Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Seoul Food 2024 caters to global palate with food and business opportunities on record scale

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on June 11 that Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is co-hosting Seoul Food 2024 with KINTEX and Informa Markets through June 11–14 at KINTEX in Ilsan.   The international food industry exhibition is now in its 42nd year since first launched in 1983, and ranks as Korea’s largest and Asia’s fourth largest food exhibition. Seoul Food 2024 draws a record 52 countries’ 1,605 food companies, up 20 percent compared to last year. This year notably has the EU taking part as the guest of honor, showcasing organic food product workshops, live cooking shows, and other vibrant programs.   On the occasion of this international event, 250 food retail buyers from 47 international markets will be touring the exhibition booths to experience K-food firsthand and to meet with domestic food companies for in-person business consultations that are estimated to reach USD 200 million this year. Wooltari (U.S.), Global Food Products (Thailand), and China Post (China) are among the major buyers that will be looking for prospective business opportunities.   Visitors can also enjoy the K-food promotion booth, where a variety of meal kits, alternative meats, and Korean traditional snacks are displayed to support the discovery of the next best-selling item and its manufacturer following BABA Gimbap, Korean company Allgot’s frozen gimbap product that recently gained huge popularity in the U.S.   Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong attended the opening ceremony of Seoul Food 2024 and stated that MOTIE and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) will work in tandem to provide public-private support across the entire process of K-food marketing, retail platform entry, logistics, and certifications. date2024-06-13

Korea launches Seoul Food 2024

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong attended the opening ceremony of Seoul Food 2024 on June 11 at KINTEX in Ilsan, where 1,605 companies from 52 countries have set up 2,969 booths. date2024-06-12

Trade Minister meets Vietnam's VASS President

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong met with Phan Chí Hiếu, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), on June 11 in Seoul to discuss measures for Korea-Vietnam economic cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals supply chain, and carbon neutrality. date2024-06-12

Trade Minister discusses economic cooperation with Vietnam’s think tank president

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong met with Phan Chí Hiếu, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), on June 11 in Seoul to discuss measures for Korea-Vietnam economic cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals supply chain, and carbon neutrality, and agreed to continue their policy exchanges for the two countries’ forward-looking cooperative ties. VASS is Vietnam’s leading think tank established under the Prime Minister, overseeing 35 research institutes.   Trade Minister Cheong held VASS in high regard in terms of its contribution to strengthening the bilateral strategic communication in academic, political, economic, social, and cultural exchanges. He suggested that the two countries seek detailed cooperation measures through both intergovernmental and policy institutional communication for reaching the USD 150 billion bilateral trade volume target by 2030 declared in 2022.   Noting the elevation of Korea-Vietnam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022 in commemoration of their 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the VASS president said that he looked forward to opening doors to a new era of closer cooperation over the next 30 years, and that VASS will help deepen the two countries’ cooperative ties.   Lastly, Trade Minister Cheong expressed hope of expanding their trade and economic network across the entire ASEAN region and asked for strong support towards Korea’s Chairmanship of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2025. date2024-06-11

Korea-Africa Business Summit 2024 Closing Ceremony

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn attended the Korea-Africa Business Summit Closing Ceremony on June 5 in Seoul and gave a closing address to the Korean and African governments’ officials, economic groups and companies’ representatives. date2024-06-07

Trade Minister meets KKR Co-CEO

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong met with Joseph Bae, Co-CEO of KKR & Co. Inc, on the margins of the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum on June 6 in Singapore and discussed investment in Korea’s clean infrastructure and climate tech startups, and KKR’s investment interests in Korean firms. date2024-06-07

Minister Ahn meets Nigeria's Industry, Trade and Investment Minister

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn met with Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on June 5 in Seoul on the margins of the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 and discussed measures for cooperation in trade, investment, and the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF). date2024-06-07

Trade Minister attends IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum Ministerial

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong attended the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum's ministerial talks on June 6 in Singapore and signed the IPEF Agreements for Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the overarching IPEF Agreement and discussed outcome evaluation and future plans with partner countries’ counterparts. date2024-06-07

Minister Ahn meets Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn met with Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry Kobina Tahir Hammond on June 5 on the margins of the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 in Seoul and discussed bilateral economic and development cooperation measures and signed the Korea-Ghana Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) agreement. date2024-06-07

Trade Minister meets Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong met with Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa on June 6 on the margins of the Clean Economy Investor Forum in Singapore and discussed bilateral investment relations and cooperation through EPA and IPEF. date2024-06-07