Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister Kim Jung-kwan), together with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA, President and CEO Kang Kyung-sung), hosted the Korea–Japan Investment Forum on Friday, October 17, at The Okura Tokyo. The forum aimed to attract investment from Japan’s advanced materials, parts, and equipment companies into Korea. This event marked MOTIR’s second major overseas investment promotion this year, following the Korea–France Investment Forum in September.

The event brought together approximately 150 participants, including executives from leading Japanese high-tech companies such as Tokyo Electron (TEL), Mitsui Chemicals, and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK). Participants discussed Korea’s advanced industry trends, foreign investment environment, and opportunities for Korea–Japan technological collaboration, while also sharing success stories and exploring future investment partnerships.

In particular, global semiconductor equipment maker TEL drew strong attention by presenting its successful investment experience in Korea. Since entering the Korean market in 2006, TEL has focused on semiconductor equipment supply and R&D, maintaining close collaboration with Korea’s major semiconductor anchor companies.

In his opening remarks, MOTIR’s Director General for Investment Policy Yoo Beop-min emphasized, “By combining Japan’s technological strength in materials, parts, and equipment with Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the two countries can jointly achieve supply chain stability and innovation in high-tech industries.” He added, “The Korean government will further strengthen cash grants and other incentives for foreign investors contributing to supply chain resilience, technological advancement, and job creation, while working to remove regulatory barriers to make Korea one of the most business-friendly countries in the world.”