Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

MOTIR Steps Up Efforts to Prevent Industrial Technology Leakage in Response to National Assembly Audit

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) plans to strengthen institutional measures and cooperation with relevant government agencies to make its response to technology leakage more effective. The plan follows concerns raised about industrial technology protection during MOTIR’s National Assembly audit on October 6, 2026, which the ministry takes seriously.   During the October 6 audit, lawmakers called for more staff and funding for technology protection at MOTIR, the ministry responsible for overseeing industrial technology protection, and the introduction of special judicial police powers to investigate technology leakage. They also called for closer cooperation between MOTIR and agencies such as the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) to comprehensively manage data, including statistics on technology leakage, and develop technology protection policies. Lawmakers further called for clear criteria to determine when technology leakage offenses can be punished as espionage. To ensure stricter penalties, lawmakers also called for requiring courts to obtain MOTIR’s confirmation during court proceedings as to whether the technology in question constitutes industrial technology.   To address the growing threat of technology leakage, MOTIR amended the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology in 2025. The amendments strengthened oversight of companies by introducing a system for the government to determine ex officio whether companies hold national core technologies, while also increasing penalties for technology leakage offenders, including higher fines. MOTIR has also continued to strengthen interagency cooperation on technology protection by operating the government-wide joint response team on technology leakage and the Industrial Technology Protection Policy Council.   However, as methods of technology leakage become more sophisticated and technology security grows increasingly important, concerns have been raised that existing measures and response systems alone may not be enough to build a robust and comprehensive technology protection system that meets the needs of the public and businesses. MOTIR takes the issues raised during the National Assembly audit seriously and plans to actively pursue the following policies to make its response to technology leakage more effective.   First, MOTIR will strengthen the security capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities, and other organizations vulnerable to technology leakage. The ministry will expand support for the installation of security equipment and consulting services for SMEs and other organizations, while strengthening oversight of key personnel to prevent technology leaks through personnel. The ministry will also step up inspections of companies’ technology protection practices to address emerging risks associated with the growing use of AI and the expansion of companies into overseas markets. Second, MOTIR will take steps to ensure that illicit profits from technology leakage are recovered. The ministry plans to broaden the scope of assets subject to confiscation and recognize technology development costs incurred by affected companies as damages. It will also allow courts to commission specialized institutions to assess damages, helping affected companies obtain meaningful relief. Third, MOTIR will work to prevent technology leakage offenders from evading punishment in court. It will establish a legal basis for courts to request MOTIR’s confirmation during trials as to whether the technology in question constitutes industrial technology. The ministry will also establish a legal basis to request data from intelligence and investigative agencies on the extent of damage, methods of leakage, and other relevant details to obtain an accurate picture of technology leakage. date2026-10-08

Korea Launches Full-Scale Efforts to Usher in a New Era of Nuclear Power Exports

On October 7, 2026, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with stakeholders across Korea’s nuclear sector at Seoul Club on the 18th floor of the Korea Press Center in Seoul, on the occasion of the launch and inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Export Leaders Forum. At the meeting, participants discussed how to usher in a new era of nuclear power exports. Worldwide interest in nuclear power, a reliable source of carbon-free electricity, has been growing as countries seek to address the climate crisis and energy security concerns and meet rising electricity demand from the spread of AI and data centers. This has also raised expectations for the overseas expansion of Korea’s nuclear industry. Against this backdrop, Korea’s nuclear sector has expressed the view that ushering in a new era of nuclear power exports would require a communication channel linking industry, academia, research institutes, and government to share information and exchange views on current issues. In response, the Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation (KNA) launched the Nuclear Export Leaders Forum with its member companies and other stakeholders. MOTIR and KNA supported the inaugural forum, and going forward, KNA and stakeholders across the nuclear sector will jointly develop its operating framework, run the forum independently, and hold meetings on a regular basis. From MOTIR, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment Kang Gam-chan and Lee Sang-eun, Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Cooperation Division,, both of whom oversaw the working-level negotiations on the Korea–U.S. Nuclear Power Framework, attended the forum. They explained the framework and shared anecdotes, giving participants a vivid account of the negotiations leading to the agreement with the United States. Participants also shared a range of views on entering overseas markets, including the United States. In particular, representatives of nuclear SMEs and middle market enterprises expressed high expectations for entering overseas nuclear markets, inquiring about opportunities to participate in supply chains for U.S. projects and the relevant requirements. In response to this interest, the government plans to actively support Korean companies in acquiring the design and manufacturing capabilities and meeting the qualification requirements needed to enter overseas nuclear supply chains. It will enhance around 30 existing support programs, including the “Nuclear Export First Step” program, support for certification and supplier registration, and export bond insurance. The government will also develop new support measures tailored to global markets, including the United States, and begin providing full-scale support in 2027. In addition, the government plans to invite global nuclear industry representatives to the 2026 Global Nuclear Energy & Safety Confex (NES 2026), to be held in Gyeongju from October 27 to 29, and organize supplier briefings, B2B meetings, and other activities. In his congratulatory remarks, Deputy Minister Kang thanked Korea’s nuclear sector and said, “The recent Korea–U.S. agreement was made possible by the hard work of the nuclear sector, which has built a strong nuclear ecosystem and successfully completed projects despite difficult conditions.” He expressed hope that, with global demand for nuclear power growing, Korea’s nuclear sector would come together and pool its capabilities to expand into global markets. He also stressed that the government would provide all possible support to usher in a new era of nuclear power exports. date2026-10-08

