Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

MOTIR Explores Investment Cooperation with Japanese Advanced Materials, Parts, and Equipment Companies

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), together with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA, President and CEO Kang Kyung-sung), hosted the Korea–Japan Investment Forum on Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Okura Tokyo. The forum aimed to attract investment from Japan’s advanced materials, parts, and equipment companies into Korea and marked MOTIR’s second major overseas investment promotion event this year, following the Korea–France Investment Forum in September. Approximately 150 participants attended the event, including executives from leading Japanese high-tech companies such as Tokyo Electron (TEL), Mitsui Chemicals, and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK). Participants discussed Korea’s advanced industry trends, foreign investment environment, and opportunities for Korea–Japan technological collaboration, while also sharing success stories and exploring future investment partnerships. Global semiconductor equipment maker TEL drew strong attention by presenting its successful investment experience in Korea. Since entering the Korean market in 2006, TEL has focused on semiconductor equipment supply and R&D, maintaining close collaboration with Korea’s major semiconductor anchor companies. In his opening remarks, Yoo Beop-min, Director General for Investment Policy at MOTIR, emphasized, “By combining Japan’s technological strength in materials, parts, and equipment with Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the two countries can jointly achieve supply chain stability and innovation in high-tech industries.” He added, “The Korean government will further strengthen cash grants and other incentives for foreign investors contributing to supply chain resilience, technological advancement, and job creation, while working to remove regulatory barriers to position Korea as one of the world’s most business-friendly countries.” date2025-10-17

Korea and Sweden Discuss Strategic Cooperation Amid Global Trade Shifts

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) attended the Korea–Sweden Sustainable Partnership Summit, held at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Thursday, October 16, 2025, as part of economic events marking the visit of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria to Korea. The annual summit, launched following reciprocal visits by the leaders of both countries in 2019, aims to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. This year’s discussions focused on strategic collaboration to enhance sustainability and resilience in response to global trade challenges such as climate change, energy transition, and rising geopolitical tensions. The event brought together around 200 participants, including Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, government officials, and major business leaders from both countries. Participants exchanged views on the role of leadership in building a resilient future and on the intersection of AI and sustainability. In addition, three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed between Korean and Swedish companies and research institutes in the fields of power systems, semiconductors, and offshore wind, laying the groundwork for mutually beneficial private-sector cooperation. In his remarks, Vice Minister Moon emphasized the need for Korea and Sweden to strengthen their strategic partnership grounded in pragmatism amid growing global trade uncertainty. He added, “Through this summit, the two countries should develop a practical roadmap that encompasses both sustainability and security to generate new growth momentum, and the Korean government will fully support future-oriented cooperation with Sweden.” date2025-10-16

MOTIR Minister Meets Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister to Discuss Industrial and Trade Cooperation

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Lotte Hotel Seoul to discuss key issues in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Bozumbayev was accompanied by four senior officials, including Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, and Olzhas Saparbekov, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction. Minister Kim and Deputy Prime Minister Bozumbayev recognized the close and mutually beneficial relationship that has developed between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. They agreed on the need to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, including manufacturing, plant construction, and critical mineral supply chains, amid the rapidly changing global trade environment. At the meeting, Minister Kim proposed expanding collaboration in manufacturing and raised business concerns regarding the lack of logistics infrastructure for Kia’s new operations in Kazakhstan and the circulation of counterfeit Korean home appliances. He requested the Kazakh government’s attention and support to resolve these issues promptly. On plant sector cooperation, Minister Kim called for greater participation by Korean companies in new projects and support for ongoing construction projects. Regarding critical mineral supply chains, he suggested enhancing cooperation through the establishment of the Rare Metals Technology Cooperation Center, which will be supported by MOTIR’s official development assistance (ODA) program starting in 2026. On Kazakhstan’s Alatau City development project, Minister Kim emphasized that Korea possesses advanced technologies and extensive experience in areas such as eco-friendly development, artificial intelligence, and future mobility, and expressed hope to continue close cooperation in these fields. date2025-10-16

FDI Arrivals to Korea Edge Down 2% through Q3 2025

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced today that foreign direct investment (FDI) pledges to Korea in the first three quarters of 2025 (cumulative, Jan–Sep) decreased 18.0 percent year-on-year to USD 20.7 billion, while FDI arrivals over the same period fell 2.0 percent to $11.3 billion. By type, greenfield investment pledges dropped 6.1 percent to $17.8 billion, while M&A pledges plunged 54.0 percent to $2.9 billion amid a global slowdown in large-scale acquisitions. In contrast, greenfield arrivals rose 23.0 percent to $8.2 billion. By region, FDI pledges from the United States surged 58.9 percent to $5.0 billion, driven by investments in chemicals, distribution, and ICT, while pledges from the EU, Japan, and China fell 36.6 percent, 22.8 percent, and 36.9 percent, respectively. By industry, manufacturing-sector pledges decreased 29.1 percent to $8.7 billion, with gains in transport machinery offset by declines in electrical and electronic components. Service-sector pledges dropped 6.9 percent to $11.1 billion, but investment in distribution and information and communications increased, supported by sustained interest in AI-related fields such as data centers, autonomous driving software, and robotics.   date2025-10-15

