Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the second Korea–EU dialogue on supply chains and industrial policy with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) in Seoul on May 21, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of MOTIR and Kerstin Jorna, Director-General of DG GROW.

The dialogue was launched after Korea and the EU agreed at their summit in May 2023 to expand the existing industrial policy dialogue to cover supply chain cooperation. The first meeting was held in December 2023, and the second meeting reviewed progress in supply chain and industrial policy cooperation and discussed practical ways to advance future cooperation.

The two sides first shared their policies to stabilize supply chains, as global disruptions have become a persistent risk amid escalating geopolitical tensions and threats such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Korea introduced its supply chain legislation, enacted to build a government-wide support framework, and its early warning system, which quickly detects signs of supply-demand risks in key items such as materials, parts and equipment. The two sides also exchanged views on the EU’s progress and plans for its supply chain monitoring system.

The two sides also discussed industrial policy trends and major legislative and policy priorities. Korea emphasized that key EU initiatives, including the Industrial Accelerator Act, should be designed and implemented to strengthen Korea–EU supply chain links. Korea also asked the EU to give careful consideration to concerns raised by Korean companies.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on supply chains in strategic industries, including critical minerals and batteries. On critical minerals, they explored ways to share information, analyze risks and collaborate on investments and projects to help build stable and sustainable supply chains. On batteries, Korea explained that Korean battery companies are helping build the EU’s battery production base and strengthen its supply chains through large-scale investments in the EU. Korea also asked for Korean companies to play a larger role in battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the EU.

The two sides also discussed ways to expand investment cooperation between Korean and European companies. They agreed that combining European companies’ core technologies with Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities could help strengthen supply chain stability and industrial competitiveness. They also agreed to expand cooperation and investment in advanced industries. They further discussed using cooperation platforms such as the EU Business Hub to identify new partnerships in strategic sectors, including green industries, digital industries and healthcare, and to turn B2B cooperation into tangible industrial outcomes.

“Korea and the EU are strategic partners that share the universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law. They are also economic partners with strong potential to complement each other in advanced industries and supply chains,” Vice Minister Moon said. “We hope this second dialogue will lead to practical outcomes and serve as a key channel for strengthening Korea–EU supply chain stability and industrial cooperation.”

MOTIR will continue to expand supply chain cooperation with the EU in strategic industries, including critical minerals and batteries, and strengthen bilateral cooperation on economic security and industrial policy.