Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea to Promote Balanced Regional Growth Through FDI

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) convened the third Central–Local Government Policy Council on Foreign Direct Investment on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Chaired by Director-General for Trade and Investment Kang Gam-chan, the meeting brought together representatives from 13 metropolitan cities and provinces, along with five Free Economic Zone (FEZ) authorities, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Invest KOREA), and the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX), to discuss FDI attraction strategies to support Korea’s transition from a Seoul Capital Area-centered, single-core structure to a regionally led, multi-core structure built around the Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces. Approximately 75 percent of Korea’s FDI inflows from 1998 to 2024 were concentrated in the Seoul Capital Area, suggesting that regional imbalances persisted even after taking Korea’s capital-region-centered economic structure into account. Against this backdrop, the council discussed policy directions to use FDI to promote growth across Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces and to attract more foreign investment to regional areas, particularly in advanced technologies, critical supply chains, and other strategic industries. Participants also discussed measures to encourage investment and accelerate implementation, including strategic investor relations (IR) outreach, support for foreign investment zones, and efforts to address on-the-ground business difficulties.  At the meeting, Director-General Kang said, “MOTIR will expand incentives, including cash grants, to steer FDI toward key regional hubs.” Representatives of metropolitan cities and provinces also pledged to step up efforts to attract foreign investment by building on their regional strengths. MOTIR will incorporate industry feedback and expert input from the meeting into its 2026 FDI policy agenda. The ministry will also continue to strengthen central–local coordination by holding semiannual councils on FDI and trade. date2025-12-10

Korea’s Exports Hit Record High in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced on December 1 that Korea’s exports in November 2025 rose 8.4 percent year-on-year to USD 61.0 billion, the highest on record for November and marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, while imports increased 1.2 percent to $51.3 billion. The trade balance posted a surplus of $9.7 billion. Cumulative exports for January–November reached $640.2 billion, setting a new record for the period for the first time in three years. On a daily average basis, exports came to $2.7 billion, up 13.3 percent year-on-year and the highest November level on record. By item, six of Korea’s 15 major export categories posted growth. Semiconductor exports jumped 38.6 percent to $17.3 billion, an all-time monthly high, driven by strong data-center demand for high-value memory and rising memory prices. Automobile exports rose 13.7 percent to $6.4 billion on strong sales of hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Exports of wireless communication devices increased 1.6 percent to $1.7 billion, supported by higher shipments of mobile phone components. Secondary battery exports rose 2.2 percent to $670 million, driven by ESS demand. In contrast, petroleum products exports fell 10.3 percent to $3.3 billion due to reduced shipments, while petrochemical exports declined 14.1 percent to $3.1 billion amid continued downward price pressure from global oversupply. By region, exports increased in five of Korea’s nine major markets. Exports to the United States were broadly flat, edging down 0.2 percent to $10.4 billion, as robust semiconductor and automobile shipments were offset by weaker exports of steel, general machinery, and auto parts amid tariff-related pressures. Exports to China rose 6.9 percent to $12.1 billion, supported by semiconductors, petroleum products, and general machinery, and remained above $11.0 billion for the third straight month. Exports to ASEAN increased 6.3 percent to $10.4 billion on semiconductor demand, while exports to the Middle East, CIS countries, and India also posted solid gains. Exports to the EU, Japan, and Latin America, however, declined across the board. MOTIR Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim stated, “Korea’s exports continued their upward trajectory for the sixth consecutive month in November, a meaningful achievement that reflects the ability of Korean companies to turn challenges into opportunities, especially at a time when expanding global protectionism, including U.S. tariffs, is weighing on export conditions.” He added, “With the November 26 introduction of the Special Act for Korea–U.S. Strategic Investment Management, tariff-reduction requirements for automobile and parts makers have now been met, easing uncertainty over shipments to the U.S. market. The government will strengthen policy support to ensure Korea’s exports maintain their growth momentum into December and continue to play a central role in driving economic recovery and growth.” date2025-12-01

MOTIR Attends the 29th Korea–Latin America Business Forum

Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), attended the 29th Korea–Latin America Business Forum held on Friday, November 28, at COEX in Seoul. The event was co-hosted with the Korean Council on Latin America and the Caribbean and brought together diplomatic representatives from 18 Latin American countries, Korean companies operating in the region, and officials from trade and investment support institutions to review business conditions in Latin America and discuss cooperation on critical minerals and supply-chain resilience. In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Minister Park underscored the government’s commitment to expand cooperation with Latin American partners through various platforms and dialogues, while actively supporting Korean companies seeking to enter regional markets. date2025-11-28

