Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Tariff Response 119 Expands On-Site Support System

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) announced that Minister Kim chaired a roundtable with steel and aluminum derivative companies and visited the “Tariff Response 119 (1600-7119)” site at KOTRA on Monday, September 22. The visit was arranged to hear directly from companies most affected by U.S. tariff measures on steel and aluminum derivatives and to review the operation of the Tariff Response 119 support system. At the meeting, MOTIE announced plans to upgrade the existing Tariff Response 119 service into “Tariff Response 119 Plus.” Since its launch in February, Tariff Response 119 has received and provided consultations on 7,708 tariff-related cases as of September 18, establishing itself as an integrated consultation channel. However, challenges remained in resolving multi-agency issues and incorporating feedback into new policies and services. To address this, MOTIE will expand the functions of Tariff Response 119 beyond case reception, consultation, and program guidance to include resolving issues through inter-agency collaboration and feeding results back into new services and policies. Agencies attending the event, including the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, the Korea Institute of Origin Information, and other related organizations, will designate 119 officers to ensure issues that cannot be resolved by KOTRA alone are followed through to completion. MOTIE will continue to expand collaboration with export-related organizations and reflect analysis of tariff issue types and best practices into new services and policies. New services reflecting on-site needs will also be launched this month, including: (1) support for submitting company position papers on tariff issues to the U.S. government, (2) consulting on applications for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) e-ruling system, and (3) assistance in responding to CBP post-verification data requests. A specialized support program for steel and aluminum derivative companies will also be introduced, featuring a dedicated consultation desk and one-on-one advisory services with local U.S. experts. During the roundtable, industry representatives raised three main concerns: (1) declining price competitiveness due to tariffs, (2) difficulties in calculating content value for derivative products, and (3) limited access to tariff-related information. In response, MOTIE and related agencies pledged to accelerate implementation of the “Post-U.S. Tariff Negotiation Support Measures” announced on September 3 and to strengthen policy feedback through Tariff Response 119 Plus. Following the roundtable, Minister Kim visited the Steel Derivatives Tariff Response Briefing and Consultation Session held at KOTRA. The event provided around 200 steel and aluminum derivative companies with accurate updates on U.S. tariff policies and strategies to mitigate tariff burdens. More than 100 affected companies also took part in one-on-one consultations with lawyers and customs experts from Korea and the United States for tailored advice. Furthermore, a dedicated support booth was set up to showcase the “Ten On-Site Support Programs” announced on September 3, covering short-term management support, steel derivatives, burden reduction, and alternative market development, giving companies hands-on access to government services. Minister Kim toured the booth with a participating company (STU), checking tariff rates by HS code through the online tariff system and reviewing content value calculations for steel and aluminum derivatives. He then visited the consultation area to hear directly from company representatives. Minister Kim stressed, “In today’s changing trade environment, the priority is to develop support measures that reflect companies’ on-site needs. We will steadily implement the expansion of Tariff Response 119 into Tariff Response 119 date2025-09-23

Korea-South Africa Insight Forum cohosted by MOTIE and South African Embassy to ROK

