Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Meeting with Canadian Senator Hassan Yussuff

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Canadian Senator Hassan Yussuff, former Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, in Ottawa, Canada, on May 6, 2026. The two sides discussed strategic cooperation between Korea and Canada in connection with the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). date2026-05-07

Meeting with the President of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Flavio Volpe, President of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), in Ottawa, Canada, on May 6, 2026. The two sides discussed defense industry cooperation following APMA’s recent MOU with Korean companies. date2026-05-07

Signing Ceremony for Korea–Canada MOUs on Shipbuilding and R&D

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended a signing ceremony for Korea–Canada MOUs on international joint research on icebreakers and industrial technology cooperation in Ottawa, Canada, on May 6, 2026. The MOUs will lay the groundwork for practical cooperation and tangible outcomes in shipbuilding and R&D between Korea and Canada. date2026-05-07

Meeting with Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, in Ottawa, Canada, on May 6, 2026. The two ministers shared the view that energy and resource supply chains need to be diversified amid recent global supply chain instability. They also agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in critical minerals through channels such as the Korea–Canada Critical Minerals Working Group (WG). date2026-05-07

Meeting with Canada’s Minister of Industry

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry, in Ottawa, Canada, on May 5, 2026, during his visit to Canada. The two ministers shared progress in bilateral industrial cooperation related to Korea’s bid for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), including cooperation MOUs signed between Korean and Canadian companies. They also discussed expanding industrial cooperation in hydrogen, as well as cooperation in multilateral settings. Minister Kim said the CPSP would be more than a defense procurement project and could mark an important turning point in building a long-term Korea–Canada partnership. date2026-05-07

Korea and Canada Expand Industrial and Resource Cooperation Through a Partnership Built on Trust

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited Ottawa, Canada, from May 5 to 6, 2026. During the visit, he met with senior Canadian officials to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in industry and resources. He also focused his efforts on supporting Korea’s bid for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).   On May 5, 2026, Minister Kim met with Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. The two ministers reviewed recent progress in industrial cooperation related to the submarine bid, including cooperation MOUs signed between Korean and Canadian companies. They also discussed expanding industrial cooperation in hydrogen and other areas, as well as cooperation in multilateral settings. Minister Kim requested the Canadian government’s support for Korean companies investing in Canada.   On May 6, 2026, Minister Kim met with Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The two ministers shared the view that energy and resource supply chains need to be diversified amid recent global supply chain instability. They also agreed to deepen cooperation in critical minerals through channels such as the Korea–Canada Critical Minerals Working Group (WG).   Minister Kim also met on May 6 with Senator Hassan Yussuff, former Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, to discuss strategic cooperation between Korea and Canada on the submarine project. He also met with Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), and exchanged views on defense industry cooperation following APMA’s recent MOU with Korean companies. Minister Kim thanked APMA for its statement of support for Korea’s bid for the submarine project.   Separately, two MOUs were signed with Minister Kim in attendance: one on Korea–Canada international joint research on icebreakers and the other on industrial technology cooperation. The MOUs are expected to support practical cooperation in shipbuilding and R&D. “Winning the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project would be more than a defense procurement contract. It would mark an important turning point in building a long-term partnership between Korea and Canada,” Minister Kim said. “We will bring together the full capabilities of government and industry and make every effort to support the bid.” date2026-05-07

Minister JK Kim Attends G7 Critical Minerals Ministers’ Virtual Meeting

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the G7 Critical Minerals Ministers’ Virtual Meeting on May 7, 2026 (KST), during his visits to Canada and the United States. Chaired by France, this year’s G7 president, the meeting discussed cooperation to strengthen the stability and resilience of global critical minerals supply chains.   The meeting was attended by ministers from G7 members, the European Union (EU), Korea, Australia and other key partner countries. Representatives from international organizations, including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank (WB), also took part.   Participants discussed key agenda items, including diversification of critical minerals value chains, strategic stockpiling and traceability, and cooperation among participating countries in coordination with international organizations. They shared the view that, in response to changes in the global industrial environment and rising demand for critical minerals, countries need to strengthen cooperation across the full supply chain, from production and processing to recycling, while improving market stability and predictability.   At the meeting, Minister Kim said Korea, as a major consumer and processor of critical minerals, welcomes discussions on cooperation among the G7 and partner countries. He emphasized the need to continue working together to prepare for supply chain disruptions and stabilize critical minerals supplies. He also proposed a flexible mix of policy tools suited to each country’s circumstances, and stressed the need to build practical cooperation platforms in coordination with international organizations such as the IEA and OECD. Following the meeting, MOTIR will coordinate with the G7, key partner countries and international organizations to strengthen the stability and resilience of global critical minerals supply chains. The ministry will also support Korean companies’ participation in overseas projects, technology cooperation and information sharing, helping Korea secure stable critical minerals supplies. date2026-05-07

