Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and France Establish Strategic Framework for Cooperation Across Industry, Trade and Supply Chains

During President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to France, Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Roland Lescure, France’s Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, in Paris on September 7, 2026. The two ministers laid the institutional groundwork to take bilateral cooperation in industry, trade and supply chains to a new level. Korea–France Ministerial Meeting on Economic and Industrial Affairs The key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to establish the Korea–France Strategic Industrial Dialogue, a ministerial-level consultation channel between the two key ministries responsible for industrial policy. Korea and France will use the dialogue for regular discussions on industrial and trade policy and establish sector-specific working groups to discuss specific issues and cooperation projects in depth. The new dialogue is significant in that it provides a framework for bilateral cooperation across a broad range of industrial and trade issues, including industrial policy, industrial technology, trade and investment, supply chains and economic security, and critical minerals. Minister Kim also urged France to address key trade issues facing Korean companies in France. In particular, he requested improvements to France’s electric vehicle subsidy scheme to ensure that Korean-made EVs are not placed at a disadvantage. The two sides agreed to continue consultations on the issue through working-level groups and other channels. Minister Kim also welcomed the EU’s intention, reflected in the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), to extend benefits to its key partner countries. He asked for France’s close attention and support so that Korea, as a trusted key industrial partner of the EU, can receive treatment equivalent to that accorded to EU member states. “With the establishment of the ministerial-level Strategic Industrial Dialogue, Korea and France now have a standing framework for regular consultations that goes beyond addressing individual issues and covers industrial policy, trade and investment, supply chains and economic security,” Minister Kim said. “We will make full use of the new ministerial dialogue and sector-specific working groups to address trade-related difficulties facing Korean companies while continuing to identify new cooperation projects in advanced industries and supply chains.” KOTRA–Business France MOU The two countries also took steps to strengthen the basis for trade and investment cooperation at the business level. In the presence of both ministers, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Business France signed an MOU on business cooperation. The two organizations will expand cooperation by jointly holding trade and investment seminars and supporting startups seeking to enter the other country’s market. They will also strengthen their role as effective communication channels for identifying and addressing difficulties faced by Korean and French companies operating in the other country. Meeting with Air Liquide CEO Minister Kim also met separately with François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide, a French global industrial gas company, to discuss expanding the company’s investment in Korea. Air Liquide completed its acquisition of DIG Airgas in January 2026 and is expanding its business in Korea. During the meeting, Jackow said the company plans to finalize the details of a new investment plan in the near future. Minister Kim welcomed Air Liquide’s continued investment in Korea and said the government would provide the necessary support to ensure the investment plan proceeds smoothly. date2026-09-08

G20 Innovation Ministerial Meeting

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on September 2, 2026.  The meeting brought together U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and industry and innovation ministers from Japan, India, Germany, and other G20 members. The attendees discussed Intellectual Property Policies for Artificial Intelligence; AI for Standards and Standards for AI; and Industrial Innovation and Investment in Supply Chains. “AI is rapidly transforming research, creation, and innovation,” Minister Kim said. “IP systems should evolve so that IP rights and AI innovation reinforce each other.” date2026-09-03

G20 Members Discuss Multilateral Cooperation to Advance AI Innovation

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the 2026 G20 Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the United States, on September 2 (local time) as head of the Korean delegation. The United States, which holds this year’s G20 presidency, hosted the meeting, where industry and innovation ministers from G20 members discussed three topics: (1) Intellectual Property Policies for Artificial Intelligence; (2) AI for Standards and Standards for AI; and (3) Industrial Innovation and Investment in Supply Chains. The morning session, Intellectual Property Policies for Artificial Intelligence, focused on balancing AI innovation with intellectual property (IP) protection and on how patent and copyright systems should evolve as AI use expands. Minister Kim emphasized that as AI rapidly transforms research and development, creation, and innovation, IP systems should evolve so that IP rights and AI innovation reinforce each other. On patents, Minister Kim noted that broader use of AI is expanding opportunities to participate in innovation and that a reliable patent system should support this trend. On copyright, he shared Korea’s experience with the fair use principle and guidelines for AI training, emphasizing the importance of respecting creators’ legitimate rights while providing a predictable environment for AI innovation. The afternoon session covered standards for industrial AI use, as well as supply chain resilience and diversification. On AI standards, Minister Kim stressed that standards should reflect industry needs and experience in AI application. He also described Korea’s experience in working with industry to support the identification and development of relevant AI standards in key sectors, including autonomous manufacturing, AI-enabled future vehicles, and robotics.  He further stressed the importance of international cooperation to improve interoperability and reliability between technologies and systems as AI technologies and services spread across borders. Based on Korea’s experience actively participating in AI standardization discussions at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), he said Korea will continue to contribute to international standards that support AI innovation and adoption in global markets. On supply chains, Minister Kim emphasized that AI and manufacturing innovation can help make global supply chains more resilient as those chains become more complex. Minister Kim also shared Korea’s experience with Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX), explaining that expanding AI use across key manufacturing industries and applying it to production planning, demand forecasting, and supply chain management can improve companies’ capacity to respond to changes and make supply chains more efficient and flexible. He emphasized that beyond improving productivity at individual companies, these efforts could strengthen crisis response across global production networks and create new opportunities for cooperation. Minister Kim stressed that stronger supply chain resilience requires diversified sourcing, closer links among countries’ industrial strengths, and broader trust-based partnerships in critical resources, materials, and components. He also proposed that the G20 play an important role in building open and complementary global supply chains by drawing on the industrial capabilities of its members. “For AI innovation to strengthen industrial competitiveness, advances in technology must go hand in hand with progress in intellectual property systems, standards, and resilient supply chains,” said Minister Kim. “Korea will continue to actively cooperate with G20 members, drawing on practical experience gained across industry.” date2026-09-03

