Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

K-Consumer Goods Take Center Stage in New York as Korean Wave Captivates the U.S.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA, President and CEO Kang Kyung Sung) held the “Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo (KBEE) 2025 NEW YORK” from November 6 to 8, 2025, at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Now in its 25th edition, the KBEE leverages the growing global popularity of the Korean Wave to promote Korea's promising consumer goods and services, support their entry into overseas markets, and enhance brand recognition. As the first KBEE held in North America, this year’s edition was designed to expand the global reach of K-consumer goods and provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with more opportunities to engage directly with local consumers and buyers by linking K-culture and lifestyle products. The KBEE 2025 NEW YORK brought together 335 companies from Korea and abroad, attracting approximately 20,000 visitors over three days. About 100 Korean companies specializing in premium consumer goods, including K-beauty, food, and fashion, held export consultations with 235 buyers from North America and Latin America. The opening ceremony was attended by Lee Sang-ho, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Korea in New York, and KOTRA President Kang Kyung Sung. The event also featured celebratory performances and fan events with Hallyu ambassadors Ha Ji-won, Taemin, and Hwasa, further heightening the excitement. Amid the rising popularity of K-content in the United States, demand for K-consumer goods continues to grow. In 2024, K-beauty ranked first among imported cosmetics in the United States, while exports of K-food—led by products such as ramen and dried seaweed—increased by an annual average of 10 percent over the past decade, establishing a strong foothold in the local market. MOTIR leveraged the KBEE to support the overseas expansion of various Korean consumer goods and content, including K-food, K-beauty, and K-merchandise. To facilitate retail entry and expand sales, the ministry also organized O2O-based showcases in collaboration with major local distribution networks. In addition, MOTIR plans to hold another KBEE in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2025 to further diversify export markets for K-consumer goods. A MOTIR official stated, “The export strategy linking K-culture and K-consumer goods in North America has created meaningful momentum for SMEs seeking to expand overseas. We will continue to diversify export markets through events such as the New York and upcoming Malaysia KBEEs, and strengthen policy support to help K-consumer goods grow into global brands.” date2025-11-10

K-Beauty Expands Global Reach with New Export Models

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) visited the headquarters of SILICON2, a cosmetics distribution company, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to review Korea’s cosmetics export performance and hear firsthand from industry representatives about the challenges faced when entering global markets. Korea’s cosmetics exports reached a record USD 10.2 billion in 2024 and totaled USD 9.42 billion as of October 2025 (up 11.9 percent year-on-year). Export destinations are also diversifying beyond the U.S. and Japan to include Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. SILICON2, a cosmetics distribution specialist that operates StyleKorean.com—Korea’s largest e-commerce platform for cross-border direct-to-consumer (D2C) beauty sales—features over 500 Korean beauty brands in 150 countries. The company also runs MOIDA, a chain of overseas stores located in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Indonesia, further expanding its global presence. MOTIR plans to provide comprehensive support to help the rapidly growing K-beauty industry, driven by the global popularity of the Korean Wave, expand its presence in international markets. First, to promote D2C exports, the ministry will introduce new programs in 2026 to support the development of global online malls and delivery and payment service solutions. Second, through its consumer goods trade hubs, MOTIR will offer hands-on assistance to Korean cosmetics companies in addressing challenges such as logistics, certification, and legal compliance when entering overseas markets. Lastly, the ministry will actively support participation in major international beauty exhibitions and facilitate entry into local and global online and offline distribution channels. Trade Minister Yeo stated, “Korea’s cosmetics industry has strengthened its global presence with trendy products and innovative technologies, but growing protectionism and import regulations could pose challenges to future expansion. MOTIR will continue to identify and address these issues while fostering new export models, such as D2C exports, so that K-beauty can reach consumers around the world more directly.” date2025-11-07

Korea to Invest KRW 940.8 Billion in Advanced Medical Device R&D Over Seven Years

