Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and Türkiye to Hold 6th FTA Joint Committee Meeting

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that the 6th Korea–Türkiye FTA Joint Committee Meeting will be held in Ankara, Türkiye, from June 23 to 24, 2026. The meeting will be led by Lee Min-young, Acting Director General for Trade Agreement Policy at MOTIR, and Hüsnü Dilemre, Director General for International Agreements and EU Affairs at Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade. Türkiye serves as a gateway from Asia to Europe and occupies a strategic location near the Middle East and North Africa. Since the Korea–Türkiye FTA entered into force in 2013, bilateral trade has continued to grow, surpassing USD 10.0 billion for the first time in 2023 and reaching a record $10.7 billion in 2025. Korea’s exports to Türkiye increased by 99.7 percent from $4.6 billion in 2012 to $9.1 billion in 2025, while Türkiye’s exports to Korea rose by 133.3 percent from $670 million to $1.6 billion over the same period. As of December 2025, Korea’s cumulative investment in Türkiye stood at $4.6 billion across 1,176 projects, 38 times Türkiye’s investment in Korea during the same period, with manufacturing accounting for 47 percent of the total. Companies such as Hyundai Motor and POSCO have established production bases in Türkiye to serve the European market, contributing to local production, employment, and exports. Korean materials and components exported to Türkiye are also used in local manufacturing processes, helping strengthen bilateral supply chains and industrial cooperation. At the 6th Joint Committee Meeting, the two sides will review the implementation of the FTA and discuss related issues. Korea will convey concerns over the increasing number of import restrictions applied to Korean products and request that related investigations be conducted in a fair and objective manner consistent with international rules. Korea will also address difficulties faced by Korean companies in areas such as customs clearance and certification. Türkiye is expected to propose measures to help reduce its trade deficit with Korea, while the two sides will also discuss cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.   date2026-06-23

Minister Kim Visits Advanced Robotics Cooperation Site

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 18, 2026, with Jan Sechter, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic; Roh Gun-ki, President of the Korea Electronics Technology Institute; Cho Young-hoon, President of the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement; and officials from both countries. During the visit, Minister Kim inspected the planned site for the Advanced Robotics Center and its robotics testbed, was briefed on robotics industry cooperation between Korean and Czech institutions, and toured a robotics R&D lab and technology demonstration site. Minister Kim said the center is expected to serve as a key hub for joint R&D, technology demonstrations, and personnel exchanges, and that Korea and the Czech Republic will use it to strengthen their strategic partnership in future industries. date2026-06-19

Korea–Czech Nuclear Business Partnership Event

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the Korea–Czech Nuclear Business Partnership Event in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 18, 2026, with Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and government and nuclear business representatives from both countries. The event was held to discuss concrete ways to expand cooperation between companies from the two countries. During the event, Minister Kim witnessed the signing of a contract between KEPCO Engineering and Construction (KEPCO E&C) and ENERGOPROJEKT PRAHA (EGP) for design and licensing technical support. Minister Kim said the Dukovany project will serve as a foundation for more than a century of Korea–Czech cooperation, and that the two countries will build on its successful implementation to expand cooperation beyond nuclear power. date2026-06-19

Third Korea–Czech Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the third Korea–Czech Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 18, 2026, with Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and government delegations from both countries. At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the status of cooperation in high-tech industries and discussed ways to expand future cooperation. Minister Kim said Korea and the Czech Republic will build on the successful implementation of the Dukovany project to expand cooperation beyond nuclear power to high-tech industries, supply chains, and other areas. date2026-06-19

Second Meeting of the Dukovany Steering Committee Held

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the second meeting of the Dukovany Steering Committee in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 18, 2026, with Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic; Kim Hoe-cheon, President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power; and government delegations from both countries. At the meeting, participants reviewed implementation progress and next steps for the Dukovany new nuclear power plant project, along with progress and plans for localization. Minister Kim said the Dukovany project will serve as a foundation for more than a century of Korea–Czech cooperation, from construction through operation, and that the two countries will build on its successful implementation to expand cooperation across nuclear power, high-tech industries, supply chains, and other areas. date2026-06-19

Korea, Czech Republic Build on Nuclear Power Cooperation to Expand High-Tech Industry Cooperation

