Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and France Discuss Trade Issues and Cooperation in Advanced Industries and Technology

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 21st Korea–France Industrial Cooperation Committee meeting and the 9th Korea–France New Industries Technology Cooperation Forum in Seoul on November 4, 2026. MOTIR organized the events as a follow-up to President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to France in September to substantially strengthen bilateral cooperation in emerging industries. 1. 21st Korea–France Industrial Cooperation Committee Meeting Kim Young-man, Director General for Trade Policy at MOTIR, and Thomas Courbe, Director General for Enterprises at France’s Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, led their respective delegations at the 21st Korea–France Industrial Cooperation Committee meeting. The two sides exchanged views on the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), including issues concerning the automotive industry. They also shared updates on advanced industries, including automobiles, shipbuilding and biotechnology, and on policies on critical mineral supply chains. Korea requested France’s active cooperation in ensuring that Korea is included among the EU’s trusted partner countries under the proposed IAA. The proposal would require production within the EU as a condition for access to public procurement and subsidies. Korea also conveyed its concerns about the Joint Franco-German Press Statement on the Future of the European Automotive Industry, issued on October 16, 2026. It asked France to give the issue particular attention and help ensure that Korean-made vehicles face no discrimination in future discussions. The two sides then agreed to run a Korea–France working group on the automotive industry. This agreement follows up on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on industrial cooperation signed by their ministries during President Lee’s visit to France in September 2026. In addition to France’s electric vehicle subsidy scheme, the group would discuss measures for industrial cooperation, including in automotive supply chains. The two sides then outlined their governments’ main policy directions for advanced industries, including automobiles, shipbuilding and biotechnology. They also discussed how to pursue bilateral cooperation in the future in light of recent changes in global trade. 2. 9th Korea–France New Industries Technology Cooperation Forum  Approximately 200 participants attended the forum, including representatives of organizations conducting joint research and development (R&D) projects between Korea and France, as well as industry, academic and research representatives interested in technology cooperation. Launched in 2014 and now in its ninth edition, the forum brings participants together to share achievements in bilateral technology cooperation and identify new joint R&D projects and partners. This year’s forum was held under the themes of Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) and “deep tech.” Companies from both countries, including Hankook & Company, Naver Cloud, Mistral AI and Thales Korea, presented technology trends as well as examples of applications in industry, and explored ways to cooperate. Participants then introduced programs supporting joint R&D between Korea and France and highlighted successful examples of cooperation. Between 2014 and 2025, the two countries jointly provided KRW 53.1 billion for 24 projects, generating commercialization revenue and patent outcomes. One featured example was technology to verify AI stability being jointly developed by ThinkforBL, a Korean company that assesses AI trustworthiness, and Numalis, a French AI validation company. The technology is expected to be used in aerospace and rail, where high reliability is required. In the afternoon, companies from both countries presented ideas for technology cooperation. Korea&rsquo date2026-11-05

From K-Pop to Taekwondo, K-Robots Take Center Stage at KINTEX

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) is hosting Robotworld 2026 at KINTEX in Goyang from November 4 to 7, 2026. The event is jointly organized by the Korea Association of AI Robot Industry (KAR), the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA), and the Institute of Control, Robotics, and Systems (ICROS). This year’s exhibition is the largest to date, with 402 participating companies and 1,198 booths. AI has recently been driving rapid change in the global robotics industry. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), approximately 603,000 industrial robots were installed in factories worldwide in 2025, an all-time high and an 11 percent increase from 2024. The number of industrial robots in operation also exceeded five million for the first time. Amid deepening labor shortages and growing AI adoption, robots are evolving from machines that repeat predefined tasks into “physical AI” that can make decisions and act autonomously.  Korea is also at the center of this shift. According to IFR data for 2024, Korea has the world’s highest robot density in manufacturing, with 1,220 robots per 10,000 workers. Against this backdrop, Robotworld 2026 offers visitors an opportunity to examine the current state of the robotics industry in Korea and abroad and assess its future direction. Robotworld opened with Korean-made humanoid robots performing K-pop choreography and taekwondo forms. Leading robotics companies from Korea and abroad are showcasing their robots’ performance and technological capabilities to buyers and visitors. Ahead of the launch of the public-sector robot deployment program in 2027, companies at the K-Robot Public Pre-Market Pavilion are showcasing robots intended for public-sector use and demonstrating their key functions. These include humanoid, four-wheeled, quadruped, and care robots. A total of 22 companies are participating, including Raion Robotics (quadrupeds), LG Electronics (humanoids), and Clobot (four-wheeled robots). Public-sector organizations are assessing the robots’ performance firsthand at the exhibition and continuing detailed discussions with robotics companies, building on a product briefing on four-wheeled and quadruped robots for public-sector use held on October 28 and 29, 2026. The K-Defense Commercial Robotics Technology Roadshow is also being held. The roadshow serves as a forum where private robotics companies showcase their advanced technologies to defense officials, while civilian and military participants jointly explore potential defense applications for robotics. “With a wealth of manufacturing data and a highly skilled technical workforce, Korea has strong potential to become a global robotics powerhouse,” said Lee Min-woo, Deputy Minister for Industry and Growth at MOTIR, in his congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony. “We will strengthen policy support so the robotics industry can quickly realize its potential and grow into an industry as important to Korea as semiconductors. We will also draw on private-sector capabilities to accelerate the adoption of robots in our defense sector.” Following the opening ceremony, 25 individuals received government awards and commendations from MOTIR for their contributions to the robotics industry. The recipients included Ryu Jae-wan, CEO of SBB Tech, who received the Industrial Service Medal for helping develop and supply domestically produced core robot components. The awards were presented in the robotics category at the 2026 ceremony honoring contributions to the machinery and robotics industries.   date2026-11-05

