Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea–EU Discuss Key Trade Issues, Including New EU Steel Import Measures and Cosmetics Export Concerns

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 13th Korea–EU Committee on Trade in Goods meeting in Seoul on Thursday, November 13, 2025, under the Korea–EU Free Trade Agreement (Korea–EU FTA). As the consultative channel for tariff and non-tariff issues related to trade in goods, the committee reviewed the implementation of the Korea–EU FTA and discussed ways to address market-access challenges for companies on both sides. Now in its 13th year of implementation, the Korea–EU FTA continues to serve as a foundation for an open and transparent market and a mutually beneficial trade relationship between Korea and the EU. Based on this framework, the two sides have maintained steady economic exchanges despite rising global trade uncertainties, including heightened protectionism and supply-chain instability. The Korean side emphasized that strengthened EU regulations—such as the EU Battery Regulation, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the F-gas Regulation—should not place excessive burdens on businesses and must be applied in a non-discriminatory manner to both EU and non-EU companies. Regarding the steel import measures recently proposed by the European Commission, Korea emphasized that it is an FTA partner and trusted counterpart working with the EU to address global steel overcapacity, not a target of restrictions. It also noted that the measure should not undermine the principles of free and fair trade between Korea and the EU and called for a mutually agreeable solution. As the EU tightens regulations on packaging and packaging waste in the cosmetics sector—an industry of growing importance for Korea—the Korean side requested clear communication of the relevant rules and sufficient preparation time for companies before enforcement. It further highlighted the need for continued dialogue during the revision of the Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR). On issues of interest to the EU—such as labeling and online sales regulations for alcoholic beverages, offshore wind power systems, and safety regulations for children’s products—the Korean delegation shared its ongoing engagement with relevant industries and provided detailed responses to the EU’s inquiries. Both sides agreed to maintain close discussions and cooperation to achieve meaningful outcomes at the Trade Committee meeting scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. date2025-11-14

MOTIR Discusses Corporate Support Measures with Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance

Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), met with Tran Quoc Phuong, Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Finance, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Lotte Hotel Seoul. The two officials discussed practical ways to strengthen economic cooperation, including measures to address challenges faced by Korean companies operating in Vietnam and collaboration in the nuclear energy sector. Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim and the Vietnamese Minister of Finance previously held a minister-level meeting in August 2025 during the state visit of Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam. Subsequently, the two sides convened a director-general-level meeting in September, followed by this deputy-minister-level meeting in November, continuing a series of discussions to enhance bilateral engagement. Deputy Minister Park noted that large-scale investments by Korean companies in Vietnam have continued despite the rapidly changing global trade environment, with investment in the first half of 2025 more than doubling year-on-year. He added that bilateral ties have further strengthened under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, highlighted by two summit meetings held this year (in August and at the APEC Summit in October) following the inauguration of the new Vietnamese government. During the discussions, Korea raised several key issues faced by Korean businesses in Vietnam and requested swift and effective solutions to these challenges: ①    delayed refunds of value-added tax (VAT), ②    smooth implementation support for the global minimum tax, ③    reduced electricity payments to renewable energy companies, and ④    support for LNG power generation investment projects. The two sides also agreed on the need for close policy dialogue between their ministries on nuclear energy. Building on this meeting, Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance—which oversees public investment and foreign investment policy—and Korea’s MOTIR—which oversees the real economy—plan to continue strengthening cooperation across relevant sectors. date2025-11-14

