Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Minister Ahn meets Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn met Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on May 7 in Prague with both countries’ government delegations and discussed cooperation in industry, energy, construction, infrastructure, and science technology. date2025-05-09

Korea and Saudi Arabia Expand Cooperation in Advanced Industries

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) is hosting the Korea-Saudi Business and Investment Forum on May 9, 2025, in Seoul. The forum is anticipated to promote economic cooperation between the two countries across advanced sectors such as the digital industry, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, healthcare, and culture. The forum is part of efforts to strengthen bilateral partnership under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 national strategy, and brings together 250 business leaders of both countries to explore avenues for collaboration and discuss tangible opportunities across promising new industries such as IT, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, special zone development, healthcare, and entertainment. The forum brought together 120 Korean and Saudi companies, including Saudi Telecom Company (stc), Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), and Saudi’s first EV manufacturer Ceer. From Korea, about 100 companies already working with Saudi partners or seeking new business opportunities also took part. Deputy Minister for Trade Park Jong-won attended the forum, stating in his congratulatory remarks that the Korean government will actively leverage intergovernmental cooperation channels and work toward the early entry into force of the Korea-GCC FTA to expand the scope of business cooperation between the two countries. date2025-05-09

Czech nuclear reactor project localization agreement ceremony

Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn attended the Czech nuclear reactor project localization agreement ceremony on May 7 in Prague with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček and other leaders of both countries' governments and businesses. date2025-05-09

41st APEC Automotive Dialogue Opens in Jeju Island

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) announced that the 41st APEC Automotive Dialogue (AD) will be held at the International Convention Center Jeju (ICC Jeju) on May 9–10, 2025, on the sidelines of the second APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM2). The APEC AD is a public-private forum where government officials and industry representatives from member economies share major policy issues and industrial trends and discuss cooperation in the automotive industry. Launched in 1999, it serves as APEC’s main platform for dialogue on diverse automotive issues, including electric mobility, autonomous driving, and trade. As chair of APEC 2025, MOTIE is co-chairing the 2025 meeting with the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA). Officials and industry representatives from 16 member economies, including Chile, China, Japan, and the United States, will take part. Key agenda includes the automobile industry and market trends, EV transition, autonomous driving, AI technology, and future mobility. During the event, Korea will present on core issues in the shift to future mobility, including EV architecture innovation, battery recycling, hydrogen mobility and fuel cell technology, and purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). The discussions are expected to strengthen cooperation among member countries and facilitate exchanges on industrial technologies and policy trends. date2025-05-09

MOTIE Holds APEC Sustainable Supply Chain Forum

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) is hosting the APEC Sustainable Supply Chain Forum at the International Convention Center Jeju (ICC Jeju) on May 9, 2025, with the participation of the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) and experts from governments, industries, and research institutions across APEC member economies. The forum will examine ways to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of global supply chains by sharing public-private cooperation measures. The forum features three presentation sessions and a panel discussion. The first session addresses the shift in supply chain priorities from efficiency to sustainability and resilience. The second session introduces best practices for addressing major challenges the private sector faces in building sustainable supply chains. The third session covers strategic approaches for sustainable supply chain cooperation among APEC members.   In the panel discussion, participants will exchange views on practical cooperation measures to build global supply chains across the APEC region. Through this forum, MOTIE aims to lay the groundwork for Korean companies to preemptively respond to global supply chain realignment through sustainability and resilience. The forum’s outcomes will also be incorporated into future policy development. date2025-05-09

U.S. CEBA Officially Joins CFE Initiative

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) announced on May 8, 2025, that the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) officially joined the Carbon Free Energy (CFE) Initiative. CEBA is the largest U.S. organization representing clean energy buyers, consisting of over 400 members, including global tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. On May 6, 2025, (local time) in Minnesota, U.S., the Carbon Free (CF) Alliance and CEBA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation under the CFE Initiative. The signing took place during CEBA Connect: 2025 Spring Summit, CEBA’s flagship annual event, attended by former IPCC Chair and CF Alliance Chairman Lee Ho-seung. Under the MOU, CEBA will represent the U.S. private sector in the CFE Global Working Group. It will also join the CF Alliance’s efforts to establish global CFE certification standards, including the definition and scope of carbon-free energy and methods for verifying and certifying carbon credits. With CEBA’s participation, membership in the CFE Global Working Group rises to seven: Korea, Japan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Czech Republic, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). Based on the MOU, the CF Alliance and CEBA agreed to cooperate in a range of areas to promote the diffusion of carbon-free energy sources. Their cooperation will include convening annual joint international conferences and engaging in technology and policy information exchanges. The CFE Initiative has already won support from major countries and organizations such as Japan, the UK, France, and the IEA. In October 2024, the CFE Global Working Group was launched, which now includes public and private experts from around the world. Other organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the IEA, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), have also expressed support, and consensus is growing across the international community on the need to harness various carbon-free energy sources. Companies in Korea and abroad also expressed support for the CFE Initiative, viewing it as more inclusive, cost-effective, and technology-neutral than other similar initiatives. It is also considered more business-friendly in terms of scalability in developing countries and its recognition of Scope 1 emission reductions. date2025-05-08

