Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and Sweden Discuss Strategic Cooperation Amid Global Trade Shifts

Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Moon Shin-hak attended the Korea–Sweden Sustainable Partnership Summit, held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Thursday, October 16, as part of economic events marking the visit of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria to Korea.   The annual summit, launched following reciprocal visits by the leaders of both countries in 2019, aims to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. This year’s discussions focused on strategic collaboration to enhance sustainability and resilience in response to global trade challenges such as climate change, energy transition, and rising geopolitical tensions. The event brought together around 200 participants, including Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, government officials, and major business leaders from both countries. Participants exchanged views on the role of leadership in building a resilient future and on linking AI with sustainability. In addition, three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed between Korean and Swedish companies and research institutes in the Fields of HVCD, power semiconductor, and offshore wind, creating a foundation for mutually beneficial private-sector cooperation. In his congratulatory remarks, Vice Minister Moon emphasized the need for Korea and Sweden to strengthen their strategic partnership grounded in pragmatism amid growing global trade uncertainty. He stated, “Through this summit, the two countries should develop a practical roadmap that encompasses both sustainability and security to generate new growth momentum, and the Korean government will fully support future-oriented cooperation with Sweden.”   date2025-10-16

MOTIR Minister Meets Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister to Discuss Industrial and Trade Cooperation

Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev on Wednesday, October 15, at the Lotte Hotel Seoul to discuss key issues in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Bozumbayev was accompanied by four senior officials, including Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, and Olzhas Saparbekov, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction. Minister Kim and Deputy Prime Minister Bozumbayev noted the close and mutually beneficial relationship that has developed between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. They agreed on the need to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, including manufacturing, plant construction, and critical mineral supply chains, amid rapidly changing global trade conditions. During the meeting, Minister Kim proposed expanding collaboration in manufacturing and raised business concerns regarding the lack of logistics infrastructure for Kia’s new operations in Kazakhstan and the circulation of counterfeit Korean home appliances. He requested the Kazakh government’s attention and support to resolve these issues promptly. On plant sector cooperation, Minister Kim called for greater participation by Korean companies in new projects and support for ongoing construction projects. Regarding critical mineral supply chains, he suggested enhancing cooperation through the establishment of the Rare Metals Technology Cooperation Center, which will be supported by MOTIR’s official development assistance (ODA) program beginning next year. On Kazakhstan’s Alatau City development project, Minister Kim emphasized that Korea possesses advanced technologies and extensive experience in areas such as eco-friendly development, artificial intelligence, and future mobility, and expressed hope to continue close cooperation in these fields.   date2025-10-16

FDI Arrivals to Korea Edge Down 2% through Q3 2025

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced today that foreign direct investment (FDI) pledges to Korea in the first three quarters of 2025 (cumulative, Jan–Sep) decreased 18.0 percent year-on-year to USD 20.7 billion, while FDI arrivals over the same period fell 2.0 percent to $11.3 billion. By type, greenfield investment pledges dropped 6.1 percent to $17.8 billion, while M&A pledges plunged 54.0 percent to $2.9 billion amid a global slowdown in large-scale acquisitions. In contrast, greenfield arrivals rose 23.0 percent to $8.2 billion. By region, FDI pledges from the United States surged 58.9 percent to $5.0 billion, driven by investments in chemicals, distribution, and ICT, while pledges from the EU, Japan, and China fell 36.6 percent, 22.8 percent, and 36.9 percent, respectively. By industry, manufacturing-sector pledges decreased 29.1 percent to $8.7 billion, with gains in transport machinery offset by declines in electrical and electronic components. Service-sector pledges dropped 6.9 percent to $11.1 billion, but investment in distribution and information and communications increased, supported by sustained interest in AI-related fields such as data centers, autonomous driving software, and robotics.   date2025-10-15

Korea’s ICT Exports Hit Record High in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Ministry of Science and ICT announced on October 15 that Korea’s exports of ICT goods in September 2025 reached an all-time high of USD 25.4 billion (up 14.0 percent year-on-year), while imports rose 10.4 percent to $13.8 billion. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $11.7 billion, the second-largest on record. Despite ongoing global trade uncertainties, ICT exports reached their highest level ever, led by record-breaking semiconductor shipments for the second consecutive month, along with stronger exports of displays and communication equipment. Semiconductor exports hit a new record as memory prices continued to rise and demand for high-value products such as DDR5 and HBM remained strong. Display exports rebounded as OLED panel applications expanded in IT devices and demand recovered for mobile phones and laptops. Communication equipment exports grew on robust demand for automotive and 5G base station components in the United States and India. Meanwhile, mobile phone exports declined due to weaker component shipments, though strong finished product exports helped offset the drop. Exports of computers and peripherals also fell, affected by last year’s surge in SSD exports. By destination, exports increased to Taiwan (up 53.5 percent), Vietnam (up 20.8 percent), the EU (up 22.8 percent), Japan (up 13.0 percent), and China including Hong Kong (up 1.1 percent), driven largely by strong semiconductor shipments. Exports to the United States, however, fell 4.0 percent for the second consecutive month. ICT imports rose 10.4 percent year-on-year to $13.8 billion, with increases in displays, mobile phones, and computers/peripherals.    date2025-10-14

