Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Trade Minister Meets with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 2026 (local time), to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and hear concerns raised by the U.S. side. date2026-01-14

Trade Minister Meets with ITIF President

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with Rob Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), at the ITIF headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 2026 (local time). During the meeting, Trade Minister Yeo outlined Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and heard concerns raised by the U.S. side. date2026-01-14

Trade Minister Visits CSIS

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) visited the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 2026 (local time). During the visit, Trade Minister Yeo outlined Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and heard concerns raised by the U.S. side. The meeting was attended by Victor Cha, Korea Chair at CSIS, along with other CSIS officials. date2026-01-14

Trade Minister Meets with U.S. Trade Representative

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), at the USTR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 2026 (local time), to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and hear concerns raised by the U.S. side. date2026-01-14

Trade Minister Meets with U.S. Senator Andrew Kim

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with U.S. Senator Andrew Kim (D-New Jersey) at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 2026 (local time), to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and hear concerns raised by the U.S. side. date2026-01-14

Trade Minister Meets with U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym (IN-02) at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 2026 (local time), to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and hear concerns raised by the U.S. side. date2026-01-14

Joint Press Release on the Substantive Conclusion of Discussions for the Republic of Peru’s Accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement

The Parties to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) are pleased to announce the substantive conclusion of discussions for the Republic of Peru’s accession to this world-leading digital trade agreement. Digitally signed in 2020 by Chile, New Zealand and Singapore, the DEPA is the world’s first standalone digital economy agreement and represents a forward-looking model for economic engagement and trade in the digital era. The Agreement reinforces commercially meaningful digital trade rules, fosters new approaches and collaborations in digital trade, promotes interoperability across different regulatory frameworks, and addresses emerging challenges arising from digitalisation. Designed as an open and inclusive framework, the DEPA is open to economies that are able to meet its high standards. The Republic of Korea joined the DEPA on 3 May 2024 as the first new member economy. Peru formally requested accession to the DEPA on 23 May 2023, and an Accession Working Group was established on 7 November 2024 to assess the request. Following a comprehensive assessment, the Accession Working Group, chaired by the Republic of Korea, agreed that, based on Peru’s existing legal framework, policies and practices, Peru has demonstrated its capacity to comply with the DEPA’s provisions. Peru has also shown a strong commitment to engaging constructively with DEPA Parties on areas of shared interest, including digital trade facilitation, consumer protection and cross-border data flows. The DEPA Parties will now continue to work with Peru to advance the remaining steps of the accession process in a timely manner, consistent with each Party’s domestic procedures and the DEPA Accession Process. Chile’s Vice Minister of International Economic Relations Claudia Sanhueza said, “Chile and Peru share a long history of economic integration and forward-looking trade cooperation. In this context, Chile warmly welcomes the substantive conclusion of discussions for Peru’s accession to the DEPA, a step that strengthens our joint commitment to building a high-quality regulatory framework that promotes digital trade. This milestone deepens our shared vision for a modern and inclusive digital economy and opens new opportunities for regional cooperation and innovation.” New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay said, “New Zealand is pleased to join Parties in inviting Peru to accede to the DEPA. Throughout the process, Peru has demonstrated that it shares our commitment to progressive, high-quality digital trade rules and the DEPA’s vision. Peru’s accession will strengthen DEPA as a leading high standards digital economy agreement and we look forward to working closely with them to advance its objectives.” Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said, “Singapore warmly welcomes the substantive conclusion of Peru’s accession negotiations to the DEPA. This marks another important milestone for the DEPA. The expansion of the DEPA’s membership will unlock more opportunities and add further weight to the DEPA’s ambition to foster more open digital markets. We look forward to partnerships with Peru through the DEPA to expand and enhance collaborations in digital trade. We are hopeful that the DEPA will continue to attract like-minded partners who share our vision in digital economy cooperation.” The Republic of Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-Koo said, “We welcome the substantial conclusion of Peru’s accession negotiations to Digital Economy Partnership Agreement. Peru is an important partner that shares DEPA’s vision of an open and inclusive digital trade order. Peru’s accession represents a meaningful step forward in advancing the DEPA as a global platform for digital trade cooperation date2026-01-14

Trade Minister Meets with NFTC President

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with representatives of the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) in Washington, D.C., on January 12, 2026 (local time), to hear updates on developments related to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments. The meeting was attended by Jake Colvin, President of the NFTC, along with other NFTC officials. date2026-01-13

Trade Minister Meets with CCIA President

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with representatives of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) at the CCIA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 12, 2026 (local time), to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and hear concerns raised by the U.S. side. The meeting was attended by Matthew Schruers, President and CEO of the CCIA, along with other CCIA officials. date2026-01-13

Trade Minister Meets with U.S. Representative Darell Issa

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (CA-48) at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., on January 12, 2026 (local time), to outline Korea’s domestic digital legislative developments and hear concerns raised by the U.S. side. date2026-01-13