Invest KOREA Summit 2026 to Showcase New Investment Opportunities Under Korea’s 5+3 Growth Strategy and M.AX

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will hold Invest KOREA Summit 2026 (IKS), Korea’s largest foreign investment promotion event, from November 4 to 6, 2026, at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Seoul. The summit will bring together around 2,000 participants, including representatives from about 200 overseas companies visiting Korea to explore investment opportunities, as well as foreign-invested companies, the diplomatic corps and foreign chambers of commerce in Korea, local governments, and Korean and international media.  Foreign direct investment (FDI) notifications in Korea exceeded USD 36 billion in 2025, a record high. They reached USD 22.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2026, up 10.8 percent from a year earlier, as investment momentum continued. Globally, however, investors are growing more cautious. Geopolitical uncertainty and higher financing costs are prompting companies to scrutinize actual demand and commercial viability more closely. As companies weigh investment decisions more carefully, competition among countries to attract investment is expected to intensify. Against this backdrop, this year’s summit will focus on regional growth and AI under the slogan “M.AX KOREA: Where Next Growth Begins.” It will spotlight the new drivers of growth and business opportunities that Korea’s Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces (5+3) growth strategy and manufacturing AI transformation (M.AX) will create across the country. A key focus will be translating Korea’s industrial and regional growth plans, including its three megaprojects in semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers, into investment by global companies. On November 4, the opening day of the summit, seven global companies will file investment notifications totaling approximately USD 2 billion at the investment notification ceremony.  The investments focus on regional development and strategic industries. Investment outside the Seoul metropolitan area accounts for 97 percent of the total (USD 1.97 billion) and spans sectors ranging from AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing to the clean energy that supports them. Alongside the investment notification ceremony, three R&D centers operated by foreign-invested companies will receive official designation. The three companies are Edwards (a UK manufacturer of vacuum pumps for semiconductor production), Valeo (a French supplier of components for autonomous vehicles), and IBIDEN (a Japanese producer of graphite for semiconductor manufacturing). All three centers are located outside the Seoul metropolitan area and are expected to build regional R&D capacity and strengthen local ecosystems for advanced industries. On the same day, the Invest KOREA Conference will open with welcome remarks by Minister for Trade Park Jung-sung. Lee Jun-ho, Senior Vice President of LG CNS, and Samir Menon, founder and CEO of U.S.-based Dexterity, will deliver keynote addresses. The two speakers will draw on their companies’ experience as leaders in the field to show how businesses are implementing AI transformation and applying physical AI in industrial operations. Representatives of foreign-invested companies will then take part in a panel discussion titled “Investment Opportunities Created by Korea’s Three Megaprojects.” This year’s summit will also expand its regional investment promotion program. Local governments will hold briefings on local investment conditions in three industry tracks covering semiconductors and AI, biotechnology and healthcare, and future mobility, logistics, and batteries. Investors will be able to explore regional industrial capabilities and business opportunities in the sectors that interest them. On November 6, the final day of the summit, on-site investment briefings will take place in four regions (Gwangju–Je date2026-11-05

KS for Fire-Resistant Building Materials Updated to Reflect Product Characteristics and Improve Safety