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon), the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong), and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, Minister Oh Yu-kyoung) announced plans to launch the second phase of the Inter-Ministerial Advanced Medical Device R&D Program, investing a total of KRW 940.8 billion (KRW 838.3 billion in government funding and KRW 102.5 billion in private investment) over seven years from 2026 to 2032. The program aims to develop six breakthrough medical devices that are world-first or world-leading, and to localize 13 essential medical devices. This inter-ministerial initiative will support the entire R&D cycle—from basic and fundamental research to commercialization, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. In particular, it will focus on future growth areas such as AI- and robotics-based medical devices, strengthening global competitiveness and fostering the medical device industry as a national growth engine. Building on the success of the first phase Inter-Ministerial Full-Cycle Medical Device R&D Program (2020–2024), the new initiative passed the preliminary feasibility study for national R&D programs in August 2025. During the first phase, a total of 467 projects were supported, resulting in 433 regulatory approvals (331 domestic and 102 overseas), 72 technology transfers, and 254 cases of commercialization over the past five years. Notable achievements include the localization of hemodialysis filters, which were previously fully imported, and the development of the world’s first AI-based stroke diagnostic support software. The government plans to continue full-cycle R&D support through this follow-up program to ensure these achievements are sustained. To that end, the four ministries held a joint briefing session on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to present details of the program’s second phase. The session aimed to improve understanding among researchers from industry, academia, research institutes, and medical institutions and to encourage active participation. It covered the program’s main features, participation guidelines for 2026 projects, and key schedules, followed by a Q&A session and on-site feedback. The government emphasized that this initiative is a cross-ministerial collaboration to support the development of advanced medical devices as a national growth driver and reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing communication with researchers to reflect their input and ensure the program’s successful implementation. date2025-11-06

Korea Hosts “Global Certification Trend 2025” to Support Consumer Goods Exporters

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) hosted the “Global Certification Trend 2025” event on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the SETEC Convention Center. The event was co-hosted with the Overseas Certification Support Network and major global certification bodies. The European Union has established the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to promote global environmental protection, including the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for textile products. The Cyber Resilience Act will also strengthen security requirements for digital products and mandate related certifications. Both measures are set to take effect in 2027. Meanwhile, Indonesia plans to make halal certification mandatory for food and cosmetics beginning in October 2026, and India is set to introduce BIS certification for machinery and electrical equipment in September 2026 to enhance industrial safety—reflecting a broader trend of tightening certification systems across emerging markets. The event was designed to help Korean companies prepare for these evolving global technical regulations and certification systems by providing updates on the latest certification trends in the United States, the EU, and emerging markets, focusing on consumer goods such as cosmetics, food, and textiles. It also introduced comprehensive export-support programs offered by organizations including KOTRA and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) to assist companies in developing export strategies for the coming year. In his keynote address, Professor Sung Yun-mo of Chung-Ang University presented on “Response Strategies for Korean Exporters Amid Global Trade Environment Changes,” outlining strategies for maintaining export competitiveness amid tightening trade regulations in major economies such as the U.S. and the EU. KATS President Kim Dae-ja stated, “Countries around the world are continuously strengthening their technical regulations and certification systems to protect their environment, safety, and industries. We will continue to strengthen overseas certification support services to help Korean exporters navigate complex certification procedures more efficiently and achieve greater export success.” date2025-11-05

190th CEO Forum for Mid-Sized Enterprises

Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, attended the 190th CEO Forum for Mid-Sized Enterprises held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Monday, November 3, 2025. The event was attended by around 100 participants, including Choi Jin-shik, Chairman of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea, as well as CEOs and executives from mid-sized enterprises. Minister Kim delivered a keynote speech on the theme “The New Age of Exploration.” date2025-11-05

Invest KOREA Conference

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources attended the Invest KOREA Conference held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.    The event brought together Invest KOREA CEO Kim Tae Hyung, along with representatives from government agencies, local governments, 300 foreign investors and media outlets, leading Korean and global companies, foreign chambers of commerce, and embassies.    Vice Minister Moon delivered congratulatory remarks at the event date2025-11-05

MOTIR and The Korea Society Explore Ways to Strengthen Korea–U.S. Cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Thomas Byrne, President of The Korea Society, in Seoul on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to exchange views on ways to enhance Korea–U.S. economic cooperation. Established in 1957, The Korea Society is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Korea and the United States through a wide range of policy forums, seminars, and educational programs across politics, economics, culture, and education. Trade Minister Yeo highlighted that Korea has been actively supporting the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing and job creation through large-scale greenfield investments, and has established itself as a major importer of U.S. energy and agricultural products such as LNG and crude oil. He underscored the close trade and investment ties between both countries and noted that implementing the USD 150 billion in direct investment plans announced by Korean companies in August 2025, along with the USD 350 billion strategic investment MOU reached as part of the Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations on October 29, 2025, would further strengthen bilateral industrial supply chains. Trade Minister Yeo also conveyed Korean companies’ concerns over the recent detention of Korean workers at a plant in Georgia, urging President Byrne to help ensure that such incidents do not recur. He requested The Korea Society’s support in developing fundamental solutions, emphasizing the need to ensure smooth entry and stable investment conditions for Korean business personnel in the short term, and to establish a new visa category in the longer term. date2025-11-04

