Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and Indonesia Hold Second CEPA Joint Committee Meeting

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the second meeting of the Joint Committee under the Korea–Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Seoul on October 28, 2026. The Korean delegation was led by Park Keun-oh, Director General for Trade Agreement Policy at MOTIR, and the Indonesian delegation by Johni Martha, Director General of International Trade Negotiations at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade. The Korea–Indonesia CEPA entered into force in 2023 and is now in its fourth year of implementation. The Joint Committee first met in December 2023. This meeting, the first in three years, followed up on an agreement reached in the joint statement issued at the bilateral summit in April 2026. In the statement, the two countries agreed to hold regular Joint Committee meetings to ensure effective implementation of the CEPA and encourage businesses to make greater use of it. The two sides discussed key issues in implementing the CEPA, including progress in reviewing import approvals for Indonesian poultry meat products and Korean dairy products. They also reviewed progress in implementing the electronic system for exchanging certificates of origin and explored ways to cooperate to encourage businesses to make greater use of the agreement. Both sides agreed to maintain communication and cooperation on implementation and promote greater use of the CEPA to further develop bilateral trade and economic ties. date2026-10-28

Korea and Japan to Expand Cooperation in Future Industries, Including AI and Robotics

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 22nd Korea–Hokuriku (Japan) Economic Exchange Conference in Daegu on October 23, 2026, jointly with the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in future industries, including advanced materials, AI, and robotics, by drawing on the manufacturing capabilities that regional industries in both countries have built over the years. The conference brought together approximately 150 participants, including representatives from the national and local governments, economic organizations, companies, and research institutions of both countries. It was jointly organized by the Korea-Japan Economic Association, the Hokuriku Economic Federation, and the Around Japan Sea Economic Exchange Conference in Hokuriku (Hokuriku AJEC). The Korea–Hokuriku (Japan) Economic Exchange Conference is a longstanding channel for economic cooperation between local governments and businesses in the two countries. Over the 26 years since 2000, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period, the conference has facilitated cooperation in trade, investment, and industrial technology between four Korean regions—Daegu, Ulsan, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk—and the three Hokuriku prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui in Japan. Under the theme “Beyond Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: Taking Action,” this year’s conference focused on exploring concrete forms of cooperation in future industries, building on the trust and exchanges established over the years. In advanced materials, participants discussed technological cooperation that brings together manufacturing and research capabilities in both countries. Gyeongbuk TechnoPark, Japan’s TSUDAKOMA Corp., and the Innovative Composite Materials Research & Development Center at Kanazawa Institute of Technology shared information on carbon fiber composite technologies and related research findings. They also explored ways to pursue joint research and technical exchanges. On AI and robotics, discussions focused on applying these technologies in industrial settings and expanding their use. Tilon, a cloud software company, and iM Robotics Corp., a robotics automation solutions provider, presented examples of AI-based workplace innovation and smart factories using autonomous mobile robots, respectively. The companies discussed how AI and robotics can improve productivity on factory floors and explored new opportunities for cooperation with the Hokuriku region. Participants also discussed ways to foster industries and support businesses for the sustained growth and economic revitalization of regions in both countries. Korea presented policies to develop the AI and robotics industries, help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enter overseas markets, and address regional depopulation. Japan shared policies on industrial cluster development and well-being. The two sides explored approaches to growth that reflect each region’s industrial characteristics and strengths. “Cooperation between Korean and Japanese local governments and regional businesses is important for bilateral economic ties to broaden and develop over the long term,” said Bae Jun-hyoung, Director General for International Trade Relations at MOTIR. “We will provide active support to help this conference bring together the strengths of regional industries in both countries and create new growth opportunities in future industries.” date2026-10-23