Korea’s FDI Notifications Through Q3 2026 Rise 10.8% to $22.9 Billion, Actual Inflows Up 30.6% to $14.9 Billion

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Korea on a notification basis reached USD 22.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2026, up 10.8 percent year-on-year. Actual inflows increased 30.6 percent year-on-year to $14.9 billion. Despite continued uncertainty in the investment environment, including prolonged tensions in the Middle East, foreign investment has continued to flow into promising sectors, underpinned by confidence in Korea’s economic fundamentals. In particular, significant foreign investment has continued to flow into advanced industries such as semiconductor materials, parts and equipment and AI data centers, supported by Korea’s semiconductor and other industrial supply chains and its AI ecosystem. Analysis also indicates that investment is expanding in clean energy, including offshore wind. Investment Notifications Investment notifications reached $22.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2026, up 10.8 percent year-on-year. This was the third-highest January–September total on record, suggesting that the upward momentum in foreign investment has continued. By type, greenfield investment notifications for new or expanded factories and business sites totaled $18.5 billion, up 4.0 percent year-on-year. After falling 19.8 percent in the first quarter, cumulative greenfield investment growth turned positive in the third quarter, which is viewed as a meaningful improvement. Meanwhile, M&A investment notifications, including corporate equity acquisitions and mergers, rose 53.1 percent to $4.4 billion, maintaining strong growth. By industry, manufacturing investment notifications fell 34.5 percent year-on-year to $5.7 billion, led by declines in chemicals, down 28.1 percent to $1.8 billion, and electrical and electronic products, down 38.5 percent to $1.8 billion. In contrast, investment in the machinery, equipment, and medical and precision instruments sector and in non-metallic mineral products continued to rise, increasing 145.1 percent to $0.9 billion and 13.0 percent to $0.4 billion, respectively. Services investment notifications rose 27.8 percent year-on-year to $14.2 billion. Investment increased across most sectors, including finance and insurance, up 29.8 percent to $5.4 billion, and real estate, up 72.6 percent to $1.9 billion. In particular, information and communications, including data centers, posted strong growth, rising 35.8 percent to $2.4 billion. Investment notifications in electricity, gas, water supply, environmental remediation, and construction, including clean-energy power generation projects, also increased sharply by 279.5 percent year-on-year to $3.0 billion. By source country, investment notifications from the United States rose 35.1 percent year-on-year to $6.7 billion, with numerous investment projects in promising areas such as semiconductor materials, parts and equipment and data centers. Investment notifications from the European Union remained broadly unchanged from a year earlier at $2.4 billion, down 3.9 percent, while those from Japan and China fell 47.9 percent to $1.9 billion and 39.7 percent to $1.7 billion, respectively. Actual Inflows Actual inflows reached $14.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2026, up 30.6 percent year-on-year and marking the highest January–September total on record. By type, greenfield investment inflows edged down 4.9 percent year-on-year to $7.9 billion, while M&A investment inflows rose 126.0 percent to $7.0 billion, maintaining strong growth. By industry, actual inflows into manufacturing rose 110.6 percent year-on-year to $6.3 billion. Investment in chemicals and non-metallic mineral products continued to grow, rising 256.6 percent to $4.8 billion and 242.5 percent to $0.4 billion, respectively. Pharmaceutical investment also improved, rising 129.0 percent to $0.3 billion as investment flowed into biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Actual inflo date2026-10-07

