Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea and Chile Hold 11th Free Trade Commission Meeting

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 11th Korea–Chile Free Trade Commission meeting in Seoul on October 19, 2026. The Korean and Chilean delegations were led by Park Keun-oh, Director General for Trade Agreement Policy at MOTIR, and Felipe Lopeandía Wielandt, Director General for Bilateral Economic Affairs at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively. The Korea–Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in 2004 as Korea’s first FTA. The agreement is seen as having helped Korean companies enter Latin American markets, with bilateral trade rising from USD 1.57 billion in 2003, before the FTA took effect, to USD 6.4 billion in 2025. The commission met for the first time in ten years, as a follow-up to an agreement reached at the bilateral summit in July 2026 to review FTA implementation and discuss trade and investment cooperation, including upgrading the agreement. The two sides reviewed FTA implementation, including progress on updating the product-specific rules of origin (PSRs) from Harmonized System (HS) 2012 to HS 2022 and the exchange of FTA utilization statistics. They also discussed a broad range of mutually beneficial cooperation measures to strengthen bilateral trade relations, including ways to advance negotiations on upgrading the Korea–Chile FTA in areas such as minerals cooperation. date2026-10-19

Samsung Electronics to Share 126 Technologies with 99 Companies Free of Charge

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 2026 MOTIR–Samsung Electronics Technology Sharing Event on October 19, 2026, in Seoul. Attendees included Yoon Seong-hwan, Vice President and Head of the Patent Application Team at Samsung Electronics’ IP Center, and representatives of approximately 80 companies receiving technologies through the program. Samsung Electronics has participated in the technology-sharing program every year from 2015 through 2026, offering a total of 7,210 technologies. Of these, 1,461 have been transferred free of charge to 871 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies. This year, Samsung Electronics offered 202 advanced technologies in mobile devices, displays and home appliances, of which 126 were transferred to 99 companies. Technologies in the mobile sector, where Samsung Electronics is a leader, were transferred to the largest number of companies this year. The technology that drew the most interest was the “Method and Apparatus for Controlling Multiple IoT Devices” in the mobile and home appliance categories. It enables users to control IoT devices at a specific location through a mobile device. Other Technologies Offered - Mobile robot system, mobile robot and control method: Stores navigation data generated by a mobile robot on a server and shares it with other robots. - Voice data processing method and electronic device supporting the method: Compares text on a device’s screen with voice input to execute a specific function. - Shared task processing method and apparatus: Distributes tasks to the relevant personnel based on the shared task entered into the system and prompts them to enter the results. - Keyword search method and apparatus: Opens a social networking service (SNS) associated with a specific location when text mentioning that location appears in a messaging app. MOTIR said it would continue to support technology sharing to provide SMEs and mid-sized companies with the advanced technologies they need to innovate and grow, thereby helping build an innovation ecosystem based on mutually beneficial cooperation. date2026-10-19

Automobile Exports Fall 5.5%, Production Rises 3.7% in September 2026

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Korea’s automobile export value fell 5.5 percent year-on-year to USD 6.05 billion in September 2026, while export volume rose 4.1 percent to 237,000 units. Domestic sales fell 14.3 percent to 135,000 units, while production rose 3.7 percent to 347,000 units. By region, exports rose in key markets: North America, up 9.2 percent to USD 3.07 billion, and the European Union, up 15.3 percent to USD 1.11 billion. However, exports declined in markets including Asia, down 60.0 percent to USD 330 million, and the Middle East, down 7.1 percent to USD 350 million, bringing total exports down 5.5 percent year-on-year to USD 6.05 billion. The decline was attributed to factors including lower used car exports amid the war in the Middle East and tighter regulations in major countries, despite a 4.1 percent year-on-year increase in new vehicle export volume. Meanwhile, eco-friendly vehicle export value rose 5.9 percent year-on-year to USD 2.89 billion, supported by increased exports of electric and hybrid vehicles. Domestic sales fell 14.3 percent year-on-year to 135,000 units in September. The decline appears to reflect an average of three fewer business days due to the shift of the Chuseok holiday from October in 2025 to September in 2026, deferred purchases in anticipation of new models, and slower electric vehicle sales as subsidy funds were depleted. Eco-friendly vehicle sales reached 80,000 units, accounting for approximately 59 percent of total domestic sales and maintaining a high share of the market. Automobile production rose 3.7 percent year-on-year to 347,000 units. The increase was supported by major automakers making up production shortfalls after concluding wage negotiations, as well as a base effect from strikes at some automakers a year earlier. With global competition recently intensifying as Chinese automakers expand into overseas markets, MOTIR plans to maintain close communication with the automobile industry and actively support its continued growth. date2026-10-19