Korea and EU Discuss Key Trade Issues, Including Export Challenges and Regulatory Cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 14th meeting of the Korea–EU Committee on Trade in Goods with the European Union (EU) via videoconference on October 21, 2026. Established under the Korea–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the committee serves as a channel for consultations on tariff and non-tariff issues concerning trade in goods. The two sides reviewed the implementation of the FTA and discussed major trade issues and ways to address market-access challenges for companies on both sides. Since entering into force in 2011, the Korea–EU FTA has served as a key foundation for expanding bilateral economic cooperation. The two sides have maintained solid economic ties despite growing uncertainty in the international trading environment, such as the spread of protectionism and the restructuring of global supply chains. In particular, bilateral trade increased by approximately 64 percent, from USD 83.3 billion before the FTA entered into force to USD 136.8 billion in 2025. At the meeting, Korea requested the EU’s attention and cooperation to ensure that new EU regulations do not place excessive burdens on Korean companies or act as unreasonable trade barriers. These include the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and requirements for cosmetics safety assessments. In particular, on the IAA, Korea emphasized its role as a trusted partner that has contributed to strengthening EU industrial competitiveness through investment and job creation in key industries, including automobiles and batteries. Korea asked the EU to ensure that excessive local-content requirements do not undermine the competitiveness of companies on both sides or supply chain stability. In addition, given the mutually beneficial trade relationship under the Korea–EU FTA, Korea requested that Korean components and final assembly in Korea receive the same treatment as their respective EU counterparts in public procurement, public support, and other areas. It also requested sufficient transition periods and reasonable exemptions that reflect supply chain conditions in strategic industries, including automobiles, low-carbon steel, and nuclear power. On CBAM, Korea requested that Korean verification bodies receive prompt accreditation on the same terms as EU-based bodies. It also emphasized that the extension of CBAM to downstream steel and aluminum products, scheduled for 2028, should cover as few products as possible and allow sufficient transition periods for companies to adapt to the regulation. On the PPWR, Korea explained that semiconductor packaging requires special materials to prevent electrostatic discharge and protect products. To ensure a stable supply of semiconductors, Korea requested exemptions for semiconductor packaging from requirements on design for recycling, recycled content, and reuse. On cosmetics, Korea requested clearer qualification criteria so that professionals who have earned relevant degrees in Korea can also be recognized as cosmetics safety assessors in the EU. It also requested improvements to the system to ensure that cosmetics safety reports prepared by specialized institutions in Korea are consistently accepted across EU member states. The two sides also discussed expanding the recognition of equivalence between their automotive technical regulations and how to pursue a mutual recognition agreement (MRA). Korea expressed hope that additional technical consultations on amending the automotive annex would proceed smoothly. On the MRA, Korea agreed to continue discussions with the EU while taking account of regulatory conditions in each sector, with the aim of expanding opportunities for companies on both sides to enter each other’s markets by reducing certification costs and time. On issues of interest to the EU, including offshore wi date2026-10-22

MOTIR Showcases the Investment Appeal of Companies Undergoing Business Restructuring

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Korea Productivity Center (KPC) jointly held an investment briefing for companies with approved business restructuring plans in Seoul on October 21, 2026. The event was the first of two sessions of the 2026 investment briefing for these companies, with the second scheduled for October 28, 2026. Since last year, MOTIR has offered consulting services on attracting investment and held investment briefings for companies with approved business restructuring plans. The programs help companies attract investment by presenting their competitive strengths and growth strategies to investors based on the projects they pursue after their restructuring plans are approved. This year’s briefings feature 15 companies that received consulting services on attracting investment. Seven will present to investment firms at the October 21 session and eight at the October 28 session. A preliminary survey found that substantially more investment firms expressed interest in participating than last year, further improving the approved companies’ prospects of attracting investment.  The participating companies’ main projects are outlined below. Daewon F&C has developed equipment that uses ceramic materials to transfer semiconductor wafers. The equipment removes static electricity during semiconductor production to improve yields. Nine Labs offers liquid cooling solutions that substantially reduce electricity consumption at AI data centers, promoting advances in AI. RoboLife has developed a lightweight mobility assistance robot that can be attached to and detached from a manual wheelchair. By simplifying its components, the company has lowered the price to encourage wider adoption. Arion has developed and completed demonstration testing of a drone platform that enables autonomous operation and integrated control of unmanned vehicles (drones).   Sebo Technology has domestically developed rotor sails—wind propulsion systems for eco-friendly ships—and aims to lead the market with prices below those of Japanese and European products. MK Steel has developed AI-based inspection equipment for detecting foreign matter on steel surfaces, an essential step in steel processing. The company plans to supply the equipment to small and medium-sized steel companies to improve productivity and ensure workplace safety. Hyojin E&HY has developed equipment that converts greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, into clean fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. The equipment is expected to lower the cost of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, easing the burden on companies. Participating investment firms expressed high expectations for the commercial viability and growth potential of the companies with approved restructuring plans. They also hoped for more opportunities to meet the companies. The firms further expressed their intention to contribute to business growth and industrial transformation by continuing to identify companies undergoing business restructuring that have strong prospects for success. “This event introduced investors to the achievements of companies pursuing renewed growth through business restructuring, providing a valuable opportunity for the companies to rekindle growth,” said Nam Myung-woo, Director General for Industrial Policy at MOTIR. “Successful business restructuring is essential to improving companies’ business fundamentals and strengthening their competitiveness. We will expand consulting and support for business restructuring and create more opportunities for companies and investors to connect.” date2026-10-21

Boom-Up Korea Biz Week 2026 Opens, Bringing Together 530 Global Buyers Including Lonza and JD.com

