Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

MOTIR to Invest KRW 268.5 Billion to Accelerate AI-Driven Transformation in Manufacturing

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it will allocate KRW 268.5 billion this year to Korea’s industrial innovation infrastructure program, which supports the establishment of research facilities and equipment to develop ultra-gap technologies and accelerate commercialization. This marks the program’s largest budget to date, up 11.5 percent from 2025, underscoring the government’s efforts to strengthen technological self-reliance and industrial competitiveness amid intensifying global technology competition. Full-Scale Investment in Core Infrastructure to Strengthen AI Capabilities in Manufacturing MOTIR plans to select 28 new projects this year (12 more than in 2025), with a total budget of KRW 28.0 billion, about 40 percent of which will be allocated to AI-based infrastructure.  By expanding AI facilities and equipment deployable directly at manufacturing sites—including AI autonomous laboratories and Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) infrastructure—the program is expected to help build an industrial base that supports Korea’s transition to AI-driven manufacturing. Transforming Shared Research Spaces into Nationwide Industrial Technology Hubs Starting with this year’s newly selected projects, MOTIR will require the establishment of shared research spaces nationwide, which will serve as regional industrial technology hubs. These spaces will be established at research centers in advanced technology fields, including AI, semiconductors, and secondary batteries, to facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions. This framework will bring together anchor companies, small and medium-sized suppliers, universities, and research institutes to advance practical technology development and accelerate commercialization. MOTIR will also pursue additional infrastructure support measures to better reflect on-site needs. These measures include upgrading and maintaining aging equipment at self-sustaining research centers with strong records of shared equipment use, as well as expanding AI autonomous laboratory infrastructure that supports the full experimental process—from virtual testing and experiment design to generating results. The industrial innovation infrastructure program will be announced in three rounds this year, with nine projects to be selected in the first round, scheduled for January 27, 2026. Further details are available on the websites of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) (www.motir.go.kr) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) (www.kiat.or.kr). Choi Yeon-woo, Director General for Industrial Technology Convergence Policy at MOTIR, stated that “early investment in research facilities and equipment is critical to maintaining competitiveness amid rapid technological advances, including the AI transition.” He added that “through the industrial innovation infrastructure program, the government will support companies in responding to new technologies by building shared infrastructure that is essential to industrial technology development but difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to establish independently. date2026-01-26

Korea and Bangladesh Hold Second Round of CEPA Negotiations

The second round of official negotiations on a Korea–Bangladesh Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 26 to 29, 2026. The talks come as interest grows in expanding economic cooperation with promising emerging markets amid shifting global and domestic trade conditions. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) said the talks will bring together delegations of around 60 officials from both countries. The Korean delegation will be led by Son Ho-young, Director of the Trade Agreement Coordination Division, while the Bangladeshi delegation will be headed by Ayesha Akther, Additional Secretary and Head of the Foreign Trade Agreement Wing at the Ministry of Commerce. Korea and Bangladesh launched CEPA negotiations in November 2024 and held the first round of talks in August 2025, exchanging views on the draft agreement text and identifying key issues. In the second round, the two sides plan to further advance the negotiations by deepening discussions across 13 areas of agreement—including goods market access, services, rules of origin, and economic cooperation—and by actively exploring ways to narrow remaining differences. Director Son stated that "Bangladesh is a rapidly growing emerging market in South Asia and the world’s eighth most populous country." He noted that "Concluding a CEPA with Bangladesh would support Korean companies' expansion into the region," and added that "Korea will engage constructively in the negotiations with a view to an early conclusion." date2026-01-26

Trade Minister Yeo Expands Outreach at the Davos Forum to Address Trade Issues and Restore Multilateral Order

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) attended the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, holding around 50 meetings with trade ministers from major economies, global business leaders, and leading international scholars. At the forum, he addressed key trade issues, expanded trade networks, supported efforts to restore the multilateral trading system, and promoted global investment, including by attending the WTO informal ministerial meeting and chairing the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) meeting. Held amid heightened global uncertainty under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” the Davos Forum drew record participation from government and business leaders, with discussions covering trade and investment as well as emerging issues such as AI, critical minerals, and digital technologies. Engagements with Government Counterparts On the sidelines, Trade Minister Yeo met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss pending Korea–U.S. trade issues and agreed to maintain close communication to sustain bilateral relations. He also met with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Senator Chris Coons to highlight the role of Korean investment in the U.S. and the importance of strengthening mutually beneficial industrial cooperation. Trade Minister Yeo discussed plans for consultations with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič aimed at identifying practical solutions to the EU’s steel import safeguard measures, and urged progress on resolving Canada’s steel import restrictions in talks with Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. He also exchanged views on the EU’s trade response to the U.S., including Greenland-related issues, with French and Swiss counterparts—France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier and Switzerland’s Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Helene Budliger Artieda—and discussed expanding bilateral industrial cooperation with Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat. Trade Minister Yeo also advanced efforts to diversify Korea’s trade network by accelerating ongoing FTA talks with key economies. He discussed signing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi; accelerating Korea–Thailand FTA negotiations with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun; launching Korea–Egypt CEPA talks with Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib; expediting Korea–Mongolia CEPA negotiations with Mongolia’s Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar; advancing a Korea–Bangladesh FTA with Bangladesh’s Special Envoy of the Head of the Interim Government Lutfey Siddiqi; and resuming Korea–MERCOSUR trade agreement discussions with Argentina’s Secretary of International Economic Relations, Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Fernando Brun. He also reviewed progress in the Korea–China FTA services and investment negotiations with China’s International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang, and discussed facilitating trade and investment under existing FTAs with Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Investment Promotion Nurul Ichwan and Cambodia’s Senior Minister of Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs Sok Siphana. Meetings with Business Leaders and Experts; Participation in Sessions Trade Minister Yeo met with chief executives from major foreign-invested companies, including Merc date2026-01-23