Korea and Japan Step Up Implementation of Supply Chain Partnership Arrangement (SCPA)

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) held their first implementation meeting for the Korea–Japan Supply Chain Partnership Arrangement (SCPA) in Tokyo on September 2, 2026, and discussed strengthening bilateral supply chain cooperation. Signed by MOTIR and METI in March 2026, the Korea–Japan SCPA covers joint responses to supply chain disruptions, cooperation on critical minerals and other resources, and coordination on global trade issues. At their summit in May 2026, the leaders of Korea and Japan agreed to further strengthen cooperation under the SCPA to make supply chains in key industries more resilient. At the meeting, the two sides shared their respective key policies for diversifying and stabilizing supply chains for critical minerals and discussed expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation. They agreed to continue deepening cooperation to ensure stable supplies of LNG, crude oil, and petroleum products in times of crisis. They also exchanged information on their respective responses to major economies’ tightening of carbon emissions and supply chain due diligence regulations, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and discussed future coordination. CBAM is designed to prevent carbon leakage by ensuring that selected carbon-intensive imports are subject to a carbon price equivalent to that applied to goods produced in the EU. “Amid continued uncertainty in global supply chains, supply chain cooperation between Korea and Japan, two countries with similar industrial structures, is becoming increasingly important,” said Kim Jang-hee, Director General for Emerging Trade Strategy and Policy at MOTIR. “We will build on this first implementation meeting to develop the SCPA into a communication channel for devising practical measures for bilateral supply chain cooperation and delivering tangible outcomes.” date2026-09-02

Minister Kim Visits the U.S. to Attend G20 Innovation Ministerial and Expand Korea–U.S. Economic Cooperation

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) will visit North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana from September 1 to 4, 2026 (U.S. local time), to attend the G20 Innovation Ministerial, an investment declaration ceremony, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the HYUNDAI-POSCO Louisiana Steel (HPLS) mill. On September 2, Minister Kim will first attend the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he will discuss global cooperation to advance AI innovation, with a focus on AI-related intellectual property rights, standards, and supply chains. On September 3, Minister Kim will then attend an investment declaration ceremony and roundtable in Washington, D.C. hosted by MOTIR and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), marking the foreign direct investments into Korea from U.S. companies in the semiconductor, advanced materials, and offshore wind sectors. Minister Kim will also discuss with the U.S. companies regarding their investments in Korea and listen to their suggestions. On September 4, Minister Kim will also attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the HPLS mill in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The mill is one of the projects under Hyundai Motor Group’s USD 26 billion U.S. investment plan, which includes USD 5.8 billion for Hyundai Steel. Hyundai Motor Group announced the plan at the White House last year, and it was later expanded by additional investment from Hyundai Motor Company. The mill will contribute to building a stable supply chain in North America. Before the ceremony, Minister Kim will meet with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to discuss mutually beneficial, strategic cooperation between Korea and the United States, including energy. “This visit underscores the active two-way investment cooperation between our two countries, demonstrating Korean companies’ commitment to strengthening supply chain cooperation through their investments in the United States, while also attracting U.S. investments into Korea at the same times,” Minister Kim said. date2026-09-01

MOTIR Releases Draft Korean Translation of Upgraded Korea–UK FTA for Public Comment

Following the conclusion of the Korea–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) upgrade negotiations in December 2025, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will make the agreement text in English and a draft Korean translation available on the government’s FTA website (www.fta.go.kr) from September 1 to 11, 2026, and invite public comments. The public comment process will follow MOTIR’s procedural regulations for drafting Korean translations of trade agreements (MOTIR Directive No. 127) to make trade agreement procedures more transparent and enhance the reliability of the Korean translation. In consultation with relevant ministries and experts, MOTIR will consider the comments in the course of finalizing the Korean translation. After the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG) complete their reviews, the government plans to consult with the UK before formally signing the agreement and then seek the National Assembly’s consent to ratification under the Act on the Conclusion Procedure and Implementation of Commercial Treaties.   date2026-09-01