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will hold the opening ceremony for Boom-Up Korea Biz Week 2026 on October 21, 2026, at KINTEX in Ilsan. The largest multisector export business-matching event in Korea will run for two days, from October 21 to 22. The event will bring together 530 global companies, including major names such as Lonza, JD.com, and Mitsubishi Electric, and 1,400 promising Korean companies. It aims to facilitate approximately 4,500 export consultations and the signing of 100 memorandums of understanding (MOUs), with a target of approximately USD 200 million in export contracts. Launched in 2015, Boom-Up Korea is Korea’s largest multisector export business-matching event, inviting major overseas buyers to Korea for one-on-one meetings with Korean companies. Now established as one of the country’s flagship export support events, this year’s program will focus on expanding participation by regional companies in line with growth engines under the Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces (5+3) framework; providing targeted support for emerging industries such as biotechnology and consumer goods; and broadening Korea’s export base by linking exhibitions nationwide with online and regional export consultations. First, the event will substantially expand participation by companies outside the Seoul Capital Area to promote “Exports for All,” in line with regional growth engines under the 5+3 framework. At least 50 percent of the Korean companies participating in Boom-Up Korea will be selected from outside the Seoul Capital Area. The program will provide full support to help competitive, promising regional companies create business opportunities, including through direct engagement with global buyers. The event will also focus on fostering emerging industries, including Korean biotechnology and consumer goods, as the next drivers of export growth. Approximately 360 global buyers in promising export sectors such as biotechnology, cosmetics, and food will participate, along with key companies such as Lonza and JD.com, to expand their engagement with Korean businesses. Moreover, the event will reach well beyond the physical confines of KINTEX and the constraints of its two-day schedule. By linking with 11 major industry exhibitions nationwide, holding online export consultations, and hosting export consultation roadshows in Daegu and Chungbuk, the program will bring export support to companies across the country. It aims to create the best possible conditions for promising companies nationwide to meet overseas buyers, regardless of location, and translate those meetings into tangible export results. In particular, Boom-Up Korea Biz Week 2026 will run alongside M.AX CON, a forum for business and technology exchanges on AI in manufacturing, to generate greater synergies. M.AX CON, which will take place on October 21, will bring together key figures in the global manufacturing AI ecosystem, including Professor Raffaello D’Andrea of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and President Park Min-woo of Hyundai Motor Group, as well as experts from Korean and international companies such as IBM, Qualcomm, and POSCO. They will discuss AI adoption at manufacturing sites and effective approaches to cooperation, focusing on AI factories, industrial robots and physical AI, and autonomous manufacturing.   Kang Gam-chan, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment at MOTIR, emphasized that with the historic milestone of USD 1 trillion in exports coming within reach, Korea will continue to broaden its export base so that more companies across industries and regions can enter global markets, making “Exports for All” a reality. “We hope this year’s Boom-Up Korea will give Korean companies an opportunity to identify new markets and business partners, date2026-10-21

Korea and the Czech Republic Discuss Ways to Further Develop Nuclear Power Cooperation

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the third meeting of the Dukovany Steering Committee with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček via videoconference on October 20, 2026. The ministers reviewed progress on the Dukovany new nuclear power plant project. They also discussed strengthening nuclear power cooperation and how to respond to the EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act in relation to nuclear power. The two sides confirmed that the project has progressed on schedule to date. They reviewed the timeline and plans for meeting key milestones on time, including submitting applications for permits and licenses in the Czech Republic. They also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Korean and Czech nuclear industries, both on the Dukovany project and in the global nuclear power market. Minister Kim expressed concern to the Czech side that discussions on the EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, announced in March 2026, were moving toward excessive restrictions on non-EU countries’ participation in the EU nuclear power market. He emphasized that, with the EU’s nuclear supply chain weakened, cooperation with countries that have strong supply chains, such as Korea, is essential for nuclear power plant construction plans in the Czech Republic and other EU countries to proceed without disruption. As Korea–Czech nuclear power cooperation develops into a broader partnership encompassing advanced industries and other sectors, he asked the Czech Republic to continue its diplomatic efforts within the EU to ensure that the proposed Act does not hinder bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to hold the fourth meeting of the Dukovany Steering Committee in Korea before the end of 2026. They also plan to organize business-to-business events alongside the meeting to strengthen cooperation between the Korean and Czech nuclear industries and generate a range of meaningful outcomes. At the third meeting of the Committee, Minister Kim also commented on Temelín Units 3 and 4, whose development is currently under consideration by the Czech government. “Large-scale nuclear power plants will be needed to support the development of the Czech Republic’s advanced industries,” Minister Kim said. He expressed hope that the Korea–Czech nuclear power partnership would continue at Temelín Units 3 and 4, following Dukovany. He added, “Continued meetings of the Dukovany Steering Committee are particularly meaningful because they allow both countries to share information transparently and jointly explore ways to ensure the smooth implementation and further development of bilateral nuclear power cooperation.” date2026-10-21