Meeting with Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Trade and Digital Economy

Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), met with Ali Murtopo Simbolon, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Trade and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, at Lotte Hotel Seoul on January 23, 2026.  The meeting was attended by senior officials from MOTIR and Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. During the meeting, Deputy Minister Park conveyed requests raised by Korean companies undertaking investment projects in Indonesia and called for progress on outstanding issues discussed at the ministerial level, including reforms to the SNI certification system and challenges related to hydropower project bids. He also proposed resuming the Korea–Indonesia Economic Cooperation Committee as a regular bilateral cooperation platform. date2026-01-23

Korea and Indonesia Hold Talks to Expand Investment Cooperation and Address Business Challenges

Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), met with Ali Murtopo Simbolon, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Trade and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, on January 23, 2026, at Lotte Hotel Seoul to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties. The meeting built on the two countries’ ministerial talks held on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju in October 2025. The two sides discussed ways to expand investment cooperation and to address specific hurdles that businesses face.  The two sides noted that more than 2,300 Korean companies operate in Indonesia across a wide range of sectors, including electric vehicles, batteries, steel, and chemicals, and contribute to the local economy. They agreed to work closely to foster a more investor-friendly environment and to further expand bilateral investment ties. Deputy Minister Park also conveyed requests from Korean companies undertaking investment projects in Indonesia and requested continued attention and support from the Indonesian government. Deputy Minister Park further urged progress in resolving outstanding issues raised at the ministerial meeting last October, including reforms to the SNI certification system and challenges Korean companies face when bidding for hydropower projects. Deputy Minister Simbolon said Indonesia would coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to help advance work on these issues. Deputy Minister Park also proposed resuming the Korea–Indonesia Economic Cooperation Committee, a regular bilateral consultative platform co-chaired by Korea’s Minister of MOTIR and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication with a view to convening the committee’s third meeting at an early date. date2026-01-23

Trade Minister Yeo Speaks at the Next-Generation Trade Facilitation Panel at the Davos Forum

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos Forum: Next-Generation Trade Facilitation panel on January 21, 2026, at the Congress Centre in Davos, Switzerland. The panel was attended by WEF leadership and board members: the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), trade ministers from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Cambodia, and Romania, and representatives from global companies, including Agility. During the panel, Trade Minister Yeo delivered remarks on a global trade facilitation alliance. date2026-01-22

Roundtable with Korean Companies Operating in Egypt

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a meeting with Korean companies operating in Egypt at the Ambassador’s Residence in Cairo on January 18, 2026. Participants included representatives from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Rotem, Hanwha Aerospace, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), TP Inc., Dana Petroleum, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). During the meeting, Trade Minister Yeo heard business concerns and requests related to financing and streamlined administrative procedures, and discussed practical measures for addressing operational challenges in a timely manner. date2026-01-20

Trade Minister Yeo Visits the Sokhna Industrial Zone in Egypt

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) visited the Sokhna Industrial Zone and the adjacent Sokhna Port within the Suez Canal Economic Zone in Egypt on January 18, 2026, to review the local investment environment for Korean companies operating in Egypt. The delegation included representatives of Korean companies operating in Egypt, officials from KOTRA, and experts from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP). Trade Minister Yeo noted that “MOTIR plans to strengthen support for Korean companies’ expansion into Egypt by providing essential market-entry information, including an investment guidebook reflecting the findings from the recent visit to the Suez Canal Economic Zone.” date2026-01-20

Trade Minister Yeo Meets with Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with Hassan El-Khatib, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, on January 18, 2026, at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade in Cairo. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade cooperation, including the Korea–Egypt Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and held a signing ceremony for a Joint Declaration on Advancing the Korea–Egypt CEPA. Trade Minister Yeo stated that “the visit marked a significant step in formally advancing CEPA talks with Egypt” and added that “the government will expedite negotiations, from launch through conclusion, to provide institutional support for stable trade and investment activities by Korean companies.” date2026-01-20

Trade Minister Yeo to Attend Davos Forum on Restoring the Global Multilateral Order and Revitalizing Trade and Investment

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 19-22, 2026 (local time). Held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” this year’s Davos Forum will bring together world leaders, global business leaders, and opinion leaders from approximately 70 countries for in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation, revitalizing global trade and investment, and identifying new engines of growth. Trade Minister Yeo will participate as a speaker in sessions on global trade and investment, addressing next-generation global trade facilitation, strengthening multilateral trade and investment, and growth strategies for emerging economies such as ASEAN. He will also meet with senior executives from major global companies—including Merck, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Maersk—to discuss ways to increase investment in Korea and deepen cooperation. Trade Minister Yeo will also attend the informal WTO ministerial meeting on January 22, where participants will discuss WTO reform priorities and ways to deliver concrete outcomes at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026. In particular, he plans to lead discussions on incorporating the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement—an initiative led by Korea—into the WTO framework. He will also hold bilateral meetings with trade ministers from key economies and partners, including the EU, Argentina, and Switzerland, to address market-entry challenges faced by Korean companies and explore ways to further strengthen Korea’s trade network. Trade Minister Yeo emphasized that “the Davos Forum is a global platform for political and economic dialogue among world leaders, and an opportunity to highlight Korea’s return to the international community underscoring the resilience of its democracy.” He added that “as a middle power drawing global attention, Korea will demonstrate global leadership by contributing to restoring the international economic and trade order amid an increasingly complex global environment.” He further noted that “MOTIR will leverage the Davos Forum to step up trade and investment outreach, with a focus on attracting global investment and addressing key trade issues in line with Korea’s national interests." date2026-01-20