Korea and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Business Cooperation in Future Advanced Industries

The 2026 Saudi-Korea Business & Investment Forum, sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), was held in Seoul on October 6, 2026. The forum brought together around 250 business leaders from the two countries to discuss deepening cooperation in infrastructure and energy, as well as expanding cooperation in advanced industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare and defense. Saudi Arabia is Korea’s largest crude oil supplier and a key economic partner in the Middle East. The forum was held to strengthen the bilateral partnership as Saudi Arabia pursues industrial upgrading and economic diversification under its Vision 2030 national strategy. The forum centered on four areas: advanced industries; telecommunications, media and healthcare; utilities, resources and logistics; and special zone development and construction. Participating companies presented investment proposals and held one-on-one business meetings to explore and discuss practical ways for companies to cooperate. About 20 major Saudi companies attended, including Ceer, Saudi Arabia’s first EV manufacturer; Saudi Telecom Company (STC), the country’s largest telecommunications provider; and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the state-owned defense company. About 90 Korean companies already working with Saudi partners or exploring new opportunities for cooperation also participated and engaged in active discussions. In his congratulatory remarks, Minister for Trade Park Jung-sung said, “The solid trust Korea and Saudi Arabia have built will be the surest way to turn crises into opportunities amid complex challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, the AI revolution and protectionism. We will use the AI transformation as an opportunity to accelerate cooperation in advanced industries, while strengthening the institutional foundation for broader trade and investment between companies in the two countries, including by working toward the swift entry into force of the Korea–GCC FTA.” date2026-10-06

Minister for Trade of MOTIR Emphasizes International Cooperation for Fair Trade and Resilient Supply Chains at G20

Minister for Trade Park Jung-sung of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) attended the G20 Trade Ministerial held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from September 30 to October 1, 2026, to discuss responses to global supply chain challenges and key trade issues. Beginning with the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) Ministerial Meeting on the morning of September 30, 2026, Minister Park participated in four sessions during the two-day G20 plenary: the weaponization of food through coercive trade action; structural excess capacity and overproduction; reforming the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) principle; and eliminating forced labor in global supply chains. He actively presented the Korean government's positions during the discussions. During the meeting, Minister Park also held bilateral talks with counterparts from the United States, China, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Türkiye, Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. The talks covered FTAs; supply chains and economic security; industrial and resource cooperation; and trade issues facing Korean companies. 1. Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) Ministerial Meeting Minister Park attended the GFSEC Ministerial Meeting from 8 to 10 a.m. (local time) on September 30, 2026. GFSEC is an international consultative forum launched in 2016 to jointly address global steel excess capacity. It currently has 28 members, including Korea, the United States, the EU and Japan. According to the OECD, global steel excess capacity is projected to reach 745 million metric tons in 2028, the highest level in the past decade. Members shared the view that overproduction by some non-members had placed steel industries in member countries under serious pressure. In response, member representatives adopted a Ministerial Statement emphasizing the need to address excess capacity and restore fair competition, along with a Framework Agreement setting out the details. The Framework Agreement covers information-sharing on excess capacity, the collection of data on the origin of crude steel, and cooperation on trade remedies. At the meeting, Minister Park said, “Addressing excess capacity requires adherence to basic principles, including voluntary corporate restructuring and trade remedies consistent with WTO rules.” He particularly stressed that efforts by GFSEC members to maintain a sound and orderly market environment must not lead to excessive protection beyond international rules. Minister Park also outlined Korea's three policy directions for the steel industry: voluntary capacity rationalization by companies; fostering an environment for fair competition; and strengthening the industry's future competitiveness through measures including lower-carbon and higher-value production. He also emphasized cooperation among GFSEC members to build resilient supply chains. 2. G20 Trade Ministerial At the plenary sessions of the G20 Trade Ministerial held from September 30 to October 1, 2026, Minister Park shared Korea's policy experience concerning the weaponization of food, structural overproduction, MFN reform and forced labor. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation based on market principles and multilateral rules. Weaponization of Food: Creating a Transparent and Predictable Food Trade Environment Minister Park first attended the session on the weaponization of food on September 30, noting that the issue has recently emerged as an important and timely item on the international trade agenda. He stressed that food should under no circumstances be used as a tool of economic or political coercion and that addressing the weaponization of food requires an inclusive approach that takes into account both food-exporting and food-importing countries. Structural Overproduction: Responding through Market Principles and International Cooperation date2026-10-02

