Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

K-Trade Opens New Pathways

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) held the 62nd Trade Day Ceremony at COEX in Seoul on Thursday, December 4, 2025, with around 1,000 attendees, including trade-merit honorees and leaders from government ministries and related institutions. 2025 Export Performance and Evaluation Despite numerous challenges, Korea’s exports are on track to reach an all-time high, recording USD 640.2 billion from January to November 2025. Since the launch of the new administration, exports have recorded six consecutive months of growth as uncertainties eased, reflecting a positive “slow start, strong finish” trajectory. Korea’s export growth this year has been driven by strong competitiveness in key manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, automobiles, ships, and bio-related industries. K-consumer goods, including K-food and beauty products, as well as defense exports, have also performed strongly amid the global spread of Korean culture. Export destinations have diversified beyond the traditionally concentrated U.S. and Chinese markets, expanding into ASEAN, the EU, and other regions. The export base has also broadened, with the number of exporting SMEs reaching 89,000 cumulatively in the first three quarters—an all-time high—and SME export value rising to USD 87.1 billion, also marking a record high. Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim stated, “This year’s achievements were made possible by the combination of our industrial competitiveness and strong export commitment, symbolizing the resilience and robustness of our economy and export sector.” He added, “Going forward, we will strive not only to surpass the all-time export record but also to open new pathways for Korean trade through industrial innovation and K-culture—and to ensure that the benefits of export growth extend to SMEs, local communities, and workers across the country.” 62nd Trade Day Ceremony and Awards Held under the slogan “K-Trade Opens New Pathways,” the 62nd Trade Day Ceremony included an opening video, welcome remarks by the KITA Chairman, a theme video, the awards ceremony, congratulatory remarks by the Prime Minister, and a commemorative program. This year, 598 individuals received government commendations, and 1,689 companies were awarded Export Towers in recognition of their contributions to Korea’s export growth. To honor the exceptional contributions of trade professionals in achieving record-high export performance amid global uncertainty—the government awarded one additional Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit—following last year’s expansion of the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. Government commendations and Export Towers were also presented on-site to individuals and companies who excelled in developing new markets and expanding Korea’s export base. This year’s award-winning companies showcased several notable trends: First, companies in core industries such as semiconductors and automobiles demonstrated sustained resilience amid challenging conditions. The Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to a semiconductor inspection equipment manufacturer expanding exports through strong technological capabilities and rising AI chip demand, as well as to an automaker diversifying its export market through manufacturing innovation and competitive product quality. The highest honor—the USD 35 billion Export Tower—was awarded to a leading HBM semiconductor company. Second, shipbuilding and defense companies posted significant growth, further broadening Korea’s export portfolio. Major Export Towers (USD 4 billion and USD 600 million) were awarded to shipbuilders advancing the transition to eco-friendly vessels, and a Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit date2025-12-16

Korea and African Countries Discuss Ways to Expand Trade and Industry Cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the “2025 Korea–Africa Trade and Industry Cooperation Forum” on Monday, December 15, 2025, in Seoul. Approximately 100 participants attended the forum, including Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade; Kim Young-chae, President of the Korea–Africa Foundation (KAF); Chafik Rachadi, Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors in Korea (AGA) and Ambassador of Morocco to Korea; ambassadors from 12 African countries; and representatives from industry and academia. The forum reviewed the outcomes of economic cooperation with Africa—an emerging hub for production, logistics, and resource supply chains, supported by its young population and abundant resources. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global trade environment marked by growing protectionism and supply chain restructuring, participants discussed ways to strengthen momentum for future collaboration. They also assessed the results of a series of economic cooperation events held by MOTIR and KOTRA across major African countries in November 2025, in connection with the first-ever G20 Summit hosted on the African continent, and discussed ways to advance concrete cooperation measures. In his welcome remarks, Deputy Minister Park emphasized that “cooperation between Korea and Africa is a wise choice that can turn crises into opportunities and promote shared growth amid challenges in the global trade environment.” He added that “the government will actively pursue trade agreements with African countries, strengthen cooperation in critical minerals and manufacturing supply chains, and expand infrastructure partnerships in line with local demand in Africa.” At the forum, MOTIR presented Ministerial Commendations to two individuals in recognition of their contributions to trade cooperation with the Middle East and Africa: Kang Munsu, Associate Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), and Lee So-won, Team Leader at the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). date2025-12-15

