Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and Australia Launch Joint Project to Strengthen Supply Chain Capabilities in Developing Countries

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it will jointly implement the IMPACT Project (Supply Chain Identification, Monitoring, Preparation and Action Capability Training Project) with the Australian government to enhance supply chain crisis response capabilities in developing countries across the Indo-Pacific region. As the chair of the Crisis Response Network (CRN) under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), Korea successfully hosted a supply chain crisis response simulation exercise in Seoul in October. Building on that achievement, MOTIR is expanding regional supply chain cooperation through the IMPACT Project, which has been co-developed with the Australian government since June last year. Recognizing the need to strengthen developing countries’ supply chain capabilities during IPEF negotiations, Korea and Australia secured the necessary funding through close consultations and developed a training program aimed at improving practical crisis response capacity across the region. The IMPACT Project consists of three stages: (1) preliminary assessment of national supply chain capabilities, (2) local training, and (3) evaluation and follow-up measures. The local training sessions will provide practical education tailored to each country’s priorities, based on training materials jointly developed by Korea and Australia. Topics include identifying key supply chains, data-driven management, governance establishment, and disruption response. Starting with Indonesia and Thailand, MOTIR plans to deliver customized local training programs to a total of seven IPEF member countries—including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and Fiji—by next year, helping to enhance their supply chain management and crisis response capabilities. Lee Jae-keun, Director General for New Trade Strategy and Policy at MOTIR, stated, “Following the recent crisis response simulation under the IPEF network, the IMPACT Project will serve as a practical follow-up initiative to strengthen developing countries’ operational capabilities and further stabilize supply chains across the region. As supply chain resilience in critical minerals and high-tech industries has become a global priority, this project will reinforce Korea’s role as a central partner in regional cooperation.”   date2025-11-10

K-Beauty Expands Global Reach with New Export Models

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) visited the headquarters of SILICON2, a cosmetics distribution company, on Thursday, November 6, to review Korea’s cosmetics export performance and hear firsthand from industry representatives about the challenges faced when entering global markets. Korea’s cosmetics exports reached a record USD 10.2 billion in 2024 and totaled USD 9.42 billion as of October 2025 (up 11.9 percent year-on-year). Export destinations are also diversifying beyond the U.S. and Japan to include Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. SILICON2, a cosmetics distribution specialist that operates StyleKorean.com—Korea’s largest e-commerce platform for direct-to-consumer (D2C) exports of beauty products—features over 500 Korean beauty brands in 150 countries. The company also runs MOIDA, a chain of overseas stores located in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Indonesia, further expanding its global presence. MOTIR plans to provide comprehensive support to help the rapidly growing K-beauty industry, driven by the global popularity of the Korean Wave, expand its presence in international markets. First, to promote D2C exports, the ministry will introduce new programs next year to support the development of global online malls and delivery and payment service solutions. Second, through its consumer goods trade centers, MOTIR will offer hands-on assistance to Korean cosmetics companies in addressing challenges such as logistics, certification, and legal compliance when entering overseas markets. Lastly, the ministry will actively support participation in major international beauty exhibitions and facilitate entry into local and global online and offline distribution channels. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo stated, “Korea’s cosmetics industry has strengthened its global presence with trendy products and innovative technologies, but growing protectionism and import regulations could pose challenges to future expansion. MOTIR will continue to identify and address these issues while fostering new export models, such as D2C exports, so that K-beauty can reach consumers around the world more directly.”   date2025-11-07

Korea to Invest KRW 940 Billion in Advanced Medical Device R&D Over Seven Years

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon), the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong), and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, Minister Oh Yu-kyoung) announced plans to launch the second phase of the Inter-Ministerial Advanced Medical Device R&D Program, investing a total of KRW 940.8 billion (KRW 838.3 billion in government funding and KRW 102.5 billion in private investment) over seven years from 2026 to 2032. The program aims to develop six game-changing medical devices that are world-first or world-leading and to localize 13 essential medical devices. This inter-ministerial initiative will support the entire R&D cycle—from basic and fundamental research to commercialization, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. In particular, it will focus on future growth areas such as AI- and robotics-based medical devices, strengthening global competitiveness and fostering the medical device industry as a national growth engine. Building on the success of the first-phase Inter-Ministerial Full-Cycle Medical Device R&D Program (2020–2024), the new initiative passed the preliminary feasibility study for national R&D programs in August 2025. During the first phase, a total of 467 projects were supported, resulting in 433 regulatory approvals (331 domestic and 102 overseas), 72 technology transfers, and 254 cases of commercialization over the past five years. Notable achievements include the localization of hemodialysis filters, previously fully imported, and the development of the world’s first AI-based stroke diagnostic-assistance software medical device. The government plans to continue full-cycle R&D support through this follow-up program to ensure these achievements are sustained. To that end, the four ministries held a joint briefing session on Wednesday, November 5, at the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to present details of the program’s second phase. The session aimed to improve understanding among researchers from industry, academia, research institutes, and medical institutions and to encourage active participation. It covered the program’s main features, participation guidelines for 2026 projects, and key schedules, followed by a Q&A session and on-site feedback. The government emphasized that this initiative is a cross-ministerial collaboration to support the development of advanced medical devices as a national growth driver and reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing communication with researchers to reflect their input and ensure the program’s successful implementation.   date2025-11-06