September Exports Reach Record $120.9 Billion, Trade Surplus Hits Record $49.9 Billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that in September 2026, Korea’s exports rose 83.5 percent year-on-year to USD 120.94 billion. Imports increased 26.0 percent to $71.09 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $49.85 billion. September exports rose 83.5 percent to $120.9 billion, exceeding $120.0 billion for the first time. Cumulative exports from January to September 2026 reached $814.5 billion, surpassing the 2025 annual record of $709.3 billion. Semiconductor exports rose 263 percent, while non-semiconductor exports increased 23 percent. Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, rose 105 percent to $5.63 billion, exceeding $5.0 billion for the first time. By item, exports increased in 11 of Korea’s 20 key export items. In IT, semiconductor exports rose 262.8 percent to $60.30 billion, exceeding $60.0 billion for the first time as memory demand continued to grow, with export volumes continuing to expand and contract prices maintaining their upward trend. Computer exports rose 435.3 percent to $7.00 billion as adoption of agentic AI expanded and demand for AI infrastructure continued to grow. Wireless communication device exports increased 23.4 percent to $2.14 billion, marking 11 consecutive months of growth, supported by strong sales of premium models such as the Galaxy Z8 series and Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as increased exports of components for iPhones. Automobile exports edged down 5.5 percent to $6.05 billion, reflecting a base effect from the Chuseok holiday shifting from October in 2025 to September this year and weaker used-car exports. Average daily automobile exports, however, rose 5.5 percent. Ship exports rose 29.9 percent to $3.76 billion as deliveries of LNG carriers and very large gas carriers (VLGCs) increased. Petroleum product exports rose 72.0 percent to $7.22 billion, while petrochemical exports increased 5.1 percent to $3.95 billion. The increases came as international oil prices rose sharply amid fewer vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz and heightened shipping risks in the Red Sea. Export volumes, however, fell 6.9 percent for petroleum products and 19.1 percent for petrochemicals. Meanwhile, secondary battery exports rose 14.0 percent to $0.72 billion, marking a fifth consecutive month of growth as export volumes increased with the expansion of the ESS market and unit prices rose on higher mineral prices. Steel exports posted modest growth of 3.3 percent to $2.24 billion despite tighter import restrictions in major markets, including U.S. tariffs and EU TRQs, as demand from AI data centers, particularly in the United States, increased. General machinery exports edged down 3.2 percent to $4.07 billion. Improving PMIs in the United States and China and increased investment in overseas factories supported higher exports of machinery parts and other items, but fewer working days and higher logistics costs weighed on overall exports. Cosmetics exports rose 31.4 percent to $1.51 billion, reaching an all-time high as shipments increased across major markets, including China, the United States, ASEAN, and the EU. Agricultural and fisheries product exports fell 4.7 percent to $1.11 billion. Exports of noodles, sauces, and other products remained strong, but factors such as fewer working days weighed on overall exports. By destination, exports increased in six of Korea’s nine major markets. Exports to China surged 122.7 percent to $26.01 billion, exceeding $20.0 billion for a fourth consecutive month. Although exports of some items, including petrochemicals, remained weak, growth was led by semiconductors, wireless communication devices, and computers. Exports to the United States jumped 137.0 percent to $24.33 billion, with major items such as semiconductors, petroleum products, and general machinery posting broad-based gains. Automobile exports also increased, supported by date2026-10-01