MOTIR and China’s Ministry of Commerce Hold Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Beijing After Seven-Year Hiatus

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) visited Beijing from Thursday, December 11 to Friday, December 12, 2025, to hold a Korea–China Trade Ministers’ Meeting with Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China. The meeting marked the first standalone bilateral trade ministers’ meeting in seven years, following the previous meeting held in Beijing in June 2018, and took place just over a month after the two sides met on November 1, 2025, in Gyeongju on the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.  At the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation, including follow-up measures to the agreements reached at the Korea–China summit held during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Korea on November 1, 2025. Minister Kim and Minister Wang shared the view that close inter-ministerial communication should be maintained to sustain the momentum toward restoring bilateral relations and to deliver tangible outcomes that contribute to the recovery of people’s livelihoods. As bilateral trade has remained stagnant since reaching a record USD 310.4 billion in 2022, the two sides agreed to expand trade and promote mutual investment, including through regular ministerial-level exchanges to advance substantive discussions. Recognizing that bilateral trade has largely focused on goods, they agreed to expand service trade based on the “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strengthening Service Trade Cooperation” signed on the margins of the recent summit. The two sides also agreed to convene the Korea–China FTA Joint Committee at an early date to review the implementation of the FTA and identify ways to enhance its effectiveness, as well as to accelerate negotiations on the Korea–China FTA covering services and investment.   Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to revitalize regional economies. Korea agreed to continue cooperation with Chinese provincial governments, including Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong, while expanding collaboration to central and inland regions. China agreed to jointly develop new models for regional cooperation, including the dispatch of investment survey missions to areas such as Saemangeum. They also agreed to leverage existing consultation channels, including the vice-ministerial Korea–China Industrial Complex Consultation, to explore ways to strengthen investment cooperation through Korea–China industrial cooperation complexes. Noting the close interlinkages between the two countries’ supply chains, the ministers agreed to maintain close communication to facilitate the smooth supply of key items, including rare earths. They also agreed to support stable trade in critical minerals through the active use of the general licensing system, based on the Korea–China export controls dialogue. Korea conveyed its position on trade remedy investigations involving Chinese hot-rolled steel products, noting that they are being conducted fairly and transparently in accordance with WTO rules. Both sides agreed on the need to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings arising from trade remedy measures and to enhance prior communication through regular director-general-level meetings.   The two sides reaffirmed the importance of a WTO-centered, rules-based multilateral trading system and agreed to continue cooperation under regional frameworks including APEC and RCEP. Korea also agreed to support China’s successful hosting of APEC next year by sharing its experience as a former host economy. Following the meeting, the two sides signed a document titled “Key Cooperation Matters between Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and China’s Ministry of Commerce.” Based on this framework, the two ministries will work to ensure smooth date2025-12-15