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited the Czech Republic from June 17 to 18, 2026. He met with Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, to review cooperation on the Dukovany new nuclear power plant project and discuss expanding cooperation in high-tech industries. Second Meeting of the Dukovany Steering Committee The two ministers held the second meeting of the Dukovany Steering Committee, launched in February 2026, to review the project’s implementation progress and next steps. They confirmed that Team Korea is meeting agreed milestones, including licensing document submissions, and reviewed key risks, such as staffing for licensing documentation and heavy cargo transport plans. They also discussed ways to expand Czech companies’ participation in the project and strengthen cooperation between companies from both countries. The two sides agreed to help address implementation issues and cooperate to keep the Dukovany project on track. Third Korea–Czech Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue At the third Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue that followed, the two ministers reviewed the status of cooperation in high-tech industries and discussed ways to expand future cooperation. The two sides assessed that trust built through nuclear power cooperation is broadening bilateral cooperation into high-tech industries, and agreed to press ahead with follow-up measures under the Vltava High-Tech Industry Cooperation Vision adopted in 2024. They assessed the outcomes of bilateral and multilateral joint R&D cooperation and reviewed progress on cooperation centers and joint R&D plans in robotics, batteries, and future mobility. They also reviewed follow-up responses to key concerns raised at the March 2026 business roundtable held at Minister Havlíček’s invitation and discussed Korean companies’ plans to expand investment in the Czech Republic. Korea–Czech Nuclear Business Partnership Event The two countries also held the Korea–Czech Nuclear Business Partnership Event, marking the first anniversary of the Dukovany new nuclear power plant project contract. Minister Kim, Minister Havlíček, and other key participants welcomed the steady progress made over the past year and reaffirmed their commitment to the project’s continued implementation. During the event, KEPCO Engineering and Construction (KEPCO E&C) and ENERGOPROJEKT PRAHA (EGP) signed a contract for design and licensing technical support. Minister Kim Visits Advanced Robotics Cooperation Site Minister Kim visited the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), where he inspected the planned site for the Advanced Robotics Center and its robotics testbed, and was briefed on robotics industry cooperation between institutions of the two countries. He said the center is expected to serve as a key hub for joint R&D, technology demonstrations, and personnel exchanges. He also noted that the robotics center is the first to advance among the robotics, battery, and future mobility cooperation centers agreed in 2025, making it a flagship project in bilateral high-tech industry cooperation. Minister Kim said, “With the Czech government pursuing a policy to extend the operating life of nuclear power plants to up to 80 years, the Dukovany new nuclear power plant project will serve as a foundation for cooperation that will continue for more than a century, from construction through operation. Building on the successful implementation of the Dukovany project, Korea and the Czech Republic will expand cooperation beyond nuclear power to high-tech industries, supply chains, and other areas.” He added, “Starting with the Advanced Robotics Center, we will move forward as planned with cooperation centers for batteries and future mobility, further strengthening our strategic partn date2026-06-19

Meeting with President of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with Baatarjav Lkhagvajav, President of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on June 18, 2026. The meeting was held during Minister Yeo’s visit to Mongolia to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation and advance negotiations on the Korea–Mongolia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Minister Yeo said the Korea–Mongolia CEPA will provide a key institutional foundation for expanding bilateral trade and investment and building a stable supply chain partnership. date2026-06-19

Roundtable with Korean Companies in Mongolia

Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) chaired a roundtable with representatives of Korean companies operating in Mongolia, including E-mart, GS Retail, and Osstem, in Ulaanbaatar on June 17, 2026. Minister Yeo delivered remarks and received detailed input on specific business concerns, including customs clearance delays and strict CEPA rules-of-origin certification requirements. Minister Yeo said the Korea–Mongolia CEPA will provide a key institutional foundation for expanding bilateral trade and investment and building a stable supply chain partnership. date2026-06-18

Meeting with Mongolia’s Minister of Economy and Development

Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with Jadambyn Enkhbayar, Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on June 17, 2026. They discussed ways to expand economic cooperation with resource-rich Mongolia and advance negotiations on the Korea–Mongolia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Minister Yeo said the Korea–Mongolia CEPA will provide a key institutional foundation for expanding bilateral trade and investment and building a stable supply chain partnership. date2026-06-18

Korea, Mongolia Discuss Ways to Advance CEPA Talks and Accelerate Strategic Economic Cooperation

Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and Jadambyn Enkhbayar, Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development, held a Korea–Mongolia trade ministers’ meeting in Mongolia on June 17, 2026. The two sides discussed expanding economic cooperation with resource-rich Mongolia and advancing negotiations on the Korea–Mongolia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Mongolia is one of the world’s major resource-rich countries, with abundant minerals essential to advanced industries, including copper, molybdenum, and rare earth elements, and is an important emerging trade partner for Korea’s critical mineral supply chain stabilization strategy. Since upgrading their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2021, Korea and Mongolia have strengthened cooperation across politics, the economy, culture, and other areas. However, they have had no separate trade agreement to provide an institutional basis for expanding bilateral trade and investment, and have been pursuing the Korea–Mongolia CEPA since November 2023. During the meeting, Minister Yeo stressed the importance of concluding the Korea–Mongolia CEPA at an early date, noting that the agreement is key to accelerating bilateral economic cooperation and strengthening supply chain links. In the working groups on goods and rules of origin, the key areas of the CEPA negotiations, the two sides worked to align their positions toward a mutually beneficial outcome. Minister Yeo also held a roundtable with Korean companies operating in Mongolia and heard specific business concerns on the ground, including customs clearance delays and strict CEPA rules-of-origin certification requirements. At the trade ministers’ meeting, he asked the Mongolian government to give close attention to these issues and help address them. “The Korea–Mongolia CEPA will provide a key institutional foundation for expanding bilateral trade and investment and building a stable supply chain partnership,” Minister Yeo said. “We will accelerate the negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.” date2026-06-17