M.AX Certification Now Recognized Overseas

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the fourth Industrial AI International Certification Forum at COEX in Seoul on October 20, 2026, together with the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), and other relevant organizations. Testing and certification are becoming increasingly important as Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) expands across manufacturing sites and international demand grows for evidence of AI safety and reliability. In particular, differing certification requirements across countries and duplicate testing place a burden on Korean companies entering overseas markets. This has increased the need for cooperation on certification that allows testing and evaluation results to be used abroad. Industrial AI International Certification, also known as M.AX certification, assesses and certifies the performance and reliability of products and services used for AI transformation in manufacturing, such as automated defect inspection and equipment failure prediction, based on international standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The certification system has been developed primarily by Korean testing and certification bodies, helping companies objectively demonstrate the reliability of their AI products and services. Since November 2025, however, mutual recognition with CertX, a Swiss certification body, has enabled companies to use testing and evaluation results from Korea to apply for and obtain overseas certification as needed. At the forum, two Korean companies, Hyundai AutoEver and Wizcore, were presented with joint certificates from KTL and CertX under the two bodies’ mutual recognition arrangement. The arrangement allows the companies to obtain overseas certification without repeating tests for items covered by mutual recognition. They can therefore reduce the cost and time required for certification and use the certificates to demonstrate the performance and reliability of their products and services to overseas customers. Since its launch in 2023, the forum has gradually strengthened the certification framework by establishing a certification system, issuing Korea’s first industrial AI certificates, and increasing the number of testing and evaluation bodies. The issuance of overseas certificates at this year’s forum marks a concrete result of the domestic certification infrastructure developed to date. This cooperation on certification is expected to be of great help to Korean companies that are preparing to address overseas AI regulations, including the EU AI Act, in demonstrating the reliability of their products and services and entering overseas markets. At the conference, Lauro Locks, Counsellor at the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Korea University Professor Lee Sang-keun gave presentations on the changing international trade environment in the AI era and the importance of ensuring reliability. Korean companies, including Lotte Corporation, Hyundai AutoEver, and Wizcore, also shared their experience in using industrial AI certification and their strategies for entering overseas markets. “The overseas certificates issued at the forum mark a meaningful achievement that demonstrates the potential for Korea’s testing and certification system to be used internationally,” said Kim Kyu-sung, President of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS). “We will expand mutual recognition with overseas certification bodies to reduce the burden of duplicate testing on companies and actively support Korean companies pursuing M.AX in entering global markets.” date2026-10-20

Global Semiconductor Equipment Maker Axcelis Expands Asia-Pacific Manufacturing Base in Korea

Axcelis Technologies, a U.S. semiconductor equipment manufacturer, held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 20, 2026, to expand its Axcelis Asia Operations Center (AAOC) at the Oseong Industrial Complex in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. AAOC is the company’s only manufacturing facility outside the United States. The investment will substantially increase AAOC’s annual production capacity for ion implantation equipment and is expected to help strengthen Korea’s semiconductor supply chain. Axcelis Technologies is a globally competitive company in ion implantation, a key process in semiconductor manufacturing. Since its establishment in 2021, AAOC has supplied ion implantation equipment to Korean customers, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, and exported it directly to other Asia-Pacific countries, including China, Japan and Singapore. With this expansion, Axcelis is following through on the investment plan it announced in September 2026 at an investment declaration ceremony chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) in the United States on the occasion of the G20 Innovation Ministers’ Meeting. Axcelis plans to develop AAOC from a site focused primarily on manufacturing into a comprehensive center encompassing research and development (R&D), prototype production and technical training, making it a key hub for the Asia-Pacific region. With these expanded capabilities, AAOC is expected to meet equipment demand from Korean and overseas companies more promptly and reliably, while actively contributing to greater cooperation with Korean materials, parts and equipment (MPE) companies and the development of skilled professionals through technical training. The ceremony was attended by around 60 participants, including Axcelis Technologies President and CEO Russell Low and Axcelis Korea Country Manager James Park; government officials including Kang Gam-chan, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment at MOTIR, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae and Pyeongtaek Mayor Choi Won-yong; and representatives from Korean customers and partner companies. “Axcelis’ investment is significant in that it demonstrates the company’s confidence in Korea’s semiconductor industry,” Deputy Minister Kang said in his congratulatory remarks. He expressed hope that the AAOC expansion would further strengthen Korea’s semiconductor supply chain and help Axcelis take its business to the next level. “The Korean government will also work closely with Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek to address challenges on the ground and help the investment proceed smoothly,” he added. date2026-10-20