sub-fund under the Industry Growth Fund. In February 2026, MOTIR added an industrial complex AX division, establishing a foundation for AX at regional manufacturing sites and completing the M.AX Alliance’s “Best Eleven” structure. At the forum, speakers examined how M.AX can strengthen industrial competitiveness, reviewed strategies in different countries, and discussed technical priorities for applying M.AX at manufacturing sites. Participants also discussed upgrades to AI factory technologies, the need to secure technological sovereignty in manufacturing AI, Korea’s strengths in full-stack capabilities, and the importance of strengthening AI skills among the manufacturing workforce. “M.AX, the AI transformation of manufacturing, will be a critical factor in maintaining Korea’s industrial leadership and securing the country’s future competitiveness amid the global race for technological supremacy,” said Kim Sung-youl, Deputy Minister for Industry and Growth at MOTIR. “The government will focus on bringing AI into production processes and developing new AI-embodied products and services, so that manufacturing, one of Korea’s core assets, can secure world-leading competitiveness. We will also work closely with companies in the M.AX Alliance to deliver tangible results on the ground, including higher productivity and greater value added across industry.” Deputy Minister Kim added that MOTIR will also work to address labor shortages in key manufacturing industries and create new jobs through M.AX. Future M.AX conferences will be held as a series on topics such as data and robotics, while the Industrial Growth Forum will continue discussions across advanced technologies to develop a new growth model for Korean industry. date2026-05-20

KATS Certifies 28 New Technologies and Products to Drive Innovative Growth

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, Administrator Kim Daeja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will certify 28 new technologies and products on May 18, 2026, as future drivers of Korea’s innovation-led growth. They were selected from 411 technologies and products after a rigorous review, with competition reaching about 15 to 1. New Excellent Technology (NET) and New Excellent Product (NEP) certifications are granted to technologies first developed in Korea or technologies that significantly improve existing ones, as well as to commercialized products built around such technologies. Certified technologies and products receive public procurement support, including mandatory purchasing by public institutions and priority purchasing of technology-developed products. They also qualify for benefits such as preferential access to SME policy loans and additional points in government program applications, helping technology-driven SMEs grow through procurement, financing, and other support. For NET certification, KATS received applications for 170 technologies and selected 12 outstanding technologies across five fields: electrical and electronics, information and communications, nuclear power and renewable energy, chemistry and life sciences, and construction and environment. In the nuclear power and renewable energy field, KATS selected a passive hydrogen recirculation ejector for fuel cells that uses the Coandă effect. The technology supplies and recirculates hydrogen without additional power, improving fuel cell efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. It is expected to help localize key fuel cell components. For NEP certification, KATS received applications for 241 products and certified 16 across five fields: electrical and electronics, information and communications, machinery and materials, chemistry and life sciences, and construction and environment. One notable product is the Magbot robot automatic tool changer, which uses switching magnetic technology. It allows a single robot to change tools on its own and perform various processes. By consuming electricity only when tools are attached or detached, the product maximizes efficiency and is expected to support manufacturing automation and expand into construction, medical services, and other industries. “The newly certified technologies and products are expected to become tangible growth drivers for the Korean economy,” KATS Administrator Kim Daeja said. “The government will continue to expand support, including priority purchasing by public institutions and overseas expansion programs, to help these companies grow into global unicorns.” date2026-05-18