Korea’s ICT Exports Extend Growth Streak in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyung-hoon) announced on November 14 that Korea’s ICT exports in October 2025 rose 12.2 percent year-on-year to USD 23.3 billion, the highest October figure on record. Imports fell 2.9 percent to $13.0 billion, resulting in a $10.4 billion surplus. ICT exports grew for the ninth consecutive month despite fewer working days and global trade uncertainty, driven by strong semiconductor performance. Semiconductor exports increased 25.4 percent as DRAM and NAND prices continued to rise and demand for high-value memory for AI servers remained strong. Communication equipment exports also rose 2.5 percent on higher demand from Vietnam and India. Displays (down 8.8 percent), mobile phones (down 11.8 percent), and computers/peripherals (down 1.0 percent) declined. Display exports fell on lower unit prices, mobile phone exports weakened due to reduced component shipments to China, and computers/peripherals narrowed their decline as SSD demand improved. By destination, exports increased to China including Hong Kong (up 4.9 percent), Vietnam (up 3.8 percent), the EU (up 29.2 percent), and the United States (up 5.8 percent), while exports to Japan fell 4.6 percent. ICT imports fell 2.9 percent to $13.0 billion, driven by declines in mobile phones and displays, while imports of GPUs and mid-to-large-scale computers continued to rise on expanding AI infrastructure demand. date2025-11-14

Korea’s Bioindustry Sees Growth in 2024: Production Up 9.8%, Exports Up 17.1%, Investment Up 46.1%

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO, President Ko Hansung) announced the results of the 2025 Bioindustry Survey (Based on 2024 Data), which covers the status of production, trade, employment, and investment in Korea’s bioindustry. Conducted in accordance with Article 3 of the Statistics Act, the survey is a national statistical report released annually by MOTIR through KoreaBIO, based on the previous year’s bioindustry performance. As biotechnology expands beyond pharmaceuticals and food into broader industrial applications and daily life, ushering in the era of the bioeconomy, this survey provides valuable insight into the scale of Korea’s biotechnology-based economy. According to the findings, Korea’s bioindustry production reached KRW 22.9 trillion, marking a 9.8 percent increase from the previous year and signaling a recovery in growth. Bioindustry exports rose 17.1 percent year-on-year, driven by increased shipments of major products such as antibody drugs and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing (CMO) services, boosting overall production. Total investment also surged 46.1 percent, with R&D spending up 3.2 percent and large-scale facility investment up 145.3 percent. Choi Woo-hyuk, Director General for Advanced Industry Policy at MOTIR, stated, “Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global trade environment, Korea’s bioindustry is regaining momentum. We will continue to strengthen support for companies’ efforts in research and development, production, and export expansion so that the bioindustry can contribute more to the Korean economy and employment.” date2025-11-13

Korea and Qatar to Strengthen Cooperation in Energy Supply Chains, Plant, and Shipbuilding Sectors

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar and CEO of QatarEnergy, in Seoul on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing on energy supply chain collaboration. The meeting, arranged during Minister Al-Kaabi’s visit to Korea, provided an opportunity for the two countries to address key issues related to energy supply chain stability and exchange views on expanding practical cooperation in the plant construction and shipbuilding sectors. Both ministers commended the longstanding partnership between Korea and Qatar in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and noted its role in maintaining supply chain stability. They also discussed Qatar’s ongoing plans to expand LNG production and shared perspectives on broadening cooperation across industrial and resource-related fields, including measures to ensure a stable energy supply. Recognizing the close interconnection between LNG trade and related industries such as plant construction and shipbuilding, the two countries agreed to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in these areas. MOTIR stated that this meeting with Qatar’s top energy official served as an important opportunity to reinforce energy supply chain stability and expand practical cooperation in key industrial sectors. The ministry added that it will continue to strengthen high-level dialogue channels with Qatar and pursue concrete project-based partnerships in LNG, plant construction, and shipbuilding. date2025-11-13