The economic cooperation with the Republic of South Africa (herein referred to as RSA) is expected to be invigorated. RSA is the largest economy in Africa and one of the emerging markets among the Global South countries. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Jung-kwan KIM, herein referred to as MOTIE) held the Korea-South Africa Insight Forum in collaboration with the South African Embassy in Seoul (Ambassador Sindi Mququ) to expand cooperation with RSA, this year's host to G20 Summit on Wednesday, 17 September at the Diplomacy Center located in Yangjae-dong. * RSA, which recorded the largest GDP (400.2 billion dollars) in Africa as of 2024, is Korea’s second largest trading partner in Africa with its trading volume standing at 3.3 billion dollars. The upcoming G20 trade and investment ministerial meeting to be held on 10 October and the G20 Summit scheduled from 22 to 23 November will serve as a momentum to promote the intergovernmental exchange by high-ranking officials from ROK and RSA. Therefore, the participants in the forum discussed various areas for cooperation including manufacturing, supply chain, energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure development. * The participants included Mr. Jongchul Kim, Director General, Bureau of International Trade relations at MOTIE; Ms. Sindi Mququ, Ambassador Young-chae Kim, Chairman of the Korea-Africa Foundation, South African Ambassador to Korea; Mr Timothy Dickens, Chairman of the SA Chamber of Commerce in Seoul; Mr Jong-woo Lee, team leader of Hyosung Heavy Industry; Dr Moon-su Kang, of KIEP; Mr Sang-hyun Seo, chief researcher of POSCO Research Institute; Mr Sung-hyuck Yoon, advisor of DR AJU and former executive officer for African market of Samsung Electronics. In particular, as RSA has recently been focusing on modernization of power infrastructure and supply of clean energy to stabilize power supply and conduct energy transition, Korea is highly likely to cooperate with RSA since Korea holds excellent capability in technologies especially for power generation facility, grid, ESS (Energy Storage System). RSA is also rich in critical minerals, with its production of platinum, manganese, and chrome ranking first in the world. Therefore, a possibility to cooperate in supply chain of critical minerals was also explored in the forum. In addition, the forum also addressed ways to expand trade between Korea and Africa, leveraging RSA as a foothold to cooperate with the South African region as well as the Pan African market, with the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mr. Jongchul Kim, Director General, bureau of International Trade relations at MOTIE, said “RSA is the gateway for Korea to expand cooperation with Africa. This year’s G20 Summit will serve as a momentum for Korea to seek ways to cooperate with RSA in areas including trade, investment, industry and energy.” In response, Ms. Sindi Mququ, South African Ambassador to Korea said “Through South Africa’s G20 Presidency, we are mobilising finance for Just Energy Transition and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and development. Therefore, South Africa-South Korea collaboration is of critical importance and mutually beneficial”. date2025-09-17

The 4th Korea–Vietnam Plus Joint Working Group Meeting

Kim Jong-chul, Director General for International Trade Relations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), co-chaired the 4th Korea–Vietnam Plus Joint Working Group meeting at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on Monday, September 15, 2025. The meeting was attended virtually by Do Quoc Hung, Deputy Director General for Foreign Market Development at Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as delegations from both governments and representatives from KEPCO, KOTRA, GS1 Korea, and other related organizations. After the opening remarks, the two sides reviewed bilateral trade and investment trends, implementation plans for the MOU on nuclear energy workforce development, and follow-up measures from the recent summit. date2025-09-16

MOTIE Holds Director-Level Meetings with Vietnam

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) announced that it held virtual meetings with Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance on Friday, September 12, and with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on Monday, September 15. The discussions focused on implementing the outcomes of the Korea-Vietnam summit in August, held during General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Korea, and on follow-up measures.   The first director-level meeting between MOTIE and Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance on September 12 was co-chaired by Kim Jong-chul, Director General for International Trade Relations, and Do Van Su, Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency. Participants included representatives from the Korean Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea, and related organizations such as the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, and the Korea Federation of Textile Industries. Discussions addressed key business challenges, including: (1) prompt resolution of delayed VAT refunds for Korean textile companies operating in Vietnam, (2) succession of special incentives following HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering’s acquisition of Doosan Vina, and (3) timely support for the implementation of the global minimum tax. The two sides also reviewed proposals from the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance on cooperation in supply chains, energy, infrastructure development, and collaboration between public enterprises under both ministries. While the two ministries have previously co-hosted the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, this meeting marked the establishment of their first regular consultation mechanism. Both sides agreed to use this meeting as a starting point for continued cooperation in foreign investment, corporate support, and infrastructure development, including nuclear power and supply chains. The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance noted that although VAT refunds and incentive succession fall under local government jurisdiction, it is also conducting direct consultations at the ministry level. The ministry added that it will actively support Korean companies on other challenges such as stable power supply and infrastructure expansion. On September 15, the fourth Korea-Vietnam Plus Joint Working Group meeting was held, co-chaired by Kim Jong-chul and Do Quoc Hung, Deputy Director General for Foreign Market Development at Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. Participants included officials from both embassies, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, GS1 Korea, KEPCO, and other relevant organizations. Launched in September 2023, the Joint Working Group serves as a director-level hotline platform for discussing trade and investment promotion measures toward the shared goal of expanding bilateral trade to USD 150 billion by 2030. In addition to trade and investment cooperation, the platform also addresses challenges faced by Korean companies operating in Vietnam. At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the status of bilateral trade and investment and discussed action plans to achieve the USD 150 billion trade target by 2030. They also examined follow-up measures from the summit, including plans for an MOU on nuclear energy workforce development. The Korean side requested support to address challenges facing Korean renewable energy investors in Vietnam, particularly regarding electricity sales, as well as improvements to the regulatory framework for participation in LNG power projects. The Vietnamese side responded that it is actively seeking solutions with relevant ministries and agencies and will share the results promptly. MOTIE stated that it will continue to actively support Korean investors in Vietnam by operating multilayered consultation channels such as the ministerial-level Korea-Vietnam Joint Industrial Committee and the Korea-Vietnam FTA Joint Committee, enabling date2025-09-16

