Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

ASML Hwaseong Campus Opening Ceremony

Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, attended the “ASML Hwaseong Campus Opening Ceremony” on Wednesday, November 12, at the ASML Hwaseong Campus in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do.  The event was joined by ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet , Dutch Ambassador to Korea Peter van der Vliet, as well as representatives from local governments, related institutions, and companies. After delivering opening remarks, Director General Kang participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the campus.   Director General Kang emphasized the importance of foreign investment to Korea’s economic innovation and growth, noting that the government will continue to improve the investment environment through expanded cash grants, enhanced location and tax incentives, and regulatory improvements. He added that close coordination among local and central governments and partner countries is essential for advancing Korea’s semiconductor industry, expressing hope that Korea–Netherlands cooperation and investment will continue to deepen. date2025-11-14

Minister Kim Meets with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs

Minister Kim Jung-kwan of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met with Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar, on Wednesday, November 12, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation with a focus on energy supply chain collaboration.   Minister Kim noted that the meeting provided a meaningful opportunity to reinforce energy supply chain stability and expand practical cooperation in key sectors such as LNG, plant construction, and shipbuilding. He added that the ministry will continue to strengthen high-level dialogue channels with Qatar and pursue concrete project-based partnerships. date2025-11-14

Korea’s Bioindustry Sees Growth in 2024: Production Up 9.8%, Exports Up 17.1%, Investment Up 46.1%

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) and the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO, President Ko Hansung) announced the results of the 2025 Bioindustry Survey (Based on 2024 Data), which covers the status of production, trade, employment, and investment in Korea’s bioindustry. Conducted under Article 3 of the Statistics Act, the survey is a national statistical report released annually by MOTIR through KoreaBIO, based on the previous year’s bioindustry performance. As biotechnology expands beyond pharmaceuticals and food into broader industrial applications and daily life, ushering in the era of the bioeconomy, this survey provides valuable insight into the scale of Korea’s biotechnology-based economy. According to the findings, Korea’s bioindustry production reached KRW 22.9 trillion, marking a 9.8 percent increase from the previous year and signaling a recovery in growth. Bioindustry exports rose 17.1 percent year-on-year, driven by increased shipments of major products such as antibody drugs and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing (CMO) services, which in turn boosted overall production. Investment also surged, with R&D spending up 3.2 percent and large-scale facility investment up 145.3 percent, resulting in a 46.1 percent increase in total investment. Choi Woo-hyuk, Director General for Advanced Industry Policy at MOTIR, stated, “Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global trade environment, Korea’s bioindustry is regaining momentum. We will continue to strengthen support for companies’ efforts in research and development, production, and export expansion so that the bioindustry can play an even greater role in contributing to the Korean economy and employment.”   date2025-11-13

Korea and the UK Hold Sixth Round of FTA Upgrade Negotiations

Kwon Hye-jin, Director General for FTA Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and Korea’s chief negotiator, met with her UK counterpart, Adam Fenn, Deputy Director at the UK Department for Business and Trade, together with delegations from both countries at the sixth round of Korea–UK FTA upgrade negotiations on Monday, November 10, at Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeouido. After delivering opening remarks, the two sides held detailed negotiations across eight subcommittees, covering areas such as services, investment, digital trade, finance, and general provisions.   During his visit to the negotiation venue, Trade Minister Yeo noted that the upgraded Korea–UK FTA is expected to become a modern and comprehensive agreement covering not only expanded market access but also emerging issues such as supply chain resilience and digital trade norms. He encouraged both delegations to make every effort to resolve the remaining issues and conclude the negotiations swiftly. date2025-11-13

Korea and Qatar to Strengthen Cooperation in Energy Supply Chains, Plant, and Shipbuilding Sectors

Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan met with Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar and CEO of QatarEnergy, in Seoul on Wednesday, November 12. The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing on energy supply chain collaboration. The meeting, arranged during Minister Al-Kaabi’s visit to Korea, provided an opportunity for the two countries to discuss key issues related to energy supply chain stability and exchange views on expanding practical cooperation in the plant construction and shipbuilding sectors. Both ministers commended the longstanding partnership between Korea and Qatar in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, which has helped maintain a stable supply chain. They also discussed Qatar’s ongoing plans to expand LNG production and shared perspectives on broadening cooperation across industrial and resource-related fields, including stable energy supply. Recognizing the close interconnection between LNG trade and related industries such as plant construction and shipbuilding, the two countries agreed to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in these areas. MOTIR stated that this meeting with Qatar’s top energy official served as a meaningful opportunity to reinforce energy supply chain stability and expand practical cooperation in key industrial sectors. The ministry added that it will continue to strengthen high-level dialogue channels with Qatar and pursue concrete project-based partnerships in LNG, plant construction, and shipbuilding. date2025-11-13

