Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (Asien-Pazifik-Konferenz, APK) in Seoul on October 30, 2026. He outlined ways to strengthen industrial cooperation among Korea, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific region in response to changes in the global economic order. He then signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on a Framework for an Economic and High-Tech Partnership between Korea and Germany with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. He also supported the signing of nine memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between Korean and German companies and institutions. That evening, MOTIR hosted Korea Night for approximately 600 business leaders from Korea, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific region to promote private-sector exchanges and expand economic cooperation.

The APK is the German business community’s flagship event for cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region and was held in Seoul in 2026 in commemoration of its 40th anniversary. The conference was held in conjunction with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to Korea, providing an opportunity to expand bilateral economic cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration amid changes in the global trading environment.

1. APK Panel Discussion

On the morning of October 30, Minister Kim participated in a panel discussion on how changes in the global economic order affect economic relations between Germany and the Indo-Pacific region. Other leading figures who participated in the discussion included Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Roland Busch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG and Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA). Participants discussed shifts in the global economic order and ways to expand industrial cooperation. 

Minister Kim noted that Korea and Germany, both heavily reliant on manufacturing and exports, face common challenges amid growing uncertainty in global supply chains. He attributed this uncertainty to intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition, rising protectionism, and the increasing treatment of critical minerals as strategic assets. To stabilize supply chains and enhance economic security, he therefore emphasized the need to expand cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, which has resources and growth potential, and strengthen solidarity among trusted partners.

In particular, Minister Kim highlighted the complementary strengths of Korean and German industries. He proposed expanding joint research and development and technological cooperation by combining Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities in sectors such as semiconductors and batteries with Germany’s expertise in precision machinery and industrial automation. This cooperation would cover strategic sectors such as AI for manufacturing, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Specifically, he introduced Korea’s Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) policy and its experience conducting demonstrations in industrial settings, and outlined opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the use of industrial data and AI for manufacturing.

2. MOU Signing Ceremony

MOTIR then signed the Joint Declaration of Intent on a Framework for an Economic and High-Tech Partnership between Korea and Germany with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The declaration is significant in that it establishes a comprehensive framework for expanding bilateral economic cooperation, which has centered on trade and investment, to include strategic areas such as economic security, supply chains, and advanced industries.

Specifically, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the following areas: information sharing and early warning for critical mineral supply chains; refining, smelting, recycling, and joint resource development in third countries; protection of critical technologies; and advanced industries, including semiconductors, mobility, batteries, and industrial AI. They also agreed to continue identifying specific cooperation projects through a high-level consultative body.

In addition, Korean and German companies and institutions signed nine MOUs in the presence of leading figures from both countries. The agreements established a framework for cooperation in power and energy, biohealth, startups, and advanced technology, including fostering startups and helping companies enter each other’s markets.

“Korea and Germany are industrial powers that lead global manufacturing and key partners that must respond together to changes in the global economic order,” Minister Kim said. “Building on this economic and high-tech partnership, the two countries will develop bilateral cooperation, which has centered on trade and investment, into a strategic partnership that encompasses economic security and advanced industries. Korea will also further strengthen its role as a base for German and other European companies entering the Indo-Pacific region.”

3. Korea Night Economic Exchange Event

In the evening, Korea Night, an economic exchange event held as part of the APK, took place in Seoul with Minister for Trade Park Jung-sung of MOTIR in attendance. Approximately 600 government and business representatives from Korea, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific region attended, including Roland Busch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG and APA Chairman, and Peter Adrian, President of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).

The event was organized to showcase Korea’s industrial and technological strengths and investment environment, and to promote exchanges and create new business opportunities among business leaders from Korea, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific region. The program included presentations on Korea’s strategy for innovation through AI in manufacturing and its investment environment, Korean cultural performances, and business networking, giving participants an opportunity to explore ways to expand economic cooperation.

“Overcoming difficult global economic conditions requires us to expand partnerships rather than build walls,” Minister Park said. He asked Germany and countries across the Asia-Pacific region to join Korea in promoting openness and innovation at a time when protectionist policies, including the European Union’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), are spreading.