M.AX to Drive Smarter, Safer Manufacturing at Ulsan-Mipo Industrial Complex

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a meeting of the Ulsan M.AX Innovation Network in Industrial Complexes (MINI) Alliance at the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency (UIPA) on May 13, 2026, to discuss the M.AX strategy for Ulsan’s petrochemical sector and ways to expand it across the region. The meeting brought together manufacturing companies, AI firms, universities, research institutes and local governments.  The meeting marked the first time Minister Kim chaired a MINI Alliance meeting since MOTIR launched the Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee under the M.AX Alliance and 10 MINI Alliances in February 2026. The Ulsan-Mipo National Industrial Complex is Korea’s largest hub for automobiles, shipbuilding and petrochemicals, and has symbolized the growth of Korea’s key industries since the 1960s. It is also one of Korea’s leading petrochemical clusters, representing 48 percent of companies, 45 percent of production and 43 percent of exports across the country’s three main petrochemical complexes—Ulsan, Yeosu and Daesan—and underpinned by more than 60 years of process operation expertise and industrial data. Ahead of the meeting, Minister Kim visited SK Energy’s plant, a lead site where petrochemical AX is being demonstrated in an industrial complex setting. There, he saw firsthand how AI models could support process, equipment and safety management. SK Energy is applying AI across its operations, including an AI virtual sensor that predicts diesel quality indicators at its Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit in real time, a predictive diagnosis algorithm that monitors vibration and temperature in rotating equipment, and on-site monitoring based on AI-powered video analysis. The Ulsan MINI Alliance is focusing on production process optimization, equipment predictive maintenance and safety management, areas where AI demand is strong across the petrochemical sector. AI models validated in Ulsan are expected to spread quickly to other industrial complexes and similar sectors nationwide. MOTIR will support the early development of leading M.AX models for petrochemicals at the Ulsan-Mipo National Industrial Complex and turn them into scalable examples. The effort is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s petrochemical industry against immediate challenges such as global oversupply and the recent situation in the Middle East. After the site visit, Lee Dong-gu, Chair of the Ulsan MINI Alliance, and Park Min-won, Chair of the Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee, gave presentations before a participant discussion. Participants supported the government’s industrial complex AX strategy and called for faster rollout, balanced data use and security, regulatory sandboxes and specialized workforce training. “Ulsan is a core manufacturing hub for Korea, with extensive industrial data and manufacturing capabilities,” Minister Kim said. “Through the Ulsan MINI Alliance, we will deploy AI models that optimize production, improve equipment integrity and prevent accidents, creating manufacturing sites that are more precise, faster and safer. We will make Ulsan a regional base for accelerating M.AX.” date2026-05-13

Ulsan-Mipo MINI Alliance Meeting

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) chaired the Ulsan-Mipo MINI Alliance Meeting at the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency (UIPA) on May 13, 2026. The meeting was attended by Lee Dong-gu, Chair of the Ulsan MINI Alliance; Park Min-won, Chair of the Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee; and participants from manufacturing companies, AI firms, universities, research institutes and local governments. Minister Kim delivered opening remarks and discussed Ulsan’s petrochemical M.AX strategy and regional rollout plans. “Through the Ulsan MINI Alliance, we will deploy AI models to optimize production, improve equipment integrity and prevent accidents, making manufacturing sites more precise, faster and safer,” Minister Kim said. date2026-05-13

Minister JK Kim Visits SK Energy’s Ulsan Plant

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited SK Energy’s Ulsan plant on May 13, 2026. The plant is a lead site for demonstrating petrochemical AX in an industrial complex setting. During the visit, Minister Kim heard from company officials about SK Energy’s operations and on-site challenges, and reviewed firsthand how AI models could support process, equipment and safety management. SK Energy is developing AI applications including real-time diesel quality prediction at its Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit, predictive diagnostics for rotating equipment, and AI-powered video monitoring. date2026-05-13