K-Fashion, Food, and Beauty Industries to Drive the Next Phase of K-Exports

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo visited MUSINSA Standard Seongsu, a leading K-fashion retailer, on Wednesday, November 12, to examine the current status of K-fashion exports. He also held a roundtable with representatives from major retail and distribution companies, including MUSINSA, Delivered Korea, Coupang, CJ Olive Young, and Kurly, to discuss industry challenges and strategies for expanding exports of K-consumer goods. The visit and discussions were organized to explore ways to promote consumer goods exports through experienced retail platforms amid the global rise of K-culture and growing demand for K-consumer products. MOTIR plans to strengthen support for fostering K-consumer goods industries as new growth engines for exports. First, the ministry will promote premium branding of K-consumer goods by enhancing marketing efforts linked to the Korean Wave. It plans to expand promotional opportunities through major events such as K-pop concerts and the Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo (KBEE) while allowing trend-setting retail platforms to take the lead in planning and executing marketing initiatives. Second, MOTIR will work to resolve export challenges related to logistics, certification, and intellectual property rights. In cooperation with KOTRA’s overseas trade offices, the ministry will provide tailored logistics infrastructure for consumer goods and expand consulting and information services on foreign certifications, such as halal standards. Lastly, the ministry will support the expansion of direct-to-consumer (D2C) exports through online platforms. It aims to help Korean retailers grow into global platforms by assisting with the establishment and promotion of global online malls, as well as supporting partnerships with local logistics providers, and facilitating customs clearance and certification procedures. Trade Minister Yeo stated, “Our retail platforms serve as a key bridge connecting K-consumer goods with overseas consumers. As capable Korean retailers expand globally, more products from Korean SMEs are reaching customers worldwide. To further establish K-exports as a new growth engine, MOTIR will incorporate today’s discussions into the upcoming ‘Plan to Expand Exports of K-Consumer Goods Linked to the Korean Wave,’ which will be announced later this year.” date2025-11-13

ASML Completes Hwaseong Campus, Strengthening Cooperation in Advanced Semiconductor Technology

Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan), attended ASML’s “Hwaseong Campus Opening Ceremony” held on Wednesday, November 12, in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. ASML, a leading global semiconductor equipment company based in the Netherlands, exclusively manufactures extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment—essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processing—and supplies it to major companies worldwide, including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and TSMC. The newly completed ASML Hwaseong Campus serves as the company’s key hub in Asia, integrating a remanufacturing center for advanced equipment components such as DUV and EUV lithography systems, along with a training center for advanced technology transfer. The campus is expected to enhance supply chain stability in Korea’s semiconductor industry and advance technology localization. Furthermore, ASML plans to use the campus to strengthen technical cooperation and knowledge exchange with Korean semiconductor firms such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while building an ecosystem linking Korea’s materials, parts, and equipment companies—thereby advancing a mutually beneficial cooperation model with Korea’s semiconductor industry. In his congratulatory remarks, Director General Kang emphasized that “foreign investment is a key driver of Korea’s economic innovation and growth.” He added, “The government will continue to foster a favorable investment environment for global companies by expanding cash grants, enhancing location and tax incentives, and improving regulations.” He further noted, “Close cooperation among local governments, the central government, and partner countries is crucial for the advancement of Korea’s semiconductor industry. Today’s opening ceremony is an excellent example of such collaboration.” He concluded, “I hope that cooperation and investment in the semiconductor industry between Korea and the Netherlands will continue to deepen in the future.” date2025-11-13

Vice Minister Moon Attends Launch of K-Quantum Industry Alliance

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources attended the launch ceremony of the K-Quantum Industry Alliance held on Wednesday, November 5, at Lotte Hotel Seoul. The event was attended by Rep. Lee Eon-ju; Kang Kyung Sung, President of KOTRA; Chun Yoonjong, President of the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology; Min Byungjoo, President of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology; and representatives from quantum technology suppliers and user companies, universities, research institutes, financial institutions, and support organizations. After delivering congratulatory remarks, Vice Minister Moon took part in an MOU signing ceremony to promote the industrialization of quantum technology. date2025-11-10

Trade Minister Yeo Meets with The Korea Society President Thomas J. Byrne

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met with Thomas J. Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society, on Tuesday, November 4, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Jung-gu, Seoul. The two discussed ways to strengthen Korea–U.S. cooperation in industry and energy and to improve bilateral visa policies. date2025-11-10

Korea to Strengthen Global Competitiveness in Nanotechnology Standards

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) announced that, in cooperation with the Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency and the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, it will host the 2025 ISO/TC 229 (Nanotechnologies) Plenary Meeting from Monday, November 10, to Friday, November 14, at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon. ISO/TC 229, a technical committee under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), develops international standards for nanotechnologies applied across cutting-edge industries such as biotechnology, displays, and quantum technology. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the committee’s establishment. The plenary meeting will bring together about 100 participants from more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Japan, and China, as well as Korean industry and academic experts, to discuss global standardization issues related to nanotechnology measurement standards, health and safety, and sustainability. Korea is currently leading the development of ten international standards in areas including nanomaterial particle characterization, nanoproduct applications, and health and safety assessments of nanotechnologies. KATS expects that hosting this plenary meeting will increase the likelihood of the ten Korea-proposed standards being adopted as formal international standards, thereby strengthening the global competitiveness of Korean companies utilizing nanotechnology—including those in the display, future mobility, and biotechnology sectors. President Kim Dae-ja stated that KATS will continue to expand the development of international standards and Korean Industrial Standards (KS) in the nanomaterials sector to enhance Korea’s competitiveness in advanced industries, while also contributing to industrial development in health- and safety-related fields. date2025-11-10