Korea Holds K-FEZ Day 2025 to Boost Global Investment in Free Economic Zones

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) hosted K-FEZ Day 2025 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Thursday, September 4, to expand global investment in Korean Free Economic Zones (KFEZs). The event drew nearly 240 participants, including members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from foreign chambers of commerce, and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in Korea. It served as a platform to promote the investment appeal and future growth visions of KFEZs by highlighting strategic industries within the zones, the Korean government’s AI policy and outlook, and success stories from FIEs. The Korean government’s key policy initiatives include stimulating investment through regulatory innovation; fostering cutting-edge technologies and future industries; and establishing an investment environment that meets global standards. Accordingly, KFEZs are being developed into clusters for future high-tech industries, such as semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, bio, and clean energy, while offering new investment opportunities to global investors. Speaking at the event, Industries and Enterprises Deputy Minister Oh Seung-cheol stated, “Korea strives to establish an open and reliable investment environment where global businesses can invest with confidence, leveraging our world-class manufacturing competitiveness and exceptional human resources.” He also called for continued interest in KFEZs as major economic hubs and encouraged active promotion of these zones to potential investors. K-FEZ Day 2025 marks the second consecutive year for the event. MOTIE plans to continue leveraging its network with the diplomatic corps and global companies to develop tailored promotional strategies, positioning KFEZs as both Korea’s premier investment hubs and global innovation clusters. date2025-09-05

Korea’s Trade Minister Discusses Economic Cooperation and Trade Issues with UK Counterpart

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with the UK’s Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander in Seoul on September 1. The two sides exchanged views on industrial and trade policy directions in the current global trade environment and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation. The UK is Korea’s 25th-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling $11.2 billion in 2024. Since the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in January 2011, trade between the two countries has remained strong. The UK is also one of Korea’s major investment partners, ranking 3rd among European countries in cumulative investment in Korea as of 2024. Active investment and technological partnerships between companies from both countries serve as the foundation for bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Trade Minister Yeo confirmed active industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries, citing ongoing Korea-UK FTA upgrade negotiations and supply chain dialogues. He emphasized the importance of building on shared values, such as liberal democracy and the market economy, to sustain a strong economic partnership. Furthermore, he expressed hope that the UK’s industrial and trade strategies announced in June would further strengthen bilateral ties. Regarding the introduction of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Trade Minister Yeo highlighted the need for sufficient preparation time and measures to ease burdens on businesses. He also requested the UK government to support Korean companies in adapting to recently strengthened steel safeguard measures and the Electric Car Grant system. date2025-09-03

