Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Minister Ahn meets U.S. Senator Mark Kelly

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S. Senator Mark Kelly on February 28 (local time) in Washington D.C. and discussed measures for stronger cooperation in the shipbuilding industry. date2025-03-04

Minister Ahn meets U.S. Secretary of the Interior

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on February 28 (local time) in Washington D.C. and discussed measures for stronger cooperation. date2025-03-04

Minister Ahn meets PIIE President

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) President Adam Posen on February 28 (local time) in Washington D.C. and discussed Korea’s effective response measures to bilateral trade issues and requested for support towards facilitating intergovernmental cooperation. date2025-03-04

Minister Ahn meets CSIS President and CEO

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) President and CEO John Hamre on February 27 (local time) in Washington D.C. and discussed U.S. economic policies and Korea’s response strategies. date2025-03-04

Minister Ahn meets U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on February 27 (local time) in Washington D.C. and discussed stronger shipbuilding cooperation and Korea’s exclusion from U.S. tariff plans. The two sides agreed to establish a working-level consultation channel on tariff issues. date2025-03-04

Minister Ahn meets Heritage Foundation President

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met Heritage Foundation President Kevin D. Roberts on February 26 (local time) in Washington D.C. for discussions on U.S. economic policy directions and Korea’s strategic response measures. date2025-02-28

Korea-Australia Green EPA Business Forum

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong of the Republic of Korea attended the Korea-Australia Green Economy Partnership Arrangement (EPA) Business Forum on February 26 in Seoul and gave an opening message to the two countries’ business and related reprensentatives including Australian Ambassador to Korea Jeff Robinson. date2025-02-28

Korea and Japan Launch Mineral Resources Cooperation Dialogue

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) held the first Korea-Japan Mineral Resources Cooperation Dialogue in Tokyo on February 27, 2025, to begin active bilateral cooperation aimed at stabilizing the critical minerals supply chains essential for the development of advanced industries. At today’s meeting, MOTIE’s Director General for Resources Industry Policy Yoon Chang-hyun and METI’s Deputy Director-General for Manufacturing Industries Hideyuki Urata discussed the two countries’ critical minerals policies, critical minerals stockpiling cooperation, and measures for joint production in third countries. Given that both Korea and Japan operate critical minerals stockpiling systems as part of their economic security policies, the two sides agreed to establish a system for close cooperation in responding to global critical minerals supply chain risks. They also agreed to boost cooperation on the joint development and production of critical minerals in third countries to decrease supply chain risks by supporting collaboration between private-sector businesses and relevant institutions in the two countries. Moreover, both sides will work to establish international norms for critical minerals and stabilize supply chains by strengthening joint policy efforts through the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). They will also develop joint strategies for responding to global supply chain risks. As Korea and Japan are major critical minerals importers with similar industrial structures and strengths in advanced industries such as semiconductors and batteries, the two countries expect considerable synergy from cooperation in critical minerals supply chains. They plan to continue expanding their scope of strategic cooperation through the Korea-Japan Mineral Resources Cooperation Dialogue and other channels to respond effectively to global supply chain crises. date2025-02-27

Korea and Australia to Expand Business Cooperation in Climate, Energy, and Supply Chains

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) held the Korea-Australia Green Economy Partnership Arrangement (EPA) Business Forum in Seoul on February 26, 2025. The Forum was held as follow-up to the bilateral Green EPA signed by the two countries’ relevant ministries in December 2024.  Held to expand business cooperation in climate, energy, and supply chain areas, today’s Forum sought to create tangible joint business opportunities in clean hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and critical minerals. The Forum brought together major companies from both countries to review progress in clean energy cooperation, establishing the groundwork for wider and more concrete collaboration in the future. Given Korea and Australia’s central roles in the Asia-Pacific region’s clean hydrogen supply chain, the two sides explored joint measures to establish a stable hydrogen supply chain system and reviewed opportunities to participate jointly in global CCUS projects through the cross-border carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage cooperation framework developed under the Green EPA. They also discussed measures to promote joint research to diversify critical minerals supply chains and increase joint investments in clean energy technology development. Korea’s Minister for Trade Cheong In-kyo expressed hope that the two countries would produce tangible results in the global clean energy market by combining Korea’s clean energy technology and Australia’s abundant resources.  Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Jeff Robinson highlighted that the bilateral Green EPA would help the two countries catalyze energy transitions, strengthen supply chains, and boost economic opportunities. Building on the Forum, MOTIE plans to continue supporting Korean companies seeking to participate in global clean energy projects and pursue other opportunities for overseas cooperation. date2025-02-26

KNCP to Proceed with Mediation in Complaint Against Oxy Reckitt Benckiser

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) held this year’s first Korean National Contact Point (KNCP) Committee meeting on February 25, 2025, and announced the results of its initial assessments of two complaints filed under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.  Concerning the complaint filed by a UK non-governmental organization (NGO) against Korean exporter Company “A,” the KNCP determined that there was little need to proceed to mediation and decided to dismiss the complaint, thereby closing the case. With regard to the complaint filed against humidifier disinfectant manufacturer and seller Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, the KNCP decided to proceed with mediation. The complaint was filed by two Korean consumers alleging violations related to human rights and consumer protection. After reviewing the statements and materials submitted, the KNCP determined that it is necessary to arbitrate the dialogue between concerned parties and initiate the mediation process. Going forward, the KNCP plans to form a mediation committee composed of private sector KNCP members and proceed with mediation on the basis of relevant parties’ voluntary participation. Should the parties reach an agreement, the KNCP will announce the mediation outcomes. Should the parties fail to reach an agreement, the KNCP will issue a final statement containing its recommendation and close the case. date2025-02-25