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Kyu-sung), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), revised three Korean Industrial Standards (KS) for gypsum boards and sandwich panels on November 4, 2026, to reflect the characteristics of building materials currently sold and used in construction and improve fire safety. In response to a request from the Korea Fire-rating Building Material Association (KFBMA) to revise the KS, KATS gathered feedback through expert reviews by the relevant technical committee, meetings with the construction industry, and public consultation on the proposed changes as it worked on the revisions. The revised standards add a range of thicknesses for sandwich panels to accommodate regional temperature variations and meet energy efficiency rating requirements. To align fire performance requirements with the technical standards of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the revised standards explicitly require insulation materials to be noncombustible or semi-noncombustible and the panels’ outer steel sheets to be at least 0.5 mm thick. For gypsum boards, the revised standards add specifications for 19 mm boards, which are the most widely used on the market, and set performance requirements for properties including flame resistance, thermal resistance, and flexural breaking load. They also allow product markings on either the back or the edge, rather than only on the back, so the markings can be easily checked even when boards are stacked for storage. “In revising the KS, we focused on ensuring that the standards reflect industry needs and the characteristics of products currently sold and used,” said Kim Kyu-sung, President of KATS. He emphasized, “We will continue to actively gather feedback from industry and improve national standards to enhance both safety and industrial competitiveness.” date2026-11-04

Preliminary Assessment Service for Factory Permits Becomes Easier and More Convenient to Use

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT, Minister Hong Jee-sun) have substantially upgraded their preliminary assessment service for factory permits, which they have jointly operated since March 2025. Individuals and businesses planning to establish a factory can now conduct preliminary assessments of potential sites and permitting requirements, including applicable regulations, more easily and quickly. The service searches and analyzes applicable laws and regulations to assess whether a factory can be established at a candidate site. It also uses 3D geospatial data that replicates actual terrain to simulate building layouts, earthwork volumes, slopes, and allowable building area (building coverage and floor area ratios), helping users identify the best site in advance. The ministries developed the service by linking MOTIR’s online support system for factory establishment (Factory-On) with MOLIT’s Digital Twin National Land platforms (V-World, K-GeoP) and launched it in March 2025. The main upgrades, which make it easier and faster for individuals and businesses to identify optimal factory sites suited to their industry and the characteristics of each region, are as follows: 1. Identifying optimal sites: From basic assessments to site recommendations tailored to each factory Even without specialist knowledge of how to set up a factory, users can receive automatic recommendations for optimal sites based on an analysis of site attractiveness, including industrial vitality and population dynamics. Users can now specify search criteria for sites suited to the type of factory they plan to establish, such as location, area, land category, and officially assessed land price, and receive recommendations down to specific site addresses in a single search. 2. Smartphone access: Assess sites anytime, anywhere Until now, users could access the preliminary assessment service only on PCs in offices or other indoor settings. The latest upgrade has also introduced a smartphone service, allowing users to conduct preliminary assessments (including regulatory checks) during site surveys. Further details of the service will be available at the 2026 K-Geo Festa, held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from November 4 to 6, 2026. At the event, the two ministries plan to run an interactive booth where visitors can try out the preliminary assessment service, including selecting factory sites that meet their requirements and running simulations to analyze sites for permitting. They will also provide consulting and training for businesspeople and professionals in related industries, guiding them through a one-stop process: receiving factory site recommendations, analyzing and assessing sites for permits in a 3D environment, and submitting permit applications online. “The preliminary assessment service for factory permits is a leading example of innovation that applies digital twins and geospatial information to everyday life, making public administrative services more useful and convenient,” said Lee Dae-seop, Director General for Spatial Information Policy at MOLIT, adding that the ministry plans to expand the service to other types of permits. “The upgrades have made it easier and more convenient for individuals and businesses to use the service, from finding factory sites to checking permitting requirements,” said Lee Jae-seok, Director General for Regional Economic Policy at MOTIR. “We will continue working with MOLIT and local governments to develop the system so that anyone, anywhere in the country, can receive one-stop support from factory site selection through permitting.” date2026-11-04

2026 Foreign Company Day Honors Contributors to Foreign Investment in Korea

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 2026 Foreign Company Day ceremony on November 3, 2026, to recognize foreign-invested companies and representatives of related institutions that have contributed to attracting foreign investment. At the 26th annual event, Minister for Trade Park Jung-sung congratulated those who contributed to Korea’s record-high FDI performance last year and encouraged foreign-invested companies to expand their investment. A total of 45 awards were presented at the ceremony, including orders and medals of merit and presidential, prime ministerial, and ministerial commendations. Park Il-yong, Chairman for East Asia Pacific at Air Liquide Korea, received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for helping ensure a stable supply of gases used in semiconductor manufacturing. Yang Sung-hwan, Senior Vice President of Amkor Technology Korea, received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for helping expand investment in semiconductor back-end processing. Terius Roh, President and Representative Director of Tokyo Electron Korea Ltd., received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for helping strengthen technological competitiveness in semiconductor equipment. Other recipients were also recognized for helping attract investment in advanced industries, including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, and renewable energy. Their investments are expected to strengthen supply chains for Korea’s advanced industries, create quality jobs, and revitalize regional economies. “Foreign investment has been a key driver in strengthening the competitiveness of Korean industry and creating new opportunities for growth,” Minister Park said. “We will create a stable and predictable investment environment so that a single investment can lead to further investment, technological cooperation, new jobs, and growth.” Meanwhile, Invest KOREA Summit 2026 will open on November 4, providing a venue to explore new investment opportunities with global companies. MOTIR plans to use the summit to create opportunities for investment and cooperation with foreign-invested companies in advanced industries, while continuing to address on-the-ground challenges facing businesses and improve the investment environment. date2026-11-04