Korea’s Exports Rise 1.3% in August

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on September 1 that Korea’s exports in August 2025 grew 1.3 percent year-on-year to USD 58.4 billion, while imports fell 4.0 percent to $51.9 billion. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $6.5 billion. Daily average exports for the month, factoring in the number of working days, also rose 5.8 percent to $2.6 billion. Despite having one fewer working day than a year earlier, August exports maintained an upward trajectory and set a monthly record for the third consecutive month. Of Korea’s 15 major export categories, three posted growth in August. Semiconductor exports surged 27.1 percent to $15.1 billion, setting a new all-time high just two months after the previous record. This growth was driven by rising contract prices and sustained global demand from downstream industries, such as the server market. Automobile exports rose 8.6 percent to $5.5 billion for the third consecutive month, supported by increased exports of used cars and eco-friendly vehicles, including electric and hybrid models. Ship exports grew for the sixth straight month (up 11.8 percent to $3.1 billion), fueled by deliveries of vessels ordered in 2022 and 2023. By region, exports increased in three out of nine major markets. Exports to ASEAN climbed 11.9 percent to $10.9 billion, the highest August figure on record and the third straight month of growth, driven by strong performance in semiconductors and ships. Exports to CIS countries (up 9.2 percent to $1.1 billion) grew for the sixth consecutive month, while those to the Middle East edged up 1.0 percent to $1.4 billion, returning to positive growth after one month. MOTIE Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated, “To minimize tariff impacts on small- and mid-sized companies, the ministry plans to announce and implement supportive measures in early September, focusing on three areas: ①easing burdens through short-term operation assistance and boosting domestic demand, ②diversifying export markets to sustain momentum, and ③strengthening the fundamental competitiveness of core and promising industries.” date2025-09-02

Korea Trade Commission Recommends Price Undertakings for Chinese Hot-rolled Steel Plates

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held its 463rd KTC meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, to deliberate and resolve one anti-dumping investigation and four intellectual property (IP) infringement investigations related to exports and imports. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of a new anti-dumping investigation. The deliberated anti-dumping case was launched in October 2024 against Chinese hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel plate imports. The KTC made a determination that dumped imports of these products caused material injury to the domestic industry. While calculating final anti-dumping duties at 27.91 to 34.10 percent for a five-year period, the KTC recommended that the Minister of Economy and Finance accept price undertakings proposed by nine Chinese exporters. Like anti-dumping duties, price undertakings serve as a trade remedy for domestic industries. This protective measure allows exporters to voluntarily set an initial minimum export price and quarterly price adjustment methods, and if violated, anti-dumping duties may be imposed. For Chinese exporters that did not suggest price undertakings, the KTC decided to recommend a five-year anti-dumping duty of 34.10 percent to the Minister of Economy and Finance. Currently, provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 27.91 to 38.02 percent are in effect for Chinese hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel plates (from April 24 to November 23, 2025). Of the four IP infringement investigations, three were found to constitute unfair trade practices, with respondents determined to have infringed the applicants’ rights. These cases included investigations into interlayers for head-up displays (launched in September 2024), uninterruptible power supply systems (launched in October 2024), and designs for fishing clamps (launched in January 2025). The KTC imposed corrective measures, including orders to halt manufacturing and export of the infringing goods, exclusion from import, and fines. Notably, the head-up display interlayer and uninterruptible power supply cases were investigations where the KTC adjudicated IP disputes between foreign companies, demonstrating the KTC’s potential to emerge as a global venue for IP dispute resolution. This reflects growing recognition of the KTC’s swift and impartial processes compared to traditional litigation. Meanwhile, the investigation into infringement of standard essential patents for connected cars, launched in December 2024, was concluded after the parties reached a licensing agreement. As the investigation process helped clarify contentious issues between the parties, their negotiations accelerated, ultimately leading to withdrawal of the complaint and termination of the investigation. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into polyvinyl chloride paste resin from Germany, France, Norway, and Sweden. The KTC will continue to systematically respond to the shifting global trade environment and address unfair trade practices, such as dumping and IP infringement. date2025-09-01

Trade Minister Meets U.S. Trade Representative

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on July 25 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to discuss ways to advance bilateral tariff negotiations. date2025-07-28

Minister Meets Chair of White House Energy Council

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with White House National Energy Council Chair Doug Burgum on July 24 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to explore measures to deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. date2025-07-28