Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Global Energy Leaders to Gather in Busan as Energy Super Week Opens August 25

Energy Super Week will take place from August 25 to 29, 2025, at BEXCO and Nurimaru Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) House in Busan, Korea. This international event brings together global energy leaders in conjunction with the 2025 World Climate Industry EXPO (WCE), the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting (CEM16), the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting (MI-10), and the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting. The five-day event has been organized through inter-ministerial cooperation led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA). As chair of APEC 2025 KOREA, CEM16, and MI-10, Korea will advance discussions on global energy priorities and present AI-driven energy innovation and climate response strategies under the theme “Energy for AI & AI for Energy. More than 40 government delegations, 65 international organizations and institutions, 1,300 high-level participants—including global business executives—and 540 companies are expected to participate, positioning Korea as a focal point for international energy cooperation. 2025 WCE: Platform for AI and Energy Innovation ❶ The 2025 World Climate Industry EXPO (WCE) will be held from August 27 to 29, 2025, at BEXCO and co-hosted by the Korean government, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the World Bank (WB). The expo expands this year from a joint Korea–IEA event to a Korea–IEA–World Bank co-hosted event, raising its profile as a platform for global cooperation. Following opening remarks by Korea’s Prime Minister, leading figures in the global energy and climate sectors—including Fatih Birol, Executive Director of IEA, and Michelle Patron, Director of Sustainability Policy at Microsoft—will deliver keynote addresses.  ❷ The 2025 WCE will feature 12 global conferences, four of which are organized directly by international bodies such as IEA, WB, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Sessions will cover energy and AI, smart energy systems, and low-carbon innovation strategies, with participation from major global tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, and General Electric. Korean ministries and organizations will also run sessions to advance discussions on climate and energy solutions with international partners. Hosts include MOTIE, the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth (PCNCGG), Busan Metropolitan City, MSIT, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the Korea Forest Service (KFS), and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). ❸ The 2025 WCE will operate six exhibition halls showcasing around 540 companies, including Samsung and LG. Exhibits will highlight innovations across offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon reduction technologies. In the newly established “Energy Highway” hall, Korean power equipment companies will present next-generation power grids, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, energy storage systems (ESS), and digital power solutions. The hall will provide a dedicated venue to present the new Korean administration’s vision for energy transition to the international community. ❹ Alongside the conferences and exhibitions, the event will also offer a job fair and global networking programs, with participation from 45 Korean public energy corporations, Germany’s RWE, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and WB. The programs are expected to generate new job opportunities and expand international cooperation. Public engagement programs include a science YouTuber’s talk concert on August 28, 2025, an AI-robot camera experience, and a drone show at Gwangalli Beach on August 27 2025. APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting: Advancing Global Policymaking and Cooperation Ministerial meetings wi date2025-08-26

Minister Meets TerraPower Chairman Bill Gates

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with TerraPower Chairman Bill Gates on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Conrad Seoul to discuss energy cooperation between TerraPower and Korean companies. date2025-08-22

Minister Meets US Senators

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with US Senators Tammy Duckworth and Andrew Kim on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Lotte Hotel Seoul to discuss bilateral trade cooperation. date2025-08-22

Trade Minister Hosts Strategy Meeting for APEC Business Events

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo hosted a strategy meeting for upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business events on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Seoul. Following his opening remarks, the trade minister reviewed relevant agency preparations and discussed control tower operations and cooperative measures to achieve tangible outcomes from the APEC business events. The strategy meeting brought together officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, KCCI, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, and the APEC Preparation and Support Bureau. date2025-08-21