Korea Reappointed to ISO Technical Management Board

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, Administrator Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced that Korea has been reappointed to the Technical Management Board (TMB) of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) at the 47th ISO General Assembly, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 6 to 10. As a result, Korea will continue serving as a TMB member through 2028, with Professor Moon Young-Jun of KAIST representing the country in shaping ISO’s technical policy decisions.   The TMB is ISO’s key decision-making body that oversees the organization’s standardization activities, including the establishment and dissolution of technical committees, coordination among committees, and appointment of committee chairs. Korea’s reappointment demonstrates renewed international recognition of the nation’s strong standardization capabilities. During the General Assembly, Korea also proposed the establishment of a new ISO technical committee on GPS-based personal location service technologies and hosted a workshop to rally support from ISO member countries. Additionally, Korea signed MOUs with standardization organizations in countries such as Canada and Italy, and invited key stakeholders to attend the upcoming International AI Standards Summit scheduled for December. KATS Administrator Kim Dae-ja stated, “With this reappointment to the ISO Technical Management Board, Korea has further solidified its influence in the field of international standardization. We will continue to demonstrate leadership within ISO and strengthen our position as a trusted leader in global standardization.”   date2025-10-13

Korea Ramps Up AI Factories to Lead Global Manufacturing by 2030

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the the AI Factory M.AX (Manufacturing AI Transformation) Alliance Strategy Meeting (hereinafter “M.AX Alliance”) on October 1, bringing together leading manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to accelerate Korea’s rise as a global leader in manufacturing AI by 2030. The number of AI Factory pilot projects has surpassed 100, with a target of 500 by 2030. These projects apply AI to manufacturing to boost productivity, cut costs, and reduce carbon emissions. Examples include Samsung Electronics using AI for semiconductor inspections, Hyundai Motor deploying AI-powered robotic arms for flexible production, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developing AI robots for ship maintenance. Humanoid robots will also begin field demonstrations this year at six sites across the display, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors. Companies including Samsung Display, CJ Logistics, LG Electronics, and SK Energy will test robots for various tasks, with more than 100 projects planned through 2027 to gather data and train AI. MOTIR will further expand the initiative to cover the entire production cycle, from factory design to supply chains and logistics. By integrating robotics, digital twins, and advanced infrastructure, Korea aims to establish fully autonomous “dark factories” and become the world’s leading exporter of AI factories by 2030. Minister Kim emphasized, “The age of AI is a race against time. By leveraging Korea’s manufacturing strengths and data, we can lead the world in AI factories. Through the M.AX Alliance, we will break down regulatory barriers, focus resources, and place Korea firmly on the path to global leadership in manufacturing AI.”   date2025-10-02

Korea and UK Discuss Trade Cooperation Amid Global Trade Shifts

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced that Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo held a video conference on October 1 with Chris Bryant, the UK Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, following Minister Bryant’s request for an introductory meeting. The two sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation and addressing major trade issues under the current uncertain global trade landscape. The UK is Korea’s sixth-largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching USD 11.21 billion in 2024 under the Korea–UK FTA signed after Brexit. The UK also ranks as Korea’s third-largest European investor (cumulative as of 2024), with active two-way investment between companies serving as a key driver of growth in both economies. Minister Yeo congratulated Minister Bryant on his appointment and expressed hope for close communication amid the uncertain global trade environment. He also discussed compromise measures to ensure a balanced reflection of both sides’ key interests to reach an early conclusion of the Korea–UK FTA FTA amendment negotiations, and exchanged views on the UK’s trade issues, including its trade agreement and large-scale investment agreements. Minister Yeo further emphasized the need for measures to ease corporate burdens, such as adjusting reporting cycles, in relation to the UK’s introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). He conveyed Korean industry’s concerns and requests regarding the UK’s strengthened steel safeguard measures and electric vehicle subsidy program, and called for cooperation and support from the UK government, along with continued bilateral consultations.   date2025-10-02