K-Fashion, Food, and Beauty Industries to Drive the Next Phase of K-Exports

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo visited MUSINSA Standard Seongsu, a leading K-fashion retailer, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, to examine the current status of K-fashion exports. He also held a roundtable with representatives from major retail and distribution companies, including MUSINSA, Delivered Korea, Coupang, CJ Olive Young, and Kurly, to discuss industry challenges and strategies for expanding exports of K-consumer goods. The visit and discussions were organized to explore ways to expand consumer goods exports through established retail platforms amid the global rise of K-culture and growing demand for K-consumer products. MOTIR plans to strengthen support to foster K-consumer goods industries as new export growth engines. First, the ministry will promote premium branding of K-consumer goods by enhancing marketing efforts linked to the Korean Wave. It plans to expand promotional opportunities through major events such as K-pop concerts and the Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo (KBEE) while allowing trend-setting retail platforms to take the lead in planning and executing marketing initiatives. Second, MOTIR will address export challenges related to logistics, certification, and intellectual property rights. In cooperation with KOTRA’s overseas trade offices, the ministry will provide tailored logistics infrastructure for consumer goods and expand consulting and information services on foreign certifications, such as halal standards. Lastly, the ministry will support the expansion of cross-border direct-to-consumer (D2C) exports through online platforms. It aims to help Korean retailers grow into global platforms by supporting the establishment and promotion of global online malls, partnerships with local logistics providers, and customs clearance and certification procedures. Trade Minister Yeo stated, “Our retail platforms serve as a key bridge connecting K-consumer goods with overseas consumers. As capable Korean retailers expand globally, more products from Korean SMEs are reaching customers worldwide. To further establish K-exports as a new growth engine, MOTIR will incorporate today’s discussions into the upcoming ‘Plan to Expand Exports of K-Consumer Goods Linked to the Korean Wave,’ which will be announced by the end of the year. date2025-11-13

ASML Completes Hwaseong Campus, Strengthening Cooperation in Advanced Semiconductor Technology

Kang Gam-chan, Director General for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), attended ASML’s “Hwaseong Campus Opening Ceremony” held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. ASML, a leading global semiconductor equipment company based in the Netherlands, exclusively manufactures extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment—which is essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processing—and supplies it to major companies worldwide, including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and TSMC. The newly completed ASML Hwaseong Campus serves as the company’s key hub in Asia, integrating a remanufacturing center for advanced equipment components such as DUV and EUV lithography systems, along with a training center for advanced technology transfer. The campus is expected to enhance supply chain stability for Korea’s semiconductor industry and support technological localization. Furthermore, ASML plans to use the campus to strengthen technical cooperation and knowledge exchange with Korean semiconductor firms such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while building an ecosystem linking Korea’s materials, parts, and equipment companies—thereby advancing a mutually beneficial cooperation model with Korea’s semiconductor industry. In his congratulatory remarks, Director General Kang emphasized that “foreign investment is a key driver of Korea’s economic innovation and growth.” He added, “The government will continue to foster a favorable investment environment for global companies by expanding cash grants, enhancing location-based and tax incentives, and improving regulations.” He further noted, “Close cooperation among local governments, the central government, and partner countries is crucial for advancing Korea’s semiconductor industry. Today’s opening ceremony is an excellent example of such collaboration.” He concluded, “I hope that cooperation and investment in the semiconductor industry between Korea and the Netherlands will continue to deepen going forward. date2025-11-13

Korea to Strengthen Global Competitiveness in Nanotechnology Standards

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) announced that it will host the 2025 ISO/TC 229 (Nanotechnologies) Plenary Meeting from Monday, November 10, to Friday, November 14, 2025, at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon, in cooperation with the Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency and the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science. ISO/TC 229, a technical committee under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), develops international standards for nanotechnologies used across cutting-edge industries such as biotechnology, displays, and quantum technology. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the committee’s establishment. The plenary meeting will bring together approximately 100 participants from over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Japan, and China, as well as Korean industry and academic experts, to discuss global standardization issues related to nanotechnology measurement standards, health and safety, and sustainability. Korea is currently developing ten international standards in areas including nanomaterial particle characterization, nanoproduct applications, and health and safety assessments of nanotechnologies. KATS expects that hosting this plenary meeting will increase the likelihood of the ten Korea-proposed standards being adopted as formal international standards, thereby strengthening the global competitiveness of Korean companies utilizing nanotechnology—including those in the display, future mobility, and biotechnology sectors. President Kim Dae-ja stated that KATS will continue to expand the development of international standards and Korean Industrial Standards (KS) for nanomaterials to enhance Korea’s competitiveness in advanced industries, while also contributing to industrial development in health- and safety-related fields. date2025-11-10