Korea’s Retail Industry Grows 6.7% in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced on November 26 that Korea’s retail industry grew 6.7 percent year-on-year in October 2025, with offline sales up 6.6 percent and online sales up 6.8 percent. MOTIR’s monthly retail sales figures are based on surveys of 23 major retailers, comprising 13 brick-and-mortar retailers and 10 online retailers. By offline retail channel, department stores rose 12.2 percent, large supermarkets gained 9.3 percent, and convenience stores increased 0.7 percent, while super supermarkets (SSM) fell 1.7 percent. Growth was driven by a long holiday period, late-Chuseok demand, and company-wide promotional campaigns during the nationwide Korea Grand Festival (October 29–November 9). As a result, department stores and large supermarkets saw strong gains, convenience stores recorded their fourth consecutive month of growth, while SSMs saw their third straight month of decline. Online sales continued to grow, led by food, services—such as e-coupons, delivery services, and cultural/travel products—as well as electronics and cosmetics. By category, sales increased across all major segments, including home appliances (up 2.4 percent) supported by the energy-efficient appliance rebate program, fashion/accessories (up 4.7 percent), food (up 8.7 percent), services (up 6.0 percent), and premium international brands (up 19.5 percent). date2025-11-26

MOTIR Supports Global Expansion of K-Beauty, K-Food, and Other Korean Consumer Goods

Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), attended the “2025 Korea Grand Sourcing Fair (KGSF 2025)” on Wednesday, November 26, at COEX Hall B in Seoul. Organized by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) since 2009, the fair is an export consultation event that invites overseas buyers. This year, the fair brought together 880 Korean companies and 150 overseas buyers from 30 countries. Notably, about 70 percent of all participants represented K-beauty and K-food companies, underscoring strong global demand for Korean consumer goods driven by Hallyu. In his congratulatory remarks, Director General Kang stated, “As K-culture continues to spread, Korean consumer goods are rapidly emerging as a new driver of exports, with cumulative exports from January to October 2025 reaching USD 85.7 billion, up 1.6 percent year-on-year.” He added, “The government will continue pursuing a variety of support measures to help Korean companies overcome global trade uncertainties and further expand consumer goods exports.” To that end, the government will strengthen marketing efforts at global events—such as K-pop concerts held alongside Hallyu expos—to expand opportunities for on-site consumer engagement and product promotion. The government will also work with KOTRA to promptly resolve on-site challenges by enhancing logistics services tailored to consumer goods, including shelf-life management and return handling, and by expanding country-specific certification and consulting support. It also plans to boost online export platforms by building global online e-commerce channels and launching integrated delivery and payment-processing solutions. Meanwhile, KITA announced that this year’s fair is expected to lead to more than 2,200 export consultations. It added that inviting halal buyers and global distributors, as well as conducting influencer-driven marketing activities, is expected to help Korean companies secure new overseas sales channels. date2025-11-26

Promising Materials, Parts, and Equipment Firms Climb the Growth Ladder Through Global Investment

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the Global Investor IR Day event on Tuesday, November 25, at The Westin Seoul Parnas. The event brought together around 150 participants, including representatives from eight domestic and global investment institutions—such as LB Investment and Korea Investment Partners—as well as 94 Korean materials, parts, and equipment (MPE) companies. Overview of Global Investor IR Day Date and Venue: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 10:30–16:30 / LL Floor, The Westin Seoul Parnas Key Participants: MOTIR Director   General for Trade and Investment; Park Ki-ho, Chairman of the Korea Core Industrial Technology Investment Association; eight domestic and global investors, including LB Investment, Korea Investment Partners, IMM Investment, Woori Venture Partners, SBI Investment, TEL VC, STIC Ventures, and NAU IB Capital; and 94 Korean MPE companies including PLAIF and Sealink, totaling approximately 150 participants   Program: Investment-strategy presentations by participating institutions and one-on-one pitching sessions between domestic and global investors and Korean companies The event was organized to support promising Korean MPE companies—many of which possess strong technological capabilities but face difficulties securing capital—by facilitating investment matching with domestic and global private equity funds, venture capital firms, and other private investors. The first Global Investor IR Day, held on October 31 alongside the Invest KOREA Summit 2025, resulted in USD 50 million in matched investment commitments for six Korean MPE firms. MOTIR has steadily strengthened its policy foundation through support for technology development and commercialization, and this event serves as a practical support program that directly connects private capital with innovative companies, thereby helping address the funding gap for growth-stage companies. Notably, the event drew strong investor interest in leading MPE technology companies such as PLAIF, an AI-powered dual-arm autonomous robot-solutions company participating in the K-Humanoid Alliance aimed at commercializing Korean humanoid robots, and Sealink, which, through a MOTIR R&D project, developed an eco-friendly sealing device for semiconductor equipment—challenging the paradigm in a field previously dominated by Japanese companies. During the event, investors shared their investment strategies, focus areas, and market outlooks, and then held one-on-one meetings to perform in-depth reviews of each company’s technological capabilities, market potential, business models, and revenue prospects. They also agreed to continue follow-up discussions with the companies after the event to build ongoing relationships. In his congratulatory remarks, Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Trade and Investment at MOTIR, stated, “For growth-stage companies, securing timely capital for R&D, facility investment, and overseas expansion is absolutely critical. The government will continue working to ensure that companies that have achieved technological innovation through national R&D programs, as well as promising firms that play a key role in supply chains, can obtain the financing they need at each stage of their growth.” date2025-11-25