Korea to Strengthen Supply Chain Stability for Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol presided over the 6th Supply Chain Stabilization Committee Meeting at the Government Complex Seoul on Friday, October 31, 2025. The meeting reviewed recent developments in economic security and discussed (1) measures to stabilize rare earth supply chains, (2) first-year achievements and improvement measures of the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund, and (3) strategies to promote recycling of critical minerals. Amid growing supply uncertainties surrounding rare earth elements due to China’s strengthened export controls, the government launched an inter-ministerial task force on rare earth supply chains (established on October 16, 2025) to prevent adverse impacts on Korean companies and operates a Rare Earth Supply Response Center to support supply stability. To strengthen crisis response capabilities in case of supply disruptions, the government will expand investment and financing for overseas resource development, promote technologies that reduce reliance on rare earth materials and the recycling of rare earth permanent magnets, and increase public stockpiling. Furthermore, the government will actively support critical mineral recycling. Aiming to achieve a 20 percent recycling rate for ten strategic critical minerals by 2030, the government has been operating a joint task force to build the industrial ecosystem and streamline related regulations. The new measures will shift the perception of recycled raw materials from “waste” to “resources” through institutional reforms. Expanding the scope of recyclable resource designation, easing import-guarantee requirements, and providing tariff relief are expected to tangibly reduce costs and administrative burdens for companies importing recycled raw materials. The government will also promote investment and financing through the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund to foster the recycling industry and leading firms, while strengthening fiscal support for facilities, equipment, R&D, and demonstration projects. Regular inter-ministerial meetings on critical mineral recycling will continue to explore policy and support improvements. Marking the first anniversary of the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund, the government is reviewing its performance and exploring ways to enhance its effectiveness. To increase the fund’s proactivity and efficiency, the government will establish a KRW 250 billion Critical Minerals and Energy Supply Chain Stabilization Fund to boost direct and indirect investments and introduce special loan programs for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will also establish a differentiated support system based on supply chain criticality and contributions to stabilization, while strengthening coordination with other policy finance institutions such as the Korea Development Bank. date2025-10-31

Record-Breaking Invest KOREA Summit Opens in Seoul

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it will host the Invest KOREA Summit (IKS), Korea’s largest foreign investment promotion event, from October 30 to 31, 2025, at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. This year’s summit, held in conjunction with the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, marks the largest IKS to date. The event features an investment declaration and R&D center designation ceremony, the Invest KOREA Conference, advanced industry seminars, startup pitching sessions, and a financial investor forum. More than 2,000 participants—including foreign investors, representatives from 300 international media outlets, leading Korean and global companies, foreign chambers of commerce, embassies, and government and local officials—are expected to attend. In his congratulatory remarks at the Invest KOREA Conference, Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak emphasized that “Korea is one of the most attractive destinations for global investors, and foreign investment has been a key driver of Korea’s industrial competitiveness.” He added, “Despite global economic uncertainty, Korea will continue to strengthen its advanced industry competitiveness, diversify export markets, and enhance foreign investment support systems to ensure the country remains a global business hub.” Under the theme “AI Innovation Partner, KOREA,” this year’s IKS focuses on promoting global investment in Korea’s AI ecosystem, aligning with the government’s goal of positioning the nation among the world’s top three AI powerhouses. At the conference, Kim Yu-won, CEO of NAVER Cloud, and Baek Joon-ho, CEO of FuriosaAI, delivered keynote speeches on Sovereign AI technology development and next-generation AI innovation. Experts at the event also discussed how AI is reshaping industrial structures and investment trends, highlighting strategies to attract global investment—such as improving Korea’s investment environment and leveraging supply chains—to strengthen the country’s leadership in the AI ecosystem. During the summit, seven global companies in sectors such as semiconductors, future mobility, offshore wind power, advanced materials, and K-culture-related content and food participated in an investment declaration ceremony totaling USD 550 million. Combined with the USD 9 billion in investment plans announced the previous day under the “Global Corporate Investment Partnership,” this marks the largest-ever foreign investment commitments secured through the IKS. Key Highlights and Participating Companies in the Investment Declaration Ceremony on October 30, 2025 (Offshore Wind) 1. Ocean Winds (Spain): A leading global developer and operator of offshore wind power, planning to establish a floating offshore wind farm in Ulsan and expand cooperation across Korea’s offshore wind supply chain. (Semiconductors) 2. Tokyo Electron (Japan): A global leader in semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment, expected to strengthen Korea’s semiconductor equipment supply chain. (Future Mobility) 3. Valeo (France): A leading company specializing in advanced autonomous driving sensors and perception systems, expanding its production facilities and research centers in Korea for autonomous systems while continuing investment in air-conditioning systems, battery modules, and other related areas. (Advanced Materials) 4. BASF (Germany): The world’s largest chemical company, expanding specialty chemical production facilities in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do. (Advanced Materials) 5. Mitsui Chemicals (Japan): One of Japan’s three major chemical companies, enhancing technological cooperation with Korean partners to establish next-generation supply chains. (Content) 6. HAPPYTUK (Taiwan): A PC and mobile game publisher and operator, establishing a new AI R&D center for game date2025-10-30