Minister Kim Meets US Senators to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) met with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Andrew Kim (D-NJ) in Seoul on August 19, 2025, to discuss strengthening Korea–U.S. cooperation in shipbuilding and other industries and expanding bilateral investment. Illinois hosts a large number of Korean companies in logistics, home appliances, and auto parts, thanks to its excellent transportation infrastructure and deep talent pool. New Jersey, with its strong market access and highly educated workforce, is home to the North American headquarters of major Korean conglomerates, as well as a broad base of Korean companies across diverse sectors, including electronics, food, and machinery. During the meeting, Minister Kim asked for the senators’ continued interest and support for Korean companies investing in Illinois, New Jersey, and across the United States. He also underscored the importance of stable and consistent U.S. policies that facilitate foreign direct investment in the U.S. to ensure further bilateral economic ties. Minister Kim cited Hanwha Philly Shipyard near New Jersey as a successful example of Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation, noting the collaboration between the Korean shipbuilder and the state in sourcing qualified professionals and rebuilding the shipbuilding ecosystem. He called for continued support from the U.S. Congress to deepen bilateral shipbuilding cooperation across a broader range of areas, including commercial ships to naval vessels, emphasizing that Korea has world-class shipbuilding capabilities and technology and is a reliable partner for the U.S. Both sides agreed on the need to develop new policies and enhance bilateral partnership amid a rapidly shifting trade landscape. Meanwhile, MOTIE will provide support measures for industries vulnerable to the outcome of the Kore–U.S. tariff talks, and continue to devise mid- and long-term measures to strengthen industrial competitiveness and respond to the evolving trade environment. date2025-08-21

Korea’s Auto Industry Posts Comprehensive Growth in July

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on August 19 that Korea’s automobile exports, domestic sales, and production all rose year-on-year in July, marking a solid start to the second half of 2025. Automobile exports grew for the second consecutive month, reaching $5.8 billion (up 8.8 percent year-on-year). This was driven by a 5.8 percent rise in new vehicle exports and a 17.0 percent surge in eco-friendly vehicle exports, namely electric vehicles (EVs, up 12.3 percent), hybrid vehicles (up 18.1 percent), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (up 31.7 percent). By destination, automobile exports to the EU climbed 32.7 percent to $0.7 billion, while those to non-EU regions soared 78.7 percent to $0.6 billion year-on-year. Exports to the Middle East declined 13.8 percent to $0.4 billion, largely due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Meanwhile, domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles set a new monthly record in July, accounting for 55.3 percent of total automobiles sold in Korea. In particular, EV sales spiked 69.4 percent year-on-year to nearly 26,000 units. As of July 30 (US local time), Korea and the US agreed to set tariffs on automobiles and auto parts at 15 percent, easing much of the trade uncertainty. The Korean government plans to support the automobile industry in swiftly adapting to the new trade environment and secure growth momentum through financial aid, technology development, and new market opportunities. date2025-08-20

MOTIE Hosts Strategy Meeting for Upcoming APEC Business Events

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister JK Kim) hosted a strategy meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul to ensure meaningful economic outcomes from upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business events. In line with the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting week scheduled for October, MOTIE is preparing various business events, including the CEO Summit, Invest KOREA Summit, and Export Boom-Up Korea Week. The strategy meeting brought together relevant agencies to review preparations and discuss cooperative measures for tangible outcomes. At the meeting, MOTIE also discussed steps to attract top global business leaders and launched the control tower for the APEC business events. The control tower will focus on practical deliverables, such as facilitating engagement and partnerships between Korean and global companies, promoting investment, expanding exports, and identifying new collaborative projects. In his opening remarks, Trade Minister Yeo stated that the recent conclusion of Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations eased some export uncertainties, but risks persist amid a weakening multilateral trading system and growing protectionism. He added, “This year’s APEC business events should serve as a springboard for companies to take the next step forward.” He also noted that global attention is converging on APEC 2025 KOREA as it convenes amid rapid shifts in the trade landscape. Trade Minister Yeo stressed, “We must demonstrate open, middle-power leadership by facilitating cooperation between APEC member economies and contributing to regional economic revitalization.” This year marks the first time in 20 years that Korea is serving as APEC Chair. APEC 2025 KOREA will be the largest international event hosted under the new administration, providing an opportunity to showcase the country’s economic resilience and mature democracy to the world. date2025-08-19

Vice Minister Meets Oman’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon met with Oman’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals H.E. Mohsin Hamad Al Hadhrami on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Conference House Dalgaebi in Seoul. The two sides discussed cooperation in energy sectors, such as green hydrogen, renewable energy, and plants. date2025-08-19

Trade Minister Meets US Representatives

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with US Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Richard McCormick on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul to discuss bilateral economic cooperation and trade negotiations. date2025-08-19

Trade Minister Meets Japanese Ambassador to Korea

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Korea Mizushima Koichi on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul. The two sides discussed tangible measures to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation in industries, trade, and energy. date2025-08-19