Korea and China Hold 16th Round of FTA Follow-up Negotiations on Services and Investment

The 16th round of follow-up negotiations on services and investment under the Korea–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in Beijing from August 31 to September 4, 2026. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that around 30 officials from the two countries will take part in the talks. The Korean delegation will be led by Kwon Hye-jin, Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations at MOTIR, and the Chinese delegation by Chen Chao, Director General of the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs at China’s Ministry of Commerce. Under the Korea–China FTA, which entered into force in 2015, the two countries agreed to hold follow-up negotiations to further liberalize services and investment. They launched the talks in March 2018 and have since held 15 formal rounds. Through the follow-up negotiations, the two sides aim to facilitate trade in services and investment by opening more service sectors to each other and making market access conditions clearer and more predictable. This would lay the groundwork for bilateral trade to expand beyond goods into services. Progress in the talks would therefore carry symbolic significance, showing that bilateral economic cooperation can be sustained and continue to evolve. Against this backdrop, the leaders of Korea and China agreed in January 2026 to work toward meaningful progress in the talks within the year. The two sides have since continued their high-level dialogue on how to advance the negotiations, including at the Korea–China Trade Ministers’ Meeting in March and a June meeting between Korea’s Minister for Trade and China’s International Trade Representative. Building on this positive momentum, the Korean delegation plans to accelerate the talks and make substantive progress. “Amid continued uncertainty in the trade environment at home and abroad, concluding the Korea–China FTA follow-up talks could expand bilateral services trade and investment. MOTIR will spare no effort to secure a durable outcome that brings practical benefits to Korean companies,” Deputy Minister Kwon said.   date2026-09-01

KOTRA to Take Over Management of Industrial ODA in September 2026

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim) announced that the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) signed an agreement on August 31, 2026, to transfer the responsibilities for the Industrial and Trade Cooperation Development Support Program (Industrial Official Development Assistance, or Industrial ODA). Under this agreement, KOTRA will begin managing Industrial ODA from September 1, 2026. This transfer of responsibilities is intended to advance Industrial ODA as a mutually beneficial model that supports economic growth in emerging economies and helps Korean companies to facilitate their business activities in overseas markets. Since the launch of Industrial ODA in 2012, KIAT has successfully established the program and built up management expertise. KOTRA will draw on these achievements and leverage its own overseas trade offices as strategic bases to significantly strengthen on-the-ground project implementation and support Korean companies’ business engagement in overseas markets.  KOTRA expects to strengthen links and create synergy effects among ODA programs by managing Industrial ODA alongside the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) and the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) led by the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE). MOTIR also expects ODA to serve as a catalyst for Korean companies to explore emerging markets and to further strengthen supply chain cooperation with resource-rich countries. “The transfer of the program to KOTRA is more than a change in the managing agency. It represents a clear policy shift toward advancing national interests and business activities. We look forward to seeing KOTRA develop a new model of ODA,” said Bae Jun-hyoung, Director General for International Trade Relations at MOTIR. date2026-08-31

Korea and China Hold 16th Round of FTA Follow-up Negotiations on Services and Investment

Kwon Hye-jin, Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), attended the 16th round of follow-up negotiations on services and investment under the Korea–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Beijing on August 31, 2026. Around 30 officials from the two countries took part. Deputy Minister Kwon led the Korean delegation, while Chen Chao, Director-General of the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs at China’s Ministry of Commerce, headed the Chinese delegation. Following her opening remarks, Deputy Minister Kwon and Director-General Chen discussed market access and other issues in services, investment, and finance. “We will do our utmost to secure a lasting outcome that brings practical benefits to Korean companies,” Deputy Minister Kwon said. date2026-08-31

Korea and Vietnam Hold 15th Industrial Joint Committee and 9th FTA Joint Committee

On August 26, 2026, Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and Minister Le Manh Hung of Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade co-chaired the 15th Korea-Vietnam Industrial Joint Committee and the 9th Korea-Vietnam FTA Joint Committee at Lotte Hotel Seoul.  Government delegations from both countries attended the meetings. Following his opening remarks, Minister Kim discussed with the participants ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the real economy. “Korea will broaden bilateral trade and investment into forward-looking sectors and work more closely with Vietnam to build advanced industrial ecosystems, cultivate talent in industrial technology, strengthen critical mineral supply chains, and enhance energy security,” Minister Kim said. date2026-08-27