Korea’s ICT Exports Reach All-Time High in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Ministry of Science and ICT announced on December 15 that Korea’s exports of ICT goods in November 2025 rose 24.3 percent year-on-year to USD 25.5 billion. Imports increased by 2.7 percent to $12.8 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $12.7 billion. Amid a recovery in global demand for ICT devices, ICT exports rose for the tenth consecutive month on a year-on-year basis in November, reaching an all-time high. The trade balance also posted the largest surplus on record, in line with the strong growth in exports. By product, exports of semiconductors (up 38.6 percent), mobile phones (up 3.5 percent), computers/peripherals (up 1.9 percent), and communication equipment (up 3.3 percent) increased, while display exports declined (down 3.7 percent). Semiconductor exports reached a record high, supported by continued increases in fixed memory semiconductor prices and strong demand for high-value products. Mobile phone exports rose on robust demand for high-performance components, including camera modules and 3D sensing modules. Exports of computers and peripherals returned to growth on strong SSD demand as investment in AI servers expanded.   Communication equipment exports increased thanks to recovering demand for automotive equipment in the United States and for components in Vietnam. By contrast, display exports declined, as falling LCD prices and weaker downstream demand outweighed a rebound in OLED exports. By destination, exports to India fell 8.9 percent, while exports to China, including Hong Kong (up 25.3 percent), Vietnam (up 11.6 percent), the European Union (up 18.1 percent), the United States (up 7.9 percent), and Taiwan (up 32.2 percent) all increased. Exports to Japan also rose 18.0 percent, returning to growth on higher shipments of semiconductors and computers and peripherals. ICT imports amounted to $12.8 billion in November, up 2.7 percent year-on-year, driven by increases in mobile phones, including components (up 26.9 percent), computers/peripherals (up 11.2 percent), and communication equipment (up 21.5 percent). In particular, strong demand for newly released products from major global manufacturers, launched in September, led to higher imports of finished mobile phones. By contrast, imports of semiconductors (down 3.3 percent) and displays (down 0.7 percent) declined. date2025-12-15

Korea Launches Modular Trade Agreement Initiative to Lead the Future Global Trade Order

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo convened a roundtable on new modular trade agreements on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss Korea’s strategy for reshaping global trade norms and cooperation structures through a new modular framework. The concept of modular trade agreements reflects growing recognition that traditional FTAs—focused largely on market opening—are no longer sufficient to fully address emerging trade issues such as supply-chain resilience, the green economy, and digital and AI transformation amid rising global uncertainty. For emerging economies with significant resources and growth potential but high sensitivity to market opening, the government noted that a tailored trade-cooperation model that more precisely reflects each country’s circumstances and cooperation needs has become increasingly important. Accordingly, MOTIR plans to gather broad input from industry and experts as it prepares a modular approach to new trade agreements. The ministry will first develop standard text for four key areas—supply chains, critical minerals, the green economy, and digital trade—after which specific modules and detailed provisions will be selected and combined for partner countries based on their respective conditions and cooperation needs. At the roundtable, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo stated, “Modular trade agreements represent a new cooperation model that enables Korea to take the lead in shaping international standards for next-generation trade rules amid a rapidly changing global environment.” He added, “Through flexible and timely cooperation tailored to each country’s circumstances and business needs, we will build a trade network that delivers tangible benefits to Korean companies.” Industry representatives and experts emphasized that new modular trade agreements must be closely aligned with the actual risks and needs faced by companies, noting the model’s significantly enhanced timeliness, flexibility, and responsiveness compared to traditional FTAs. Based on feedback shared at the roundtable, MOTIR will further refine and finalize the standard text for each module by the end of 2025. Using this framework, the ministry plans to apply the modular approach first to next year’s FTA upgrade negotiations with Singapore and ASEAN, before expanding its use to additional partner countries. date2025-12-11

