Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korean Companies Going Global Beyond APEC

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that, in collaboration with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and other relevant organizations, it will host a series of business events during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, including the APEC CEO Summit, side events, and export and investment programs. Taking place from October 28 to 31, 2025, at the Gyeongju Arts Center, the CEO Summit is one of APEC’s two main cooperation platforms, serving as a bridge between policy and markets. The event will bring together heads of state from APEC member economies, global CEOs, and thought leaders to discuss key global issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change, while exploring innovative ideas and practical solutions. This year’s Summit, held under the theme “Bridge, Business, Beyond,” will feature 20 sessions covering topics such as AI and digital transformation, regional economic integration, sustainability, finance and investment, and biotechnology and health. Approximately 1,700 global business leaders are expected to participate in shaping the future of APEC. Among the speakers, President Lee Jae Myung and other APEC leaders will deliver special addresses. CEOs from major global companies—including NVIDIA, Citigroup, and Amazon Web Services (AWS)—as well as the Secretary-General of the OECD and heads of other international organizations, will also attend to share insights through presentations and discussions. APEC, with its voluntary, consensus-based decision-making structure and open, cooperative framework, has long served as an “incubator of ideas,” advancing innovative policy initiatives. Since its launch in 1996, the APEC CEO Summit has played a central role in driving these efforts. As a side event to the CEO Summit, the Future-Tech Forum (six sessions in total, October 27–28 and 30, 2025, at the Gyeongju Arts Center and Expo Park) has been specially organized this year to present a vision for the future of Korean industries and create new markets and business opportunities for Korean companies. Global industry leaders, tech companies, and renowned scholars are expected to share in-depth insights across key sectors such as AI, shipbuilding, and defense. Major sessions include the AI Forum—featuring AWS, OpenAI, and Meta—and the Shipbuilding Forum, joined by companies such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, Anduril, and Siemens, where participants will explore avenues of collaboration with Korean firms. Meanwhile, the K-Tech Showcase (October 28–31, 2025, Expo Park), featuring Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Group, and Hyundai Motor Company, will serve as a major platform to showcase the technological competitiveness of Korean companies. During the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, MOTIR will also host related events across Korea—including Seoul and other major cities—focusing on exports, investment, and innovation. Boom-Up Korea Week (October 21–November 7, 2025, held nationwide in Seoul, Ilsan, Busan, and Daegu) will feature large-scale export consultations connecting over 1,700 international buyers with Korean companies through 28 industry exhibitions nationwide, boosting export growth for Korean businesses. The Invest KOREA Summit (October 30–31, 2025, Seoul) will include investment signing ceremonies, conferences, forums, and consultations, and is expected to generate tangible investment outcomes in advanced industries and supply chain sectors. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Global Super Gap Tech Conference (October 28–29, 2025, Seoul) will support Korean deep-tech startups in developing new technology strategies, fostering their growth and accelerating their global market expansion. To maximize synergy across these events, MOTIR established an date2025-10-28

Vice Minister Meets Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met with Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ahmari, Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development of Saudi Arabia on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu. During the meeting, the two sides discussed industrial cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia and explored measures to support Korean business projects currently underway in Saudi Arabia.   date2025-10-28

Korea and Saudi Arabia Step Up Cooperation in Core Manufacturing and Future High-Tech Industries

As the largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa, Saudi Arabia is set to accelerate cooperation with Korea in key manufacturing sectors such as shipbuilding and automobiles, while partnerships in future high-tech industries—including artificial intelligence (AI)—are also expected to gain momentum. Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the Korea–Saudi Vice Ministerial Meeting on Industry with Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ahmari, Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development of Saudi Arabia, at the Government Complex Seoul on Monday, October 27, 2025, to discuss strengthening bilateral industrial cooperation and Saudi support for Korean business projects underway in the Kingdom. The meeting was also significant as it reviewed progress on major industrial cooperation initiatives discussed at the 5th Korea–Saudi Vision 2030 Committee, held in Seoul on September 27, 2025. Vice Minister Moon highlighted that Korean companies operating in Saudi Arabia have been actively contributing to Vision 2030, the Saudi government’s national strategy for economic diversification in the post-oil era. He requested continued attention and support from the Saudi government to ensure smooth implementation of related projects. Both sides agreed to maintain close government-level communication to support major industrial cooperation projects in Saudi Arabia’s core manufacturing sectors. These include International Maritime Industries (IMI), currently being developed within the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services as the largest shipyard in the Middle East, and Hyundai Motor Company’s first assembly plant in the Middle East, now under construction in King Abdullah Economic City. In addition, the two vice ministers agreed to pursue joint development of eco-friendly shipbuilding technologies to reduce carbon emissions through relevant research institutes, as proposed by Saudi Arabia and adopted at the 5th Korea–Saudi Vision 2030 Committee Meeting. They also agreed to continue discussions on establishing hydrogen vehicle infrastructure, including the installation of hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen quality management systems in Saudi Arabia, which Korea proposed as a new cooperation project at the same meeting. Vice Minister Moon further noted that as both countries are investing heavily in AI as a future growth engine, Korea and Saudi Arabia should accelerate cooperation in AI infrastructure, including advanced semiconductors and data centers, while also expanding collaboration in AI applications such as digital twins, cloud computing, and robotics. Assistant Minister Al-Ahmari welcomed these proposals and agreed to work toward their practical implementation. date2025-10-27