Korea to Expand Trade and Industrial Cooperation with Morocco, an Emerging North African Economy

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a virtual meeting on May 6, 2026, with Omar Hejira, Morocco’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade, in charge of Foreign Trade. The two sides discussed the path toward the Korea–Morocco Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and key industrial cooperation issues. The meeting was arranged to expand trade and investment with Morocco and support local projects by Korean companies in areas including electric trains and batteries. Trade Minister Yeo noted Morocco’s strengths, including its strategic location as a bridge linking Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as its extensive FTA network with more than 50 countries, including the EU and the United States. He proposed combining Morocco’s growth potential with Korea’s advanced industrial capabilities to expand bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. The two sides noted that the Korea–Morocco CEPA would serve as a key legal and institutional framework for boosting bilateral trade and investment and mark an important turning point for economic cooperation. They agreed to consult closely toward the early launch of negotiations.   Trade Minister Yeo also noted that Korean companies, including Hyundai Rotem in electric trains and LG Energy Solution in lithium refining, are actively expanding into Morocco. He emphasized that the CEPA would be important as an institutional foundation for expanding business cooperation. Secretary of State Hejira said Morocco regards Korea as a key strategic partner and hopes to work with Korean companies across a wide range of fields. “The Korea–Morocco CEPA will help extend Korea’s trade cooperation to Africa and support Korean companies’ strategic diversification of trade and investment markets,” Trade Minister Yeo said. “We will move swiftly to conclude the CEPA and accelerate trade and industrial cooperation with Morocco, an emerging hub in North Africa.” date2026-05-07

MOTIR to Strengthen Economic and Industrial Partnerships with the United States and Canada

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) will visit Ottawa, Canada, and Washington, D.C., from May 5 to 8, 2026, to hold a series of high-level meetings and outreach activities aimed at strengthening Korea’s economic and industrial partnerships with the United States and Canada. Minister Kim will first visit Ottawa from May 5 to 6, 2026, where he will meet with Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry, and Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in industry and resources. He will also seek the Canadian government’s support for Korea’s participation in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). Minister Kim will then travel to Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2026, for preliminary Korea-U.S. consultations on strategic investment with senior U.S. government officials, including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. He will also engage with the U.S. Congress and other stakeholders to discuss Korean investment in the United States and current trade issues. “Since the National Assembly passed the Special Act for Korea–U.S. Strategic Investment Management in March 2026, MOTIR has been taking follow-up steps as planned, including preparing the enforcement decree and the launch of the Korea–U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation,” Minister Kim said. “During this visit, we will build on the discussions held so far and make preliminary talks on strategic investment projects more concrete. We will conduct the talks in a way that serves the national interest — helping Korean companies expand in the U.S. market while ensuring that the benefits flow back to Korea’s industries.” “The CPSP is an important opportunity for Korea and Canada to build a comprehensive, long-term partnership across security, economic, and industrial cooperation,” Minister Kim added. “The government will spare no effort to support Korean companies in securing the project.” date2026-05-05

Korea and Pakistan to Hold First Official Round of CEPA Negotiations

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will hold the first official round of negotiations for the Korea–Pakistan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by videoconference from May 4 to 7, 2026. Approximately 50 negotiators from both countries will take part, with the Korean delegation led by Kim Jang-hee, acting Director General for Trade Agreement Negotiations, and the Pakistani delegation by Nasir Hamid, Additional Secretary for Trade Diplomacy at Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce. Pakistan is a promising market, with a population of 240 million and a vast pool of young talent. The country is also working to expand its manufacturing base and develop infrastructure. Bilateral trade, however, remains limited relative to this potential, making the CEPA an important framework for expanding trade and investment between the two countries. Since the launch of Korea–Pakistan CEPA negotiations in January 2025, the two sides have agreed on negotiating procedures and prepared a draft text for the agreement. They also held preliminary negotiations via videoconference from April 20 to 23, 2026, covering areas such as goods, rules of origin, and the environment. At an April 30, 2026, meeting between Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of MOTIR and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, the two sides agreed on the need to accelerate the negotiations. Building on that understanding, the Korean government plans to use the first official round to confirm both sides’ interests and positions in four areas: economic cooperation, investment, intellectual property rights, and trade remedies. The round will also lay the groundwork for future negotiations. “This first official round marks the formal start of Korea–Pakistan CEPA negotiations,” acting Director General Kim said. “We will approach the negotiations constructively so that the CEPA with Pakistan can serve as a practical platform for cooperation that supports expanded trade and investment between the two countries and helps Korean companies enter Southwest Asian markets.” date2026-05-04