Korea Launches K-Quantum Industry Alliance to Accelerate Commercialization

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the launch event for the “K-Quantum Industry Alliance” on Wednesday, November 5, at Lotte Hotel Seoul. The event was attended by Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak, Rep. Lee Eon-ju, a Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and about 150 participants from quantum technology suppliers and user companies, universities, research institutes, financial institutions, and support organizations. This launch marks a turning point for Korea’s quantum technology ecosystem, shifting from research-institute-led R&D to industry-driven application and expansion. Participating companies, universities, financial institutions, and support organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate closely in promoting the industrialization of quantum technology. The MOU covers key areas such as developing industry-specific use cases, improving standards and regulations, and supporting global expansion. Overview of the K-Quantum Industry Alliance MOU Date & Venue: November 5, 2025 (Wed) / Garnet Suite, Lotte Hotel Seoul Participants (34 organizations in total): User Companies: Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Biologics, Hyosung Advanced Materials, LIG Nex1, EcoPro, JW Holdings Suppliers: Taihan Fiberoptics, Wooriro, Wooshin Technical Research, MICROINFINITY, Withwave, Korea Advanced Materials, SDT, PharmCADD, QuantumKelvin Universities: GIST, Pai Chai University, Yonsei University, Jeonbuk National University Financial Institutions: KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, POSCO Investment Support Organizations: KOTRA, KIAT, KEIT, KTL, Korea Industry Alliance Forum, Korea Quantum Association  Main Agenda: Joint efforts to identify new projects and policy proposals, develop industry use cases, foster talent, and support global expansion In addition, MOTIR announced the Quantum Technology Industrialization Project, which aims to localize key quantum components and materials, including superconducting quantum processing unit (QPU) packaging and cryocoolers. The ministry will also expand quantum software development and verification to solve industrial challenges and will establish a quantum-supercomputing integrated platform with hands-on training programs linking academia and industry, enabling companies to design and apply quantum models directly. Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak stated, “The government will spare no effort to help Korean quantum component and material companies seize this golden window of opportunity and join the global value chain. We will further strengthen the public-private cooperation model so that Korean companies can swiftly apply quantum technologies in industrial settings to solve challenges and maximize efficiency.”   date2025-11-06

Korea Hosts “Global Certification Trend 2025” to Support Consumer Goods Exporters

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) hosted the “Global Certification Trend 2025” event on Wednesday, November 5, at the SETEC Convention Center. The event was co-hosted with the Overseas Certification Support Network and major global certification bodies. In recent developments, the European Union has established the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to promote global environmental protection, which includes the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for textile products. The EU has also enacted the Cyber Resilience Act to strengthen the security of digital products and require related certifications. Both measures are set to take effect in 2027. Meanwhile, Indonesia plans to make halal certification mandatory for food and cosmetics beginning in October 2026, and India is set to introduce BIS certification for machinery and electrical equipment in September 2026 to enhance industrial safety—reflecting a broader trend of tightening certification systems across emerging markets. The event aimed to help Korean companies prepare in advance for these evolving global technical regulations and certification systems by providing updates on the latest certification trends in the United States, the EU, and emerging markets, focusing on consumer goods such as cosmetics, food, and textiles. It also introduced comprehensive export-support programs offered by organizations including KOTRA and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) to assist companies in developing export strategies for the coming year. In his keynote address, Professor Sung Yun-mo of Chung-Ang University presented on “Response Strategies for Korean Exporters Amid Global Trade Environment Changes,” outlining strategies for maintaining export competitiveness amid tightening trade regulations in major economies such as the U.S. and the EU. President Kim Dae-ja stated, “Countries around the world are continuously strengthening their technical regulations and certification systems to protect their environment, safety, and industries. We will further enhance our overseas certification support services to help Korean exporters navigate complex certification procedures more efficiently and achieve greater export success.”   date2025-11-05