K-FEZ Expands Investment Outreach to Japanese Port and Logistics Companies

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) hosted “K-FEZ Day in Japan” on December 11, 2025, in Fukuoka. Focused on the port and logistics sector, the event showcased the investment appeal and business environment of Korea’s Free Economic Zones (K-FEZs) to companies in Japan’s Kyushu region, as part of efforts to expand investment outreach. The program included an overview of the K-FEZ investment environment; presentations on port and logistics projects in the Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Busan–Jinhae Free Economic Zones; a briefing by the Japan Maritime Center on the role of Korea–China–Japan manufacturing logistics; and one-on-one investment consultations. Approximately 100 participants attended, including representatives from MOTIR, KOTRA, the Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Busan–Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authorities, as well as major Japanese port and logistics companies such as Nippon Express, Mitsui-Soko, and Kokura Transport. Each Free Economic Zone Authority introduced its specialized initiatives—such as cold-chain clusters, e-commerce districts, and integrated logistics manufacturing facilities. J&K Logistics, a Japanese logistics consulting firm, also shared successful cases of Japanese logistics companies investing in Korea and proposed concrete models for Korea–Japan cooperation, drawing keen interest from participants. Je Kyung-hee, Director-General of the Free Economic Zone Planning Office, stated that “this event reaffirmed the strong interest of major Japanese port and logistics companies in K-FEZs,” adding that “MOTIR will continue strengthening tailored, industry-specific investment promotion activities aligned with the unique characteristics of each Free Economic Zone Authority.” MOTIR plans to promote the K-FEZ investment environment to major investment partner countries, including Japan, and expand opportunities for cooperation with potential investors. date2025-12-11

Korea and Japan Strengthen Investment and Supply Chain Cooperation Amid Rising Trade Uncertainties

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a roundtable with the Seoul Japan Club (SJC) and representatives of Japanese-invested companies at the Korea Press Center’s SJC conference room on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Japan has become Korea’s largest foreign investor despite global trade uncertainties, reaching a record USD 6.1 billion in reported FDI last year—ranking first among all investing countries. Against this backdrop, the roundtable aimed to strengthen dialogue with Japanese companies operating in Korea, providing an opportunity to closely assess their perspectives and challenges and to explore ways to support stable investment activities. Participants included Matsuura Tetsuya, SJC Chairman and President of Mitsubishi Corporation Korea; representatives of major Japanese investors; and officials from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Korea. The Japanese side shared expectations for the new government’s economic policies, called for progress on SJC’s annual recommendations for Japanese companies investing in Korea, raised concerns over the amended Labor Union Act, and requested streamlined entry procedures for foreign businesspersons. Trade Minister Yeo underscored the importance of Korea–Japan cooperation, noting that “the two countries face similar pressures—from U.S. tariff actions and investment dynamics to China’s export controls and EU environmental rules.” He added that “to ensure Japan’s investment in Korea strengthens bilateral supply chains, Korea and Japan should build a future-oriented economic partnership by expanding cooperation in advanced industries, including AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and new energy.” He also stated that “MOTIR will continue supporting Japanese investors by actively reviewing the SJC’s recommendations to be submitted in early 2026.” To further attract Japanese investment, MOTIR will thoroughly review the proposals raised at the roundtable with the relevant ministries and continue creating opportunities for communication with major foreign-invested companies. date2025-12-11

Korea Opens “Rare Metals Cooperation Center” to Advance Critical Minerals Partnership with Mongolia

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it will officially open the Korea–Mongolia Rare Metals Cooperation Center on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology in Ulaanbaatar. The center, established through a grant-based ODA program, will receive approximately KRW 9.8 billion in support from 2023 to 2027. About 150 participants will attend the opening ceremony, including representatives from Mongolia’s Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry (MMHI), the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority, and the Geological Center for Research and Analysis (GCRA), as well as officials from MOTIR, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). Since 2023, MOTIR has been promoting the establishment and operation of Rare Metals Cooperation Centers through ODA programs to strengthen cooperation in critical mineral supply chains. The Mongolia center is the first to open among five centers being established in countries such as Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. Jointly operated by KIGAM and Mongolia’s GCRA, the center will analyze tungsten, molybdenum, lithium, and other rare metals found in Mongolia and provide technical training in mineral processing, refining, and smelting. These activities aim to help Mongolia enhance the value of its rare metal resources and connect them to viable production. MOTIR assessed that the center’s opening marks an important milestone in bilateral cooperation on critical minerals and stated it will continue supporting the center’s operations, thereby advancing Mongolia’s rare metals industry and strengthening Korea’s medium- to long-term supply chain stability. date2025-12-11