Korea Announces New Basic Plan to Strengthen Materials, Parts, and Equipment Industry

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced the 2026–2030 Basic Plan for Strengthening the Materials, Parts, and Equipment (MPE) Industry, outlining strategies to enhance innovation, market, and ecosystem capabilities to drive a new phase of growth and global competitiveness. The new plan builds on progress made since the 2019 Japanese export restrictions, which led to the first MPE Basic Plan (2020–2025) and accelerated Korea’s technological independence in key sectors. The revised plan aims to support advanced industries and strengthen economic security in an era of intensifying global competition, while responding to emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence (AI) and carbon neutrality. MOTIR will designate ten additional MPE Specialized Clusters by 2030 to expand Korea’s core manufacturing bases and foster cooperation between demand and supply companies. It will also launch 15 Super Eul Projects to develop world-leading technologies and five AI New Materials Projects to create materials for extreme environments using artificial intelligence. The government will promote collaboration in technology, production, and procurement across the value chain and advance ten ecosystem-based cooperation models to secure next-generation supply chains. Three new industry collaboration projects will receive KRW 35 billion in joint R&D and policy support over five years. Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim emphasized that the government will “reinforce the sector’s fundamental competitiveness through challenge, innovation, and speed,” adding that it will “expand fiscal, fund-based, and policy support while actively pursuing supply chain stabilization.” date2025-10-24

Korea and IDB Discuss Expanding Korea–Latin America Trade and Investment Cooperation

Yeo Han-koo, Trade Minister at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), met with Anabel González, Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in Seoul on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to exchange views on the global trade environment and discuss ways to expand trade and investment cooperation between Korea and Latin America. At the meeting, Trade Minister Yeo highlighted that Latin America—with a population of approximately 690 million and a GDP of around USD 7 trillion—is a vast market with abundant natural resources such as lithium and copper. He stressed that amid the global rise of protectionism and resource nationalism, Latin America is an important partner for Korea in diversifying markets and strengthening supply chain resilience. The minister noted that expanding trade and investment between Korea and Latin America would generate mutual benefits such as greater production and trade growth. He proposed three key directions for future cooperation: (1) diversifying trade through broader economic networks, (2) expanding collaboration in critical minerals, defense, and infrastructure, and (3) promoting private-sector investment through close government-to-government dialogue and cooperation. He also requested the IDB’s advice and support to further strengthen Korea–Latin America trade and investment, given the bank’s extensive regional network and expertise. In addition, Trade Minister Yeo stated that MOTIR is currently supporting industrial technology and green energy development in several Latin American countries—including Colombia, Honduras, Paraguay, and Guatemala—through official development assistance (ODA) projects. He proposed that Korea and the IDB jointly identify and design new ODA initiatives to further advance industrial development in the region. Trade Minister Yeo emphasized that Korea, home to many globally competitive enterprises, is an ideal partner for Latin America’s economic development, and requested the IDB’s cooperation in expanding Korean companies’ participation in IDB-led projects. date2025-10-24

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo Meets IDB Vice President

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met with Anabel González, Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to discuss ways to expand trade and investment cooperation between Korea and Latin America. date2025-10-24

2nd Korea–Germany Industrial Data Space Forum

Kang Kam-chan, Director General for Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, attended the 2nd Korea–Germany Industrial Data Space Forum held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Nine Tree Premier ROKAUS Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul. Co-hosted by MOTIR and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the forum brought together around 100 experts from industry, academia, and research, including representatives from the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, and AI solution companies. Director General Kang delivered opening remarks and discussed strategies to strengthen industrial data cooperation between Korea and Germany, sharing successful cases of collaboration. date2025-10-24

Korea and Germany Advance Industrial Data Cooperation to Accelerate Manufacturing AX

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it co-hosted the 2nd Korea–Germany Industrial Data Space Forum on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Nine Tree Premier ROKAUS Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul, together with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The event brought together around 100 experts from industry, academia, and research, including representatives from the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX), and AI solution companies. Overview of the 2nd Korea–Germany Industrial Data Space Forum Date/Venue: October 23, 2025 (Thu), 09:15 / Nine Tree Premier ROKAUS Hotel, Yongsan, Seoul Host/Organizer: MOTIR / KIAT Key Participants: [Korea] MOTIR (including the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards), KIAT, KICOX; [Germany] BMWK, Embassy of Germany in Korea, and organizations related to Manufacturing-X Main Agenda: Sharing of Korea–Germany industrial data utilization cases, policy cooperation discussions among MOTIR, KIAT, and KICOX, and consultations on the Korean Manufacturing-X initiative. Following the first forum held in October 2024, this year’s event was organized to discuss bilateral cooperation strategies and share best practices, as the Korean government plans to include the “Industrial Data Space Standard Model Project” in the 2026 national budget. To accelerate manufacturing AX through the integration of AI across manufacturing processes and the entire upstream and downstream value chains, collecting and utilizing reliable industrial data is crucial. Reflecting this need, MOTIR signed an MOU with ten major industry associations at the 1st Industrial AI EXPO on September 3, 2025, to establish a voluntary data-sharing framework among companies. At the forum, participants discussed strategies for building industrial data spaces tailored to Korea’s industrial environment and enabling manufacturing data sharing across key sectors. They also explored standardization and interoperability between Korean and German data spaces. Korean companies presented their technologies and demonstration cases in industrial data space development, while the German side shared progress and success stories from Catena-X, the automotive industry’s leading data space initiative. Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Industrial Policy at MOTIR, stated, “If Korea can leverage Germany’s experience and expertise from the successful implementation of Catena-X to build an industrial data ecosystem suited to our industries, it will be highly beneficial for Korean manufacturers. Through regular cooperation with Germany, a global leader in industrial data spaces, we will continue to build a global industrial data ecosystem through close public–private collaboration.” date2025-10-23