Korea and China Hold 17th Round of FTA Follow-up Negotiations on Services and Investment

Korea and China are holding the 17th round of follow-up negotiations on services and investment under their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Seoul from October 12 to 16, 2026. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that around 30 delegates from both countries are participating in the talks. The Korean delegation is led by Kwon Hye-jin, Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations at MOTIR, and the Chinese delegation by Chen Chao, Director General of the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs at China’s Ministry of Commerce. When concluding the FTA, which entered into force in 2015, Korea and China agreed to pursue greater liberalization through follow-up negotiations on services and investment. They launched the talks in March 2018 and have since held 16 formal rounds. The follow-up negotiations on services and investment under the Korea–China FTA are significant because they lay the groundwork for expanding bilateral trade beyond goods into high-value-added services. Bilateral trade in goods totals approximately USD 270 billion, compared with about USD 38.8 billion in services.1  The two sides are discussing ways to expand services trade in line with their close trading relationship in goods. “We will work to improve conditions for Korean companies entering overseas markets, including by securing substantive results in sectors such as audiovisual and financial services on the basis of reciprocal market opening,” Deputy Minister Kwon said. “We will continue in-depth discussions on areas of mutual interest to make progress in the negotiations that aligns with Korea’s national interests, and do our utmost to build on that progress to further strengthen the foundation for bilateral economic cooperation.”     1Korea’s services trade is equivalent to 14.2 percent of its goods trade with China, compared with 23.8 percent for its trade with the world. date2026-10-15

K-Standards to Turn Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) into Reality

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a ceremony marking World Standards Day 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on October 14, 2026. The ministry presented 50 awards to individuals and organizations that contributed to Korea’s industrial development and strengthened national competitiveness through domestic and international standardization, as well as efforts to address and improve technical regulations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established World Standards Day in 1970 to raise awareness of the importance of standards and promote international standardization. Korea has held an annual ceremony since 2000 to identify and honor those who have contributed to standardization. Lee Sang-yong, Head of the VS R&D Lab at LG Electronics, received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for strengthening global competitiveness through standardization. His achievements included expanding the global ecosystem through strategic standardization of automotive software and electronic systems and helping LG achieve the world’s largest market share in telematics. Kwon Dae-hyun, Manager at LS ELECTRIC, received the Industrial Service Medal. As a member of the IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB), he contributed to establishing new international standardization committees in areas including quantum technologies and smart manufacturing. He also led the international standardization and localization of industrial communication technologies in Korea. Now in its 27th year, the ceremony commemorating World Standards Day was held under the theme “K-Standards Turn Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) into Reality.” The event highlighted the role and importance of standards in supporting M.AX and reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to taking K-Standards to the next level. Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) President Kim Kyu-sung emphasized that standards are essential to M.AX because they ensure the interoperability and reliability of AI data and systems. He said, “We will actively pursue standardization to support AI integration across industries so that M.AX can expand into diverse sectors, including autonomous manufacturing, robotics, and future vehicles.”  date2026-10-14

September ICT Exports Top $70 Billion and Trade Surplus Exceeds $50 Billion, Setting New Records