MOTIR and The Korea Society Explore Ways to Strengthen Korea–U.S. Cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Thomas Byrne, President of The Korea Society, in Seoul on Tuesday, November 4, to exchange views on ways to enhance Korea–U.S. economic cooperation. Established in 1957, The Korea Society is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between Korea and the United States through a wide range of policy forums, seminars, and educational programs across politics, economics, culture, and education. Minister Yeo highlighted that Korea has been actively contributing to the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing and job creation through large-scale greenfield investments, while also becoming one of the key importers of U.S. energy and agricultural products such as LNG and crude oil. He underscored the close trade and investment ties between the two countries and noted that if the USD 150 billion in direct investment plans announced by Korean companies in August and the USD 350 billion strategic investment MoU agreed through the Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations on October 29 are implemented as planned, bilateral industrial supply chains will be further strengthened. Minister Yeo also conveyed Korean companies’ concerns regarding the recent detention of Korean workers at a plant in Georgia, urging President Byrne to help ensure that such incidents do not recur. He requested The Korea Society’s attention and support for fundamental solutions, emphasizing the need to improve visa systems—by ensuring smooth entry and stable investment conditions for Korean business personnel in the short term, and by considering the establishment of a new visa category for Korean professionals over the longer term.   date2025-11-04

Governments and Industry Leaders from Six Major Semiconductor-Producing Countries Gather in Busan

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that the 26th Government/Authorities Meeting on Semiconductors (GAMS) will be held in Busan from Tuesday, November 4 to Thursday, November 6, 2025. As this year’s chair country, Korea will preside over the meeting, with Choi Woo-hyuk, Director General for Advanced Industry Policy at MOTIR, serving as chair. The meeting will bring together around 100 participants, including director-general–level officials and industry leaders from member economies. Overview of GAMS Established in 1999 based on a joint statement by the four founding members—Korea, the United States, Japan, and the European Union—GAMS later added Taiwan (2000) and China (2006) as associate members. The annual meeting rotates among member economies and reviews the outcomes and policy recommendations of the World Semiconductor Council (WSC), which represents the global semiconductor industry, while discussing relevant government policy responses. GAMS sessions begin with reports from the WSC on its activities and policy proposals, followed by intergovernmental consultations that lead to the adoption of a Chair’s Statement. This year, the WSC has proposed major agenda items including semiconductor policy trends, environmental protection (PFAS regulations and greenhouse gas reduction efforts), HS code revisions for semiconductor products, and intellectual property protection. During the three-day event, the six participating economies will also hold a series of bilateral meetings to exchange views on key semiconductor issues and conduct in-depth discussions on other bilateral matters. In his keynote remarks, Director General Choi stated, “With the rapid development of artificial intelligence driving a sharp increase in global semiconductor demand, ensuring a stable semiconductor supply chain has become more critical than ever.” He added, “As a leading semiconductor-producing country, Korea will demonstrate strong leadership as this year’s GAMS chair to promote close cooperation among major economies.”   date2025-11-04

Korea to Lead Development of International Standards for Core Equipment of Eco-Friendly Fuel Ships

Korea will take the lead in developing international standards to ensure the safety and efficiency of equipment used in eco-friendly fuel ships powered by ammonia and hydrogen. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it will propose two new international standards at the ISO/TC 8/SC 3 Piping and Machinery Subcommittee Meeting being held in Busan from November 3 to 6. Global shipbuilders are developing vessels powered by eco-friendly fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen in response to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Building on Korea’s strengths in the shipbuilding sector, the country is leading efforts to standardize core equipment for eco-friendly fuel ships. At this meeting, KATS plans to propose international standards for “Test Procedures for Valves and Heat Exchangers for Ammonia-Fueled Ships.” Once adopted, the proposed international standards for core equipment are expected to significantly strengthen Korea’s global competitiveness in the ammonia-fueled ship sector, which remains in the early stage of commercialization. Korean marine equipment manufacturers will continue to focus on developing international standards for key components of eco-friendly fuel ships, including piping systems and storage tanks. KATS President Kim Dae-ja stated, “It is highly meaningful for Korea to lead the development of core technology standards for future vessels in line with the global push for carbon neutrality. We will continue to enhance Korea’s standardization capabilities for eco-friendly alternative fuel ship technology to help the nation’s shipbuilding and marine equipment industries strengthen their competitiveness in the global market.”   date2025-11-04