Korea to Strengthen R&D Support System for Global Foreign-Invested Companies

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced that it held the 2nd Korea–Global Innovation Investment Alliance on Wednesday, October 1, at the Toray Advanced Materials Korea Magok R&D Center. The meeting brought together foreign-invested companies newly joining the 2025 FIE-dedicated R&D program, along with Korean public research institutes and investment associations, to strengthen the R&D support system for FIEs. To promote R&D by FIEs in Korea, MOTIR launched the Global Industry–Technology Cooperation R&D Program in 2024 and has steadily expanded its budget (KRW 1.5 billion in 2024 → KRW 4.5 billion in 2025 → KRW 6 billion proposed for 2026). The ministry also plans to diversify the scale and forms of support to improve the quality of R&D outcomes. This meeting expanded participation beyond FIEs and public institutions to include public research institutes and investment-related associations. Through additional R&D investment by FIEs (KRW 25 billion), technology development support, and investor relations (IR) activities, the Alliance will actively support SMEs participating in projects to gain entry into global supply chains. At the same time, an MOU was signed among participating FIEs, research institutes, universities, and industry partners to strengthen cooperation. Key areas include policy measures to expand investment by selected FIEs, stronger R&D collaboration with Korean research institutes, and support for IR activities by Korean SMEs. The initiative aims to encourage the inflow of leading global technologies into Korea and broaden participation in the innovation ecosystem. Yu Beop-min, Director-General for Investment Policy at MOTIR, stated, “The government will continue to expand R&D support for foreign-invested companies as part of Korea’s efforts to become a global R&D hub, contribute not only to revitalizing regional economies and boosting domestic employment, but also to fostering shared growth between global and Korean companies amid supply chain restructuring.”   date2025-10-02

Korea’s Exports Hit Record High in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced on October 1 that Korea’s exports in September 2025 rose 12.7 percent year-on-year to USD 66.0 billion, while imports increased 8.2 percent to $56.4 billion. The trade balance posted a surplus of $9.6 billion, the largest in seven years since September 2018. Exports reached an all-time monthly high for the first time in three and a half years, continuing growth for the fourth consecutive month. Third-quarter exports also set a record at $185.0 billion, averaging over $60.0 billion per month. On a daily average basis, exports came to $2.8 billion, the second-highest September figure on record, reflecting the impact of more working days. By item, 10 of Korea’s 15 major export categories posted growth. Semiconductor exports jumped 22.0 percent to $16.6 billion, hitting a new record for the second straight month on strong demand for high-value memory such as HBM and DDR5. Automobile exports rose 16.8 percent to $6.4 billion, the highest ever for September, supported by robust sales of electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles, as well as a sharp increase in used car exports. Ship exports grew 21.9 percent to $2.9 billion, marking seven straight months of growth. Biohealth exports also reached a record high of $1.7 billion (up 35.8 percent). By region, exports increased in eight of Korea’s nine major markets. Exports to China rose 0.5 percent to $11.7 billion, ending a four-month decline. Exports to ASEAN climbed 17.8 percent to $11.1 billion, the highest ever for September, while exports to the EU surged 19.3 percent to $7.2 billion, also a record high. Exports to the Middle East, India, Latin America, Japan, and CIS countries all posted strong growth, while exports to the United States fell 1.4 percent to $10.3 billion due to slower shipments amid tariff-related conditions. MOTIR Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated, “Korea’s exports set a new all-time record in September, a valuable achievement despite difficult conditions such as slower shipments to the U.S. amid tariff-related challenges. This demonstrates the ability of Korean companies to quickly diversify their export markets.” He added, “Facing persistent uncertainties, including ongoing tariff negotiations, the government will continue to strengthen policy support to ensure our companies sustain their export competitiveness.”   date2025-10-01

Korea and Uzbekistan Sign MOU to Strengthen Cooperation on Technical Regulations

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 30 with the Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation (Director Akmal Jumanazarov) to strengthen cooperation on technical regulations. The MOU expands bilateral cooperation on exchanging information and resolving issues related to technical regulations into a formal cooperation framework, aimed at easing technical barriers to trade (TBT) and supporting mutual market entry. This marks a significant step forward from the previous practice of relying only on case-by-case consultations. Uzbekistan was the fourth-largest source of technical regulation difficulties for Korean companies last year. As a non-WTO member and a country without a free trade agreement (FTA) with Korea, there had been no official negotiation channel, making companies dependent on individual consultations. For example, in March this year, exports of home appliances faced customs delays due to requirements for “certification by container,” but the issue was resolved through consultations between the two sides by adopting a representative model sampling inspection method. Under the MOU, the two countries will operate an annual joint expert working group with both government and private-sector participation to regularly discuss regulatory issues, focusing on major export items such as textiles and home appliances, and to develop concrete cooperation measures. A business roundtable was also held, with participation from Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, where they discussed local regulatory trends, shared challenges, and explored countermeasures. KATS President Kim Dae-ja stated, “This MOU will strengthen Korea–Uzbekistan cooperation on technical regulations, helping to reduce procedural uncertainties and export hurdles for Korean companies. Through regular consultation channels, we will respond more swiftly to local regulations, support business activities, and contribute to enhancing trade and industrial competitiveness.”   date2025-09-30