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon) announced on October 14, 2026, that Korea’s ICT exports reached USD 75.15 billion in September 2026, up 195.8 percent year-on-year from $25.40 billion. Imports rose 55.3 percent from $13.80 billion to $21.43 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $53.71 billion. Supported by expanding AI investment worldwide, September ICT exports jumped from the previous record of $59.98 billion straight past the $60 billion range to top $70 billion for the first time. The ICT trade surplus also continued to grow, reaching the $50 billion range for the first time. ICT exports accounted for 62.1 percent of Korea’s total exports of $120.94 billion, maintaining a share of above 60 percent for a second consecutive month and continuing to play a key role in Korea’s export growth. By product, exports of semiconductors (up 262.8 percent), mobile phones (up 28.2 percent), and computers and peripherals (up 393.0 percent) increased, while exports of displays (down 11.5 percent) and telecommunications equipment (down 2.3 percent) declined. Semiconductor exports set a new monthly record for a second consecutive month as expanding demand for AI infrastructure increased sales of high-value products and contract prices for conventional memory continued to rise. Mobile phone exports increased due to higher exports of components and increased sales volumes of premium handsets. Exports of computers and peripherals also increased, led by SSDs and mid- to large-sized computers, as investment in AI data centers continued to expand. Display exports declined as adjustments to some smartphone launch schedules reduced demand for OLED panels. Telecommunications equipment exports declined slightly as exports of navigation equipment to Poland and Türkiye and wireless communications equipment to Japan decreased. By destination, exports increased to all major markets: the U.S. (up 420.1 percent), China, including Hong Kong (up 228.9 percent), India (up 104.3 percent), Vietnam (up 66.8 percent), Japan (up 119.6 percent), Taiwan (up 110.9 percent), and the EU (up 128.5 percent). ICT imports totaled $21.43 billion in September 2026, up 55.3 percent from $13.80 billion a year earlier, as imports increased in several major categories, including semiconductors (up 94.5 percent), mobile phones (up 40.9 percent), and computers and peripherals (up 48.4 percent). date2026-10-14

MOTIR Launches K Connect AI

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) is launching K Connect AI, which brings together five major exhibitions in Korea around a common theme of artificial intelligence (AI): the Korea Electronics Show (KES), the Semiconductor Exhibition (SEDEX), Industrial AI EXPO, Asia Machinery & Manufacturing Expo Korea (AMXPO), and ROBOWORLD. The government plans to develop flagship global exhibitions representing Korea in AI-based advanced industries and in consumer goods such as food and cosmetics, both areas of Korean strength. Making its debut this year, K Connect AI is a new project to develop a flagship Korean exhibition for advanced industries. Its programs will run for about a month, with an opening ceremony, an international conference, special pavilions, and business matching meetings with overseas buyers, all centered on industrial AI. The opening ceremony on October 13, 2026, was held jointly with the opening of KES 2026 and the Electronics and IT Day ceremony. Attendees included Kang Gam-chan, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment at MOTIR; Kang Kyung-sung, President of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA); Yong Seok-woo, Chairman of the Korea Electronics Association (KEA); and Kinsey Fabrizio, President and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organizes CES in the United States. The ceremony unveiled the vision for K Connect AI and brought together the heads of the five exhibitions’ organizing institutions for a ceremony celebrating their cooperation. Together, these activities marked the launch of a business platform for AI-based advanced industries. During KES, CTA will also host CES Asia Unveiled Seoul to introduce CES 2027 and key technology trends that will drive future innovation. On October 21, an international conference at the KINTEX Grand Ballroom will bring together leading scholars from Korea and abroad and executives from global companies to discuss global trends in manufacturing AI and strategies for responding to them. In the morning keynote session, Professor Raffaello D’Andrea of ETH Zurich and Park Min-woo, President at Hyundai Motor Group, will deliver keynote addresses and take part in a dialogue on expanding the ecosystem for manufacturing AI and developing response strategies. In the afternoon industry session, executives from IBM, Qualcomm, POSCO, and other global companies will discuss real-world applications, including AI factories, industrial robots and physical AI, autonomous manufacturing, and the use of AI by global manufacturers. Drawing on these examples, they will present practical strategies and opportunities for cooperation that companies can consider when adopting AI. Throughout K Connect AI, a dedicated pavilion will explain the need for AI transformation in manufacturing (M.AX) and give visitors hands-on experience with how Korean companies apply AI. Exhibits and demonstrations will feature applications tested in real-world settings, including AI factories, AI systems for distribution and logistics, and humanoid robots. Around 130 overseas buyer companies with demand for industrial AI will also be invited to business matching meetings linked to the five exhibitions. To improve export outcomes from these meetings, buyers will receive lists of recommended company matches in advance, prepared using AI solutions. At the 21st Electronics and IT Day ceremony, held alongside the opening ceremony, 41 individuals received government awards for enhancing the standing of the electronics and IT industry. Recipients included Kim Young-jae, Chairman of Daeduck Electronics, who received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, and Cho Ji-tae, Senior Vice President of LG Innotek, who received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. “Exhibitions are evolving beyond venues for displaying and trading products into business platforms that bring technologi date2026-10-14