Korea and Czech Republic Deepen Comprehensive Economic Cooperation

Minister Ahn Duk-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held separate talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Senate President Miloš Vystrčil on May 7, 2025, during a visit to the Czech Republic by a special Korean delegation of government officials and National Assembly representatives. The two sides discussed measures to deepen comprehensive economic cooperation and signed a total of 14 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in nuclear energy and high-tech industries. Minister Ahn and the government delegation first met with Prime Minister Fiala and discussed cooperation in industry, energy, construction, infrastructure, and science and technology. In Prime Minister Fiala’s presence, Minister Ahn and Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček signed a Korea-Czech arrangement on nuclear reactor cooperation, building on an MOU signed in September 2024. The two countries’ governments agreed to work together for the success of the Dukovany power plant project, the possible addition of two more reactor units, and joint entry into third country markets. The two ministers also signed an MOU on battery cooperation to strengthen their joint response to the EU Battery Regulation. Minister Ahn and Minister Vlček also discussed cooperation in nuclear energy and high-tech industries, including batteries and automobiles. In their presence, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and other Team Korea members signed 10 MOUs with Czech companies for cooperation on the Czech nuclear reactor project. The two countries also agreed to deepen strategic cooperation in high-tech industries beyond unclear energy. In line with the Vltava Advanced Industries Cooperation Vision announced on September 20, 2024, they signed a letter of agreement to establish an automotive cooperation center and a robotics cooperation center. The agreement is expected to enhance collaboration in R&D, talent training, and demonstration projects. Korea’s National Assembly members and government officials also met Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and discussed extensive bilateral cooperation in –nuclear reactors, high-tech industries, energy, and construction. As 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the Korea–Czech strategic partnership, Minister Ahn noted that the two countries have further solidified their mutual trust. He stated that Korea will make efforts to closely communicate with the Czech side to finalize the new reactor contract as soon as possible. date2025-05-08

K-Humanoid Alliance Expands Collaboration Across Korea’s Robotics Industry

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) announced on May 1, 2025, that the K-Humanoid Alliance, launched on April 10, 2025, is creating momentum for new collaboration across Korea’s robot industry. Within three weeks of its launch, participating companies signed four memorandums of understanding (MOUs), while talks were underway for additional MOUs, purchase contracts, and joint technology development. Five domestic robot companies will support the development of a robot AI foundation model by supplying humanoid robots to the Seoul National University Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SNUAILAB), and more than 20 companies have already sought participation in the Alliance. On April 16, 2025, Rainbow Robotics and CJ Logistics signed an MOU to jointly develop and commercialize logistics robots. AeiROBOT, a multi-winner of international robotics competitions, also signed MOUs with POSCO E&C and HMD on April 16 and April 22, 2025, respectively, to develop humanoid robots for construction sites and shipyards. ROBOTIS, a leading Korean robot parts maker, unveiled its AI humanoid walker robot during an MOU signing ceremony on April 25, 2025, with the Korea Integrated Logistics Association (KILA), marking its entry into the humanoid robot business for automated logistics. Holiday Robotics, Blue Robin, and ROBROS are also in ongoing discussions with major domestic manufacturers to deploy robots at production sites. Cooperation between robot companies and AI experts is already gaining traction. Humanoid robot makers Rainbow Robotics, AeiROBOT, Holiday Robotics, ROBOTIS, and ROBROS plan to provide humanoid robots to SNUAILAB by 2025. Using data collected from these robots, SNUAILAB and a group of AI experts will test AI models and develop a foundation model for general-purpose robots.  Robot parts manufacturers are also stepping up collaboration with robot companies. Parts makers Wonik Robotics, Faraday Dynamics, and ROBOTIS are working with robot firms to develop core humanoid robot components such as robotic hands, actuators, and decelerators for joint participation in MOTIE’s R&D projects. MOTIE plans to support over 10 joint R&D projects under the Alliance over five years, reflecting the need for specialization in developing high-quality humanoid robots and securing mass production capacity. With more than 20 companies seeking to join the Alliance, a humanoid fund set for launch during the second half of 2025 is also drawing strong interest from the financial sector. To facilitate the Alliance’s operation in an organized manner, MOTIE will hold an inaugural meeting to establish rules and define roles and cooperation measures. Rules will cover new membership procedures, as well as guidelines on robot AI development, joint simulator development, funding, regular exhibitions, and talent training. date2025-05-02