MOTIR Minister Promotes Korean Consumer Goods to Global Shoppers at K-Sale Festa

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited stores participating in K-Sale Festa in Seoul’s Hongdae area on November 2, 2026, to promote the shopping festival and Korean consumer goods. K-Sale Festa is held as part of the Korea Grand Festival, a nationwide shopping festival. It brings together online and offline retailers, including hypermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, and online shopping malls; manufacturers, including automakers and home appliance companies; and service providers to hold a large-scale sale. In addition to this sale, this year’s festival is expanding its reach beyond the domestic market through its first promotion for overseas consumers, featuring leading companies that sell Korean products directly to overseas consumers online.  Minister Kim visited MUSINSA and OLIVE YOUNG stores, both of which are taking part in the cross-border e-commerce promotion. He personally purchased Korean consumer goods, helped promote product sales, and spoke with foreign shoppers. He listened to their views on Korean products and the difficulties they face, including concerns about counterfeits. He also explained how they could purchase Korean consumer goods more conveniently through the website for the cross-border e-commerce promotion. “Korean manufactured goods, including K-beauty and K-fashion products, are reaching overseas markets through retail platforms,” Minister Kim said. “The government will continue to increase support to help Korean consumer goods reach markets worldwide.” Meanwhile, a promotional event for K-Sale Festa took place at Hongdae Meeting Square the same day. Influencers from Korea’s five mega-regions and three special self-governing provinces gathered as festival supporters. At the event, business leaders from large retailers and small and medium-sized retail companies joined celebrity chefs and influencers in a talk show to introduce the wide range of discounts available during K-Sale Festa. The event highlighted major sales at hypermarkets, department stores, online shopping malls, and convenience stores that began on October 29, the opening day of K-Sale Festa. It also featured discount promotions by automakers and home appliance companies that began on November 1. Five automakers are offering discounts on popular models, including midsize sedans and SUVs. Discounts start at KRW 1.5 million, with the largest exceeding KRW 10 million. Used-car companies are also participating in this year’s Korea Grand Festival to help consumers buy used cars at affordable prices. Home appliance companies are offering products ranging from major appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines to smartphones, PCs, and mobile accessories at affordable prices. The Korea Grand Festival’s discounts will be publicized in Korea and abroad through YouTube and social media content from influencers and K-Sale Festa supporters. Details of each company’s discount plans are available on the K-Sale Festa website (k-salefesta.co.kr). Information on cross-border e-commerce is available on the promotion’s official website (shoppingweek.org). date2026-11-04

MOTIR Launches Emergency Management System for Czech Nuclear Power Project

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced that the ministry would activate an emergency management system, led by both the minister and vice minister, to prevent disruptions to the Czech nuclear power project. The move comes in response to the termination of negotiations on the construction contract on October 29, 2026. The ministry will promptly draw up an action plan to keep the Dukovany project on track and develop measures to prevent similar situations from recurring. These steps aim to preserve confidence in the Korean nuclear industry’s ability to deliver “On Time, On Budget,” a core competitive strength. The emergency management system will focus on ensuring that all members of Team Korea participating in the Czech nuclear power project share updates on progress and key issues, and that the government and participating companies work closely to formulate solutions. To this end, the ministry plans to hold the two meetings on alternating weeks—the “Team Korea Review Meeting on the Czech Nuclear Power Project,” chaired by the minister, and the “Review Meeting on the Implementation Plans of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP),” chaired by the vice minister—to promptly review and carry out necessary measures. Vice Minister Park Dong-il will chair the first meeting on November 2. The meeting will focus on reviewing KHNP’s follow-up measures after the termination of negotiations on the construction contract. Participants will discuss ways to carry out key tasks following the termination of the existing construction contract negotiations; the procedure and expected timeline for selecting a new construction contractor; plans to meet key milestones on time; and plans to implement follow-up measures related to the construction contract. MOTIR will also develop detailed plans and measures to ensure key project milestones are met on schedule, including applying for a construction permit in April 2027, starting site grading in January 2029, and beginning construction in November 2029. Minister Kim emphasized, “Korea’s nuclear industry draws its competitive strength from the ‘team spirit’ that unites the capabilities of individual companies. We must build a stronger Team Korea to prepare for the many nuclear export opportunities ahead.” He added, “To this end, the vice minister and I will directly oversee the emergency management system for the time being to review project issues weekly and take the necessary action.” date2026-11-03