Cabinet Approves Amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Trade Act

The Cabinet of Korea approved amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Trade Act on October 13, 2026. The amendments set out details on matters delegated by the Foreign Trade Act, which was amended on April 21, 2026. They specify the scope and procedures of investigations for imposing export and import restrictions; the scope of statistical data that may be requested from the Korea Customs Service (KCS) to support the use of trade agreements; and requirements for designating institutions that support businesses in using trade agreements and for revoking their designation.  The key changes to the Act adopted in April are outlined below. First, the amended Act expands the grounds for imposing export and import restrictions to protect national interests against an increasingly diverse range of trade risks. Previously, these restrictions were permitted only in circumstances such as war, civil unrest, natural disasters, unfair discrimination by trading partners, or the need to maintain international peace. They may now also be imposed to address national security threats or protect individuals’ and companies’ information, public morals, or national treasures.  Second, the amended Act allows requests to KCS for preferential tariff statistics to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and middle market enterprises use trade agreements. It also establishes a legal basis for institutions that provide this support. These provisions aim to help these businesses respond systematically to changes in the trade environment. Accordingly, the amendments to the Enforcement Decree update the rules governing investigations for imposing export and import restrictions. They also clarify provisions on requesting data to support the use of trade agreements and designating institutions that provide this support. First, the amendments specify the scope and methods of investigations for imposing export and import restrictions. They establish procedures for consulting experts and gathering stakeholder views, and provide for detailed investigation rules to be prescribed by public notice. These rules will govern the investigations, thereby supporting the effective implementation of export and import restrictions. The amendments also specify which statistics on preferential tariffs KCS is to provide for support programs. These include export and import values eligible for preferential tariff treatment, values that actually received such treatment, and preferential tariff utilization rates for exports and imports. The data will support programs that systematically help SMEs and middle market enterprises use trade agreements and respond to changes in the trade environment. Finally, the amendments clarify the legal status and oversight framework of institutions that support businesses in using trade agreements to enable a systematic and stable response to changes in the trade environment. The amendments set out designation requirements and procedures, as well as grounds for revoking designation, including continued failure to meet those requirements or clearly improper performance of duties. They also establish a legal basis for hearings before designation is revoked. The amended Enforcement Decree is scheduled to take effect on October 22, together with the April amendments to the Foreign Trade Act. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will work to protect national interests against an increasingly diverse range of security threats. Amid rapid changes in the trade environment, the ministry plans to establish a support framework through public-private cooperation, including institutions that help businesses use trade agreements, and provide a clear legal basis for KCS to supply data. These steps will help MOTIR effectively deliver programs supporting the use of trade agreements and other related initiatives. date2026-10-14