MOTIR to Foster Anchor Mid-Sized Enterprises with Proprietary Technologies

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a meeting with representatives of mid-sized enterprises at HANA Micron, a mid-sized enterprise specializing in semiconductor back-end processing, in Asan on October 1, 2026. At the meeting, Minister Kim announced the Third Basic Plan for Promoting the Growth of Mid-Sized Enterprises (2026–2030).   The event was organized to present the government’s future policy direction for mid-sized enterprises at an industrial site, with the aim of helping them grow into key players in reinvigorating the Korean economy and leading its industrial ecosystem.   The Special Act on the Promotion of Growth and the Strengthening of Competitiveness of Middle-Standing Enterprises was enacted in 2014 as temporary legislation and made permanent in 2023, and has since supported the development of mid-sized enterprises. Under the Act, the government has set the overall direction and strategies for mid-sized enterprise policy through two previous basic plans and is now announcing the third.   Mid-sized enterprises account for just 1.5 percent of all companies in Korea, but account for 15 percent of production, 18 percent of exports and 14 percent of employment. They form the backbone of the Korean economy and serve as its “Middle Power,” linking large enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, 85 percent of mid-sized manufacturers are materials, parts and equipment (MPE) companies, supporting Korea’s industrial ecosystem and supply chains.   However, the number of companies growing from SMEs into mid-sized enterprises has recently declined, while more mid-sized enterprises are reverting to SME status. Structural barriers also persist: companies lose support and benefits as they grow from SMEs into mid-sized enterprises, resulting in a “support cliff,” while mid-sized enterprises face more regulation as they grow into large enterprises, resulting in a “growth hurdle.”   Third Basic Plan for Promoting the Growth of Mid-Sized Enterprises   With these challenges in mind, the government plans to pursue four strategies under the vision of “The Middle Power of the Korean Economy at the Center of Dynamic Growth.”   (1) Strengthen Core Capabilities: KRW 1 Trillion Deca-core Project to Help Mid-sized Enterprises Grow into Global Super Suppliers   MOTIR plans to foster “anchor mid-sized enterprises” that own proprietary technologies and intellectual property (IP). To this end, it will launch the Deca-core Project, a KRW 1 trillion initiative running from 2027 through 2035. Under the project, mid-sized enterprises will work with universities, research institutes and other partners to secure 10 technologies with a substantial competitive edge at the system level, moving beyond individual materials and parts.   A planning committee comprising industry representatives and technology and supply chain experts will be formed by the end of this year to identify candidate projects. Support will cover technology development across the core materials, parts, equipment, processes and finished products that make up each system, and extend to commercialization and overseas expansion, including patents, standards, market access and certification.   MOTIR also plans to support the independent development of items that mid-sized enterprises need in their operations and that are either subject to supply-chain bottlenecks or heavily dependent on overseas sources. It will identify candidate items based on trade data and industry demand surveys, and support companies in developing core technologies and having their technologies incorporated into global customers’ specifications.   (2) Strengthen the Growth Ladder: Rejuvenate Growth from SMEs to Mid-sized and Large Enterprises & date2026-10-01

Korea to Host Second Round of Green Economy Partnership Agreement Negotiations

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will host the second round of negotiations for the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) in Seoul from September 30 to October 2, 2026. In negotiating this plurilateral agreement, participating countries will discuss trade rules for the green economy and cooperative measures to expand trade and investment. The Office of Trade Negotiations at MOTIR said around 20 delegates from Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Chile will participate in the negotiations. New Zealand, Singapore and Chile previously announced plans to pursue GEPA on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in October 2025 and subsequently launched negotiations in Singapore in July 2026. Korea formalized its participation in GEPA through an exchange of letters between the trade ministers on September 11, 2026, and will now take part in the negotiations beginning with this second round. GEPA aims to establish common standards among participating countries for trade-related climate measures such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and facilitate trade in low-emission goods, including low-carbon steel. This round of negotiations will focus on criteria for identifying low-emission and environmental goods, measures to expand trade in these products, and cooperation on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the aviation sector. “With the second round of negotiations, Korea’s participation in GEPA has entered a substantive phase,” said Kim Jang-hee, Director General for Emerging Trade Strategy and Policy at MOTIR. “We will engage actively in the negotiations so that efforts to address climate change and expand green markets can help Korean industry strengthen its competitiveness and secure an early foothold in new markets.” date2026-09-29