MOTIR and MOF Open the Era of Autonomous Ships with Data

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Minister Hwang Jong-woo) jointly held the launch ceremony for the AI Data Platform Project for Autonomous Ships in Seoul on May 7, 2026. Autonomous ships use AI models trained on data from sensors, navigation equipment and machinery systems to make operational decisions. The Project will systematically collect, standardize and make available real-world operating data generated at sea, which is essential for core functions such as collision avoidance, route optimization and fault prediction. Since December 2025, MOTIR and MOF have jointly operated the autonomous ships division of the M.AX Alliance and gathered input on the project from the shipbuilding, shipping and IT industries. Around 60 participants from industry, academia and research attended the launch ceremony, including shipbuilders, shipping companies, marine equipment suppliers, AI companies and research institutes. Participants also signed letters of intent with the project’s implementing organization, reaffirming their commitment to cooperate on sharing existing data, designating vessels for data collection and providing data-collection equipment. The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO), the implementing organization for the project, will collect around 100 types of data in eight core areas: autonomous navigation systems; navigation and maneuvering; engines and machinery; remote control and digital twins; communications and data; maritime traffic; weather; and safety and security. At the event, KRISO shared standard data formats and presented detailed plans for collecting real-world operating data. Park Dong-il, Director General for Industrial Policy at MOTIR, said, “The competitiveness of the autonomous ships that K-shipbuilding will build in the years ahead will ultimately depend on high-quality data. We should actively share and combine the data held by individual companies to build a world-class data bank.” He added, “The government will support data standardization, security and utilization systems to minimize the burden on companies.” Kim Hye-jung, Director General of the Shipping and Logistics Bureau at MOF, said, “Autonomous ships are central to the decarbonization and digitalization now reshaping the shipping and shipbuilding industries. The operational data accumulated through this project, which builds on cooperation between the two industries, will be one of the most important tools for engaging in international standard-setting.” She added, “MOF will also provide full policy support, including technology development and regulatory improvements.” The data collected under the project will be used to build high-quality datasets for training autonomous navigation AI, making them available to both large shipbuilders and small and medium-sized shipbuilders. The platform will also be linked to a KRW 600 billion technology development project for AI-enabled fully autonomous ships, scheduled to begin in 2026, and will support expanded demonstrations, commercialization and the incorporation of project outcomes into international standards. In the first half of 2026, MOTIR and MOF will also announce the first basic plan to promote the development and commercialization of autonomous ships. The plan will set out measures for technology development, demonstrations, industrial expansion, infrastructure, workforce training and leadership in international standards. Together, these measures will establish a systematic support framework for autonomous ships. date2026-05-07

Visit to Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) visited Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) on April 28, 2026, together with Rep. Lee Un-ju, chair of the Korea–Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Association.  The delegation reviewed manufacturing AI and logistics automation technologies and toured HMGICS facilities, including automated production lines and a digital command center. They also discussed implications for Korea’s M.AX initiative, which aims to accelerate AI transformation in manufacturing. date2026-04-29