Korea’s exports gain 3.7% in April

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on May 1 that Korea’s exports for April 2025 increased 3.7 percent year-on-year to USD 58.2 billion and imports decreased 2.7 percent to $53.3. billion, the trade balance netting a surplus of $4.9 billion. April exports logged historic highs for the month, maintaining an upward trajectory for the third month running. By item, seven out of 15 major export items saw growth. Semiconductors achieved an all-time high for the month with $11.7 billion (up 17.2 percent) as 8gb DDR4s’ fixed price rebounded for the first time in 12 months and robust demand for high-bandwidth memory chips (HBMs) continued. Wireless communication devices shot up 26.5 percent to $1.5 billion and kept up the growth momentum for the third consecutive month, led by the solid performance of smartphones (up 61.1 percent to $0.4 billion). Bio-health (up 14.6 percent to $1.4 billion) recorded the highest for the month as biopharmaceuticals soared 21.8 percent to $0.9 billion. Steel exports ended their four-month losing streak with $3.0 billion (up 5.4 percent) and secondary batteries snapped the 16-month decline with $0.7 billion (up 13.7 percent). Ship exports surged 17.3 percent to $2.0 billion, advancing for the second month in a row. Meanwhile, automobile exports dipped 3.8 percent but still reached this year’s new high at $6.5 billion. Conventional gasoline-powered vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) faltered, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) carried forward their strong growth momentum for the 14th consecutive month. Car parts exports gained 3.5 percent to $2.0 billion, turning to an expansion for the first time this year. Agricultural products attained fresh highs (up 8.6 percent to $1.1 billion) and cosmetics (up 20.8 percent to $1.0 billion) renewed their April monthly highs on the backs of the global popularity of K-food and K-beauty products. Exports of electrical devices were driven by transformers and power cables, setting record highs of $1.4 billion (up 14.9 percent). By region, Korea’s exports expanded to seven out of nine major overseas markets in April. China-bound exports grew 3.9 percent to $10.9 billion as semiconductor exports rebounded and wireless communication devices posted double-digit growth. To ASEAN, exports rose 4.5 percent to $9.4 billion with semiconductors and steel products at the helm. EU-bound exports secured unprecedented highs of $6.7 billion (up 18.4 percent) as automobiles and bio-health both hiked by double digits. Exports to India climbed 8.8 percent to an all-time high of $1.7 billion for the month, fueled by semiconductors, general machinery, and steel products. Exports to Latin America turned positive with $2.6 billion (up 3.9 percent). To the Middle East and CIS countries, exports increased for the third and second consecutive month, respectively, with $1.7 billion (up 1.6 percent) and $1.2 billion (up 37.2 percent). U.S.-bound exports shrank 6.8 percent to $10.6 billion despite strong demand for petroleum products, secondary batteries, and wireless communication devices as shipments of automobiles and general machinery contracted. In April, Korea’s energy imports declined 20.1 percent to $10.0 billion as imports of crude oil (down 19.9 percent) and gas (down 11.4 percent) diminished. Non-energy imports grew 2.4 percent to $43.4 billion.   date2025-05-02

Korea’s retail industry grows 9.2% in March

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced today that Korea’s retail industry climbed 9.2 percent year-on-year in March 2025, with offline sales falling 0.2 percent and online sales advancing 19.0 percent. MOTIE's monthly retail sales figures are based on surveys of 23 major retailers. Thirteen of them are brick-and-mortar retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, and four super supermarket (SSMs) operators. The remaining 10 are online retailers. A decline in consumer sentiment affected offline categories like fashion and home appliances, reducing sales at hypermarkets (down 0.2 percent) and department stores (down 2.1 percent). Meanwhile, sales at convenience stores (up 1.4 percent) and SSM operators (up 3.6 percent) increased due to their convenience in shopping local for small purchases. With the exception of food products (up 3.4 percent), hypermarkets slowed in most sales categories including home appliances/culture (down 20.2 percent), clothing (down 5.7 percent), and home/living (down 3.7 percent). Department stores likewise saw sluggish sales in all categories aside from food products (up 3.5 percent), experiencing downticks in foreign designer labels (down 2.7 percent), household goods (down 2.2 percent), miscellaneous goods (down 3.8 percent), and kids/sports (down 1.6 percent). Convenience stores and SSMs, on the other hand, enjoyed growth across both food and non-food categories. Online retail sales surged 19.0 percent, the second steepest rise since April 2024 (up 19.5 percent). Food products (up 19.4 percent) and service/other (up 78.3 percent) led the climb, driven by heightened online delivery services and demand for food delivery and e-coupons. In contrast, fashion/clothing (down 4.7 percent) and sports (down 10.1 percent) continued to slow.  Meanwhile, back-to-school demand fueled sales for home appliances/consumer electronics (up 7.8 percent) for the second consecutive month. Cosmetic products (up 7.5 percent) also maintained growth based on wider online demand.   date2025-04-29