Korea’s ICT Exports Hit Record High in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Ministry of Science and ICT announced on October 15 that Korea’s exports of ICT goods in September 2025 reached an all-time high of USD 25.4 billion (up 14.0 percent year-on-year), while imports rose 10.4 percent to $13.8 billion. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $11.7 billion, the second-largest on record. Despite ongoing global trade uncertainties, ICT exports reached their highest level ever, led by record-breaking semiconductor shipments for the second consecutive month, along with stronger exports of displays and communication equipment. Semiconductor exports hit a new record as memory prices continued to rise and demand for high-value products such as DDR5 and HBM remained strong. Display exports rebounded as OLED panel applications expanded in IT devices and demand recovered for mobile phones and laptops. Communication equipment exports grew on robust demand for automotive and 5G base station components in the United States and India. Meanwhile, mobile phone exports declined due to weaker component shipments, though strong finished product exports helped offset the drop. Exports of computers and peripherals also fell, affected by last year’s surge in SSD exports. By destination, exports increased to Taiwan (up 53.5 percent), Vietnam (up 20.8 percent), the EU (up 22.8 percent), Japan (up 13.0 percent), and China including Hong Kong (up 1.1 percent), driven largely by strong semiconductor shipments. Exports to the United States, however, fell 4.0 percent for the second consecutive month. ICT imports rose 10.4 percent year-on-year to $13.8 billion, with increases in displays, mobile phones, and computers/peripherals.    date2025-10-14

Korea Reappointed to ISO Technical Management Board

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced that Korea has been reappointed to the Technical Management Board (TMB) of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) at the 47th ISO General Assembly, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 6 to 10, 2025. As a result, Korea will continue serving as a TMB member through 2028, with Professor Moon Young-Jun of KAIST representing the country in shaping ISO’s technical policy decisions. The TMB is ISO’s key decision-making body that oversees the organization’s standardization activities, including the establishment and dissolution of technical committees, coordination among committees, and appointment of committee chairs. Korea’s reappointment reflects continued international recognition of its standardization capabilities. At the General Assembly, Korea also proposed establishing a new ISO technical committee on GPS-based personal location service technologies and hosted a workshop to build support among ISO member countries. Additionally, Korea signed MOUs with standardization organizations in countries such as Canada and Italy, and invited key stakeholders to attend the upcoming International AI Standards Summit scheduled for December 2025. KATS President Kim Dae-ja stated, “With this reappointment to the ISO Technical Management Board, Korea has further solidified its influence in the field of international standardization. We will continue to demonstrate leadership within ISO and strengthen our position as a trusted leader in global standardization.” date2025-10-13

Korea Ramps Up AI Factories to Lead Global Manufacturing by 2030

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the AI Factory M.AX Alliance Strategy Meeting on October 1, 2025, bringing together leading manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to position Korea as a global leader in manufacturing AI by 2030. The number of pilot projects under the AI Factory initiative has surpassed 100, with a target of 500 by 2030. These projects integrate AI into manufacturing processes to boost productivity, reduce costs, and cut carbon emissions. Examples include Samsung Electronics using AI for semiconductor inspections, Hyundai Motor deploying AI-powered robotic arms for flexible production, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developing AI robots for ship maintenance. Humanoid robots will also begin field trials this year at six sites across the display, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors. Companies including Samsung Display, CJ Logistics, LG Electronics, and SK Energy will test robots for various tasks, with more than 100 projects planned by 2027 to collect field data and advance AI development. MOTIR will further expand the initiative to cover the entire production cycle, from factory design to supply chains and logistics. By integrating robotics, digital twins, and advanced infrastructure, Korea aims to establish fully autonomous “dark factories” and become the world’s leading exporter of AI factories by 2030. Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim emphasized, “The AI era is a race against time. By leveraging Korea’s manufacturing strengths and data, we can lead the world in AI factories. Through the M.AX Alliance, we will break down regulatory barriers, focus resources, and secure Korea’s global leadership in manufacturing AI.” date2025-10-02

Korea and UK Discuss Trade Cooperation Amid Global Trade Shifts

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo held a video conference on October 1, 2025, with Chris Bryant, the UK Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, following Minister Bryant’s request for an introductory meeting. The two sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation and addressing major trade issues under the current uncertain global trade landscape. The UK is Korea’s sixth-largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching USD 11.21 billion in 2024 under the Korea–UK FTA signed after Brexit. The UK also ranks as Korea’s third-largest European investor (cumulative as of 2024), with active mutual investment serving as a key driver of economic growth in both countries. Trade Minister Yeo congratulated Minister Bryant on his appointment and expressed hope for close communication amid the uncertain global trade environment. He also discussed ways to balance both sides’ core interests to expedite the conclusion of the Korea–UK FTA upgrade negotiations, and exchanged views on the UK’s trade issues, including recent trade and large-scale investment agreements with the US. Trade Minister Yeo further emphasized the need for measures to ease corporate burdens, such as adjusting reporting cycles, in relation to the UK’s introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). He conveyed the Korean industry’s concerns and requests regarding the UK’s strengthened steel safeguard measures and electric vehicle subsidy program, and called for cooperation and support from the UK government, along with continued bilateral consultations. date2025-10-02