Korea Launches Shipbuilding–Shipping Alliance under Next-Generation W.A.V.E. Strategy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Minister Hwang Jong-woo) held a launch ceremony in Seoul on April 28, 2026, for a strategic council to promote shared growth between the shipbuilding and shipping industries. The ceremony followed the two industry associations’ December 2025 agreement at the Strategic Meeting of the M.AX Alliance for Autonomous Ships to form the council. The event brought together more than 100 participants, including the ministers of MOTIR and MOF; Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS); the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA); the Korea Shipowners’ Association (KSA); and representatives from major Korean shipbuilders and shipping companies. The council will link Korea’s shipbuilding and shipping industries and build a maritime supply chain connecting Korean-built vessels with Korean-flag shipping. Led by KOSHIPA and KSA, it brings together shipbuilders, shipping companies, government officials, and academic experts under the W.A.V.E. strategy. The W.A.V.E. strategy sets out four goals: securing world-leading technologies (World Top Class); building industry alliances across shipbuilding and shipping (Alliance); expanding the Korean-flag fleet and securing orders for Korean shipbuilders (Vessel Production); and creating a shared-growth innovation ecosystem rooted in regional economies (Ecosystem). The two industries will identify detailed tasks for each goal and prepare an implementation plan by the end of 2026. The council will operate through expert task forces on technology development, demonstrations, vessel orders, financing and regulatory improvements, with quarterly meetings tied to policy proposals. As a first step in strategic cooperation, KOSHIPA and KSA adopted a declaration on joint orders for Korean-flag vessels to support the development of Korea’s shipbuilding and offshore cluster. The declaration will strengthen order links between Korean shipping companies and shipyards, helping shipping companies expand advanced fleets at competitive prices and giving shipbuilders and marine equipment suppliers a more stable order pipeline. KOGAS, KSA, and Korea’s three major shipbuilders also signed an MOU on LNG transportation. Under the MOU, they will work together to stabilize Korea’s LNG transport system amid growing resource security concerns and the need to strengthen the country’s energy transport capacity. The government and industry agreed to strengthen a one-team framework that aligns shipbuilding and shipping under a single industrial strategy, including technology development, demonstrations, and fleet expansion. MOTIR and MOF will jointly pursue regulatory improvements, budget support, demonstration infrastructure, and links with regional industrial bases, drawing on input from the field. Through the M.AX Alliance for Autonomous Ships, the two ministries will also launch a KRW 600 billion project in 2026 to develop fully autonomous AI-powered ships. They will support future-vessel technologies, including ammonia- and electric-powered eco-friendly ships and localized LNG cargo tanks, and discuss expanding MASGA, the Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project, to shipping and ports. “Shipbuilding and shipping are industries critical to Korea’s economic security,” said Minister Kim of MOTIR. “Today’s launch is significant because it puts in place an action-oriented framework for the two industries to shape and carry out work on market demand, technology, demonstrations, and regulatory improvements. Under the W.A.V.E. strategy, I hope shipbuilding and shipping will move forward together into a new phase of growth.” Minister Kim added, “MOTIR will work closely with MOF to ensure that the cooperation announced today, including joint orders, future-vessel technology developm date2026-04-28

On-Site Visit and Roundtable with Reshoring Companies

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited Kolmar Korea, a cosmetics manufacturer in Jeonui-myeon, Sejong, on April 27, 2026. Kolmar Korea was selected as the first company under Korea’s 2026 reshoring program. Minister Kim toured key facilities at Kolmar Korea’s plant before chairing a roundtable with reshoring companies. The meeting was attended by representatives from related organizations and companies, including the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX), Hanwha Engine and Simmtech. At the roundtable, Minister Kim said secure and stable supply chains now define the competitiveness of companies and countries alike, and that the government will provide full support so that reshoring and regional investment become a more rational and attractive choice. date2026-04-28

M.AX Requires Speed: MOTIR Moves to Align Policy with Industry Pace

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a special lecture for MOTIR staff on April 24, 2026, delivered by Park Min-won, president of Changwon National University and chair of the M.AX Alliance’s Industrial Complex AX Division. Held under the theme “Manufacturing, the Heart of Korea’s Economy, Opens the Future through M.AX,” the lecture was designed to help MOTIR officials build the policy capacity needed to support M.AX implementation on the ground. The Industrial Complex AX Division was established on February 26, 2026, as the 11th division of the M.AX Alliance. On April 17, 2026, it held its first meeting, with the chairs of the 10 MINI Alliances joining as division members. As industrial complex AX moves into full implementation, MOTIR invited President Park to speak to staff based on his work with the ministry at the forefront of M.AX and his efforts to bring together industry, academia and research institutions. In the lecture, President Park briefed MOTIR staff on the background to M.AX, why M.AX is urgently needed, and specific implementation plans. He noted that as global industrial leadership shifts, technology competition is intensifying, making demonstration projects essential to help reduce the investment burden on companies adopting AI technologies. He also shared direct feedback from companies on demand for AX, bringing field-level perspectives into the discussion. Minister JK Kim said, “MOTIR will use this lecture as an opportunity to narrow the gap between policy and the field, renew the sense of urgency behind M.AX policy implementation, and strengthen its internal capacity. The ministry will also continue engaging with field experts to expand opportunities for policy officials to better understand the pace and needs of industry.” date2026-04-24