Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

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 Kim Jung-kwan) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Thomas Byrne, President of The Korea Society, in Seoul on Tuesday, November 4, 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 friendly cooperation between Korea and the United States through a wide range of policy forums, seminars, and educational programs across politics, economics, culture, and education. Minister Yeo highlighted that Korea has been actively contributing to the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing and job creation through large-scale greenfield investments, while also becoming one of the key importers of U.S. energy and agricultural products such as LNG and crude oil. He underscored the close trade and investment ties between the two countries and noted that if the USD 150 billion in direct investment plans announced by Korean companies in August and the USD 350 billion strategic investment MoU agreed through the Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations on October 29 are implemented as planned, bilateral industrial supply chains will be further strengthened. Minister Yeo also conveyed Korean companies’ concerns regarding 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 attention and support for fundamental solutions, emphasizing the need to improve visa systems—by ensuring smooth entry and stable investment conditions for Korean business personnel in the short term, and by considering the establishment of a new visa category for Korean professionals over 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. The meeting reviewed recent developments in economic security and discussed (1) measures to stabilize the rare earth supply chain, (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 has launched an inter-ministerial task force on rare earth supply chains (established on October 16) to prevent adverse impacts on Korean companies and operates a Rare Earth Supply Response Center to help them secure stable supplies. 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 designation of recyclable resources, easing import-guarantee requirements, and providing tariff relief are expected to deliver tangible reductions in 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 nurture leading companies, and strengthen 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, a KRW 250 billion Critical Minerals and Energy Supply Chain Stabilization Fund will be established to boost direct and indirect investments and introduce special loan programs for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs). The government will also establish a differentiated support system based on supply chain criticality and contribution 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 Kim Jung-kwan) announced that it is hosting the Invest KOREA Summit (IKS), Korea’s largest foreign investment promotion event, from October 30 to 31 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 opening session of 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 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 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 in Gyeongju 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 (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 help 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 cent date2025-10-30

Korean Companies Going Global Beyond APEC

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) 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 at the Gyeongju Arts Center, the CEO Summit is one of APEC’s two main cooperation platforms, serving as a vital 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 leading 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 proposals. 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, at the Gyeongju Arts Center and Expo Park) has been specially organized for this year’s APEC CEO Summit hosted by Korea. The forum will present a vision for the future of Korean industries and create new markets and business opportunities for Korean companies. Global industry leaders, tech enterprises, 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, Expo Park), featuring Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Group, and Hyundai Motor Company, will serve as a major platform to demonstrate the cutting-edge technological competitiveness of Korean companies. In addition, during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, MOTIR will host a variety of related events across Korea—including Seoul and other major cities—focusing on exports, investment, and innovation. Boom-Up Korea Week (October 21–November 7, 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, Seoul) will include investment signing ceremonies, conferences, forums, and consultations, and is expected to yield tangible results in attracting foreign investment in advanced industries and supply chain sectors. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Global Super Gap Tech Conference (October 28–29, Seoul) will support Korean deep-tech startups in securing new technology strategies, fostering their growth and accelerating their glob date2025-10-28

Korea and IDB Discuss Expanding Korea–Latin America Trade and Investment Cooperation

Yeo Han-Koo, Trade Minister at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), met with Anabel González, Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in Seoul on Thursday, October 23, to exchange views on the global trade environment and discuss ways to expand trade and investment cooperation between Korea and Latin America. During the meeting, Minister Yeo highlighted that Latin America—with a population of about 690 million and a GDP of around USD 7 trillion—is a vast market endowed with abundant natural resources such as lithium and copper. He stressed that amid the rise of protectionism and resource nationalism worldwide, Latin America is an important partner for Korea in diversifying markets and strengthening supply chain resilience. The minister noted that expanding trade and investment between Korea and Latin America would generate mutual benefits such as greater production and trade growth. He proposed three key directions for future cooperation: (1) diversifying trade through broader economic networks, (2) expanding collaboration in critical minerals, defense, and infrastructure, and (3) promoting private-sector investment through close government-to-government dialogue and cooperation. He also requested the IDB’s advice and support in further strengthening Korea–Latin America trade and investment, given its extensive regional network and expertise. Finally, Minister Yeo stated that MOTIR is currently supporting industrial technology and green energy development in several Latin American countries—including Colombia, Honduras, Paraguay, and Guatemala—through official development assistance (ODA) projects. He proposed that Korea and the IDB jointly identify and design new ODA initiatives to further advance industrial development in the region. Minister Yeo also emphasized that Korea, home to many globally competitive enterprises, is an ideal partner for Latin America’s economic development, and requested the IDB’s cooperation in expanding Korean companies’ participation in IDB-led projects.   date2025-10-24

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo Meets IDB Vice President

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met with Anabel González, Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to discuss ways to expand trade and investment cooperation between Korea and Latin America. date2025-10-24

Korea’s Auto Industry Continues Growth Streak in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced on October 20 that Korea’s automobile exports, domestic sales, and production all increased year-on-year in September, marking the third consecutive month of growth. This was partly due to more working days compared to last year, when the Chuseok holiday fell in September. Automobile exports rose 16.8 percent year-on-year to USD 6.4 billion, the highest September level on record, with cumulative exports for January–September also reaching an all-time high of $54.1 billion. Eco-friendly vehicle exports surpassed 90,000 units for the first time, with electric vehicle (EV) exports increasing 38.9 percent and maintaining growth for the fourth consecutive month. Cumulative EV exports for January–September also turned positive for the first time this year, up 0.2 percent year-on-year. Domestic automobile sales grew 20.8 percent to 158,000 units, the highest monthly total since November 2023. EV sales jumped 135 percent to a record 29,000 units, pushing cumulative EV sales for January–September to 170,000 units, up 57.5 percent year-on-year and surpassing the previous annual record for domestic EV sales. Automobile production increased 8.9 percent to 334,000 units, bringing cumulative production for the first nine months to over 3 million vehicles.   date2025-10-21

Boom-Up Korea Week 2025 Opening Ceremony

Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources attended the Boom-Up Korea Week 2025 Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, October 21, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.  The event was joined by KOTRA President and CEO Kang Kyung Sung, officials from related organizations, and representatives from about 4,000 promising export companies in the materials, parts, and equipment (MPE), ICT, services, and consumer goods sectors.  Minister Yeo participated in the opening performance of the event and toured the Boom-Up Week theme hall, corporate exhibition hall, and consultation hall showcasing Korea’s key export industries.   date2025-10-21