Global Investor IR Day Held in Seoul

Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), delivered congratulatory remarks at the Global Investor IR Day held on Tuesday, November 25, at The Westin Seoul Parnas. The event brought together around 150 participants, including Park Ki-ho, Chairman of the Korea Core Industrial Technology Investment Association; domestic and global investors such as LB Investment and Korea Investment Partners; and representatives from Korean materials, parts, and equipment (MPE) companies. In his congratulatory remarks, Director General Kang emphasized the importance of securing timely capital for growth-stage companies, noting that the government will continue providing financing for companies with technological innovation obtained through national R&D programs, as well as promising firms that play a key role in supply chains. date2025-11-25

Korea Sets New January–October Auto Export Record

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced on November 20 that Korea’s cumulative automobile exports for January–October 2025 reached an all-time high of USD 59.6 billion, driven by strong eco-friendly vehicle performance. However, automobile exports in October, as well as domestic sales and production, declined year-on-year due to a reduction in working days. October automobile exports fell 10.5 percent year-on-year to $5.6 billion. Despite the shorter working period, eco-friendly vehicle exports rose 2.3 percent to $2.0 billion, supported by a 13.4 percent increase in hybrid-vehicle shipments, which offset a 7.3 percent decline in electric-vehicle (EV) exports. Domestic automobile sales decreased 12.8 percent year-on-year to 127,000 units. EV sales rose 56.1 percent, and hydrogen-vehicle sales surged 140.2 percent, continuing their recovery trend. Domestic EV sales had already set a new annual record in September, and this figure is expected to continue rising through year-end. Sales of imported vehicles also increased, driven by strong EV demand and a base effect from weak sales in October last year. Automobile production in October declined 17.6 percent year-on-year to 303,000 units, reflecting the overall reduction in working days. date2025-11-20

Public-Private Meeting on Strengthening Responses to Trade Barriers

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) delivered opening remarks while presiding over the Public-Private Meeting on Strengthening Responses to Trade Barriers held on Tuesday, November 18, at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) conference room in Seoul.   The meeting brought together KOTRA, KITA, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Iron & Steel Association, and representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, and industry associations to review Korea’s overall trade barrier response system and discuss improvement measures in depth. Trade Minister Yeo noted that the conclusion of the Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations comes amid a structural shift in the global trade environment, and stressed that MOTIR will lead a more assertive trade policy response while supporting the overseas expansion of K-beauty and K-fashion companies. MOTIR also announced that it will work jointly with relevant ministries and agencies to publish the Korean version of the National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report in the first half of next year. date2025-11-20

Korea to Develop its Own NTE Report

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) chaired the Public-Private Meeting on Strengthening Responses to Trade Barriers on Tuesday, November 18, at Seoul Trade Tower. The meeting was attended by representatives from the government, industry associations, and related organizations. Through recent meetings and site visits with the K-beauty and K-fashion industries, Minister Yeo heard firsthand that non-tariff barriers—such as certification and customs clearance requirements—pose significant challenges to Korea’s consumer goods exports in both advanced and developing markets. Building on these field insights, the meeting conducted a comprehensive review of Korea’s current trade barrier response system and held in-depth discussions on improvement measures. MOTIR announced that it will work jointly with relevant ministries and agencies to publish the Korean version of the National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report in the first half of next year. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), based on U.S. trade law, publishes the National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers every year, assessing the trade environment and major tariff and non-tariff measures in approximately 60 trading partners. MOTIR also plans to analyze foreign measures that disadvantage Korean firms and compile key findings into a consolidated “Trade Barrier Database” to improve industry access and usability. MOTIR will also institutionalize the Public-Private Trade Barrier Response Council to convene twice a year, enabling systematic information-sharing and coordinated response strategies. Progress on bilateral dialogues, FTA joint committees, and other relevant discussions will be monitored through quarterly review meetings to ensure a seamless public-private response mechanism to trade barriers. Trade Minister Yeo emphasized that “although the Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations have been concluded, the global trade environment has entered a structural new normal, requiring more assertive trade policies to address trade barriers. As the control tower, the Ministry of Trade will mobilize public and private capabilities and actively support the overseas expansion of K-beauty and K-fashion companies.” MOTIR will also launch a dedicated task force within the year to prepare the Korean NTE Report. date2025-11-20