K-Semiconductors in the AI Era Poised for Record Exports as Industry Leaders Gather for Semiconductor Day

Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Moon Shin-hak attended the 18th Semiconductor Day ceremony held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, where he presented government awards to individuals who contributed to the advancement of Korea’s semiconductor industry. The ceremony brought together about 550 representatives from industry, academia, and research, including Song Jaihyuk, Chairman of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA) and President of Samsung Electronics’ Device Solutions Division, as well as Kwak Noh-jung, CEO of SK hynix. In his opening remarks, Chairman Song stated, “As AI adoption accelerates and demand for advanced semiconductors grows, Korea’s semiconductor exports are expanding rapidly, with the competitiveness of K-semiconductors drawing global attention.” He emphasized that amid technological paradigm shifts such as AI and quantum computing, semiconductors are a national strategic asset, and that this is a critical window of opportunity for proactive investment, talent development, and infrastructure expansion. In his congratulatory address, Vice Minister Moon noted, “Semiconductor exports are projected to exceed USD 165 billion this year, achieving an all-time high for the second consecutive year. In the AI era, Korea’s semiconductor industry will continue to strengthen its leadership in memory semiconductors while narrowing the competitiveness gap with advanced economies in areas such as system semiconductors, fabless, and materials, parts, and equipment. The government will remain steadfast in fostering semiconductors and other high-tech industries.” As of September 2025, semiconductor exports totaled USD 119.7 billion and are on track to post another record high, following last year’s performance. Semiconductors accounted for 23 percent of Korea’s total exports—which stood at USD 519.7 billion through September—maintaining their position as the country’s top export category. At the ceremony, a total of 83 individuals were recognized for their contributions to the semiconductor industry and to cooperation between large and small enterprises. The recipients included SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung, who received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, along with one recipient of the Silver Tower, one of the Bronze Tower, three Industrial Service Medals, three Presidential Citations, four Prime Minister’s Citations, 40 MOTIR Minister’s Citations, and 30 KSIA Chairman’s Awards. date2025-10-23

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Members to Review Supply Chain Cooperation

The Crisis Response Network (CRN) will conduct a joint tabletop exercise in Korea to enhance regional response capacity to supply chain disruptions in the Indo-Pacific region. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Korea, as chair of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) CRN, will host the 4th IPEF CRN Regular Meeting alongside a crisis response tabletop exercise at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The exercise marks the third joint drill since the CRN’s launch in 2024 as the implementing body of the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement. It aims to establish a systematic framework for supply chain crisis response and to assess the effectiveness of member coordination while strengthening collective response capacity. The scenario simulates a sudden shutdown of refining and processing operations in a critical mineral–producing country, triggering shortages and price spikes across IPEF member economies. Participating countries will practice a series of real-time response procedures, including sharing supply chain updates, assessing crisis escalation levels, coordinating joint responses, convening a ministerial meeting, and adopting a joint statement outlining policy cooperation. Compared with previous exercises, this drill features more detailed procedures, including stage-based response measures, bilateral consultations among countries with shared interests, and escalation to the ministerial level. In parallel with the exercise, Korea and Australia will share updates on the progress and future plans of their joint IPEF supply chain capacity-building initiative. Targeting seven member countries, the program aims to enhance regional supply chain resilience by providing tailored training on supply chain management, crisis response manuals, and policy development capabilities. As the central coordination body for supply chain cooperation under the IPEF, the CRN serves as the control tower for rapid information-sharing, policy coordination, and collective action during disruptions. Korea was elected as the CRN’s inaugural chair in July 2024 following the signing of the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement in 2023, and continues to play a leading role in strengthening supply chain crisis response. Lee Jae-keun, Director General for New Trade Strategy and Policy at MOTIR, stated, “Critical minerals are essential to achieving carbon neutrality and sustaining the competitiveness of advanced industries, making supply chain stability more crucial than ever. This exercise goes beyond a simple simulation and provides practical training that replicates real-world policy decision-making and response procedures.” He added, “At a time of heightened concerns over critical mineral supply chains, this exercise reaffirms the Indo-Pacific countries’ strong commitment to active supply chain cooperation. date2025-10-22