Korean Companies Going Global Beyond APEC

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that, in collaboration with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and other relevant organizations, it will host a series of business events during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, including the APEC CEO Summit, side events, and export and investment programs. Taking place from October 28 to 31, 2025, at the Gyeongju Arts Center, the CEO Summit is one of APEC’s two main cooperation platforms, serving as a bridge between policy and markets. The event will bring together heads of state from APEC member economies, global CEOs, and thought leaders to discuss key global issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change, while exploring innovative ideas and practical solutions. This year’s Summit, held under the theme “Bridge, Business, Beyond,” will feature 20 sessions covering topics such as AI and digital transformation, regional economic integration, sustainability, finance and investment, and biotechnology and health. Approximately 1,700 global business leaders are expected to participate in shaping the future of APEC. Among the speakers, President Lee Jae Myung and other APEC leaders will deliver special addresses. CEOs from major global companies—including NVIDIA, Citigroup, and Amazon Web Services (AWS)—as well as the Secretary-General of the OECD and heads of other international organizations, will also attend to share insights through presentations and discussions. APEC, with its voluntary, consensus-based decision-making structure and open, cooperative framework, has long served as an “incubator of ideas,” advancing innovative policy initiatives. Since its launch in 1996, the APEC CEO Summit has played a central role in driving these efforts. As a side event to the CEO Summit, the Future-Tech Forum (six sessions in total, October 27–28 and 30, 2025, at the Gyeongju Arts Center and Expo Park) has been specially organized this year to present a vision for the future of Korean industries and create new markets and business opportunities for Korean companies. Global industry leaders, tech companies, and renowned scholars are expected to share in-depth insights across key sectors such as AI, shipbuilding, and defense. Major sessions include the AI Forum—featuring AWS, OpenAI, and Meta—and the Shipbuilding Forum, joined by companies such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, Anduril, and Siemens, where participants will explore avenues of collaboration with Korean firms. Meanwhile, the K-Tech Showcase (October 28–31, 2025, Expo Park), featuring Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Group, and Hyundai Motor Company, will serve as a major platform to showcase the technological competitiveness of Korean companies. During the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, MOTIR will also host related events across Korea—including Seoul and other major cities—focusing on exports, investment, and innovation. Boom-Up Korea Week (October 21–November 7, 2025, held nationwide in Seoul, Ilsan, Busan, and Daegu) will feature large-scale export consultations connecting over 1,700 international buyers with Korean companies through 28 industry exhibitions nationwide, boosting export growth for Korean businesses. The Invest KOREA Summit (October 30–31, 2025, Seoul) will include investment signing ceremonies, conferences, forums, and consultations, and is expected to generate tangible investment outcomes in advanced industries and supply chain sectors. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Global Super Gap Tech Conference (October 28–29, 2025, Seoul) will support Korean deep-tech startups in developing new technology strategies, fostering their growth and accelerating their global market expansion. To maximize synergy across these events, MOTIR established an date2025-10-28