Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

JD.com, China’s Largest E-Commerce Platform, Steps Up Imports of Korean Consumer Goods

Jingdong Group (JD.com, Chairman: Liu Qiangdong), China’s largest e-commerce platform, has established a dedicated purchasing subsidiary in Korea and is stepping up imports of Korean products. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA, CEO and President Kang Kyung Sung) jointly hosted the JD Kick-Off Summit 2026 with JD.com at KOTRA headquarters in Seoul on August 12, 2026. The event featured a supplier briefing on direct purchasing and business consultations.  Korea’s consumer goods exports to China peaked at approximately USD 9.3 billion in 2021 before declining throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of this year, however, exports rose 8.7 percent year on year, supported by cooperation with local distribution networks and broader access to inland markets. To sustain this growth, the government is focusing on direct purchasing as an export model. Under this model, an overseas platform imports and distributes products locally without an intermediary. For exporters, it offers higher margins and more reliable payment. For overseas retailers, it reduces the risk of counterfeit products and unauthorized distribution. Yang Qikun, Vice Chairman of JD.com Group, visited Korea following the subsidiary’s establishment. “As the Korean Wave continues worldwide, demand for K-beauty products and Korean food is expected to grow,” he said. “We will continue to expand our direct purchases of Korean products.” Around 200 Korean consumer goods companies attended the event, where they learned about JD.com’s business model and held one-on-one business consultations with JD.com buyers. A signing ceremony was also held for an export contract worth USD 1.5 million. At the ceremony, a representative of Company A said the contract enabled the company to export to China without having to manage logistics or payment collection, adding that it would focus on producing quality products to further expand its customer base in China. Kang Gam-chan, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment at MOTIR, noted that the two recent Korea-China summits had helped create favorable conditions for Korean consumer goods to enter China’s domestic market. “We will actively support Korean companies to facilitate their entry into the Chinese market through major platforms such as JD.com,” he said. date2026-08-12

MOTIR and Tajikistan Discuss Economic Cooperation Projects Ahead of Korea-Central Asia Summit

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) met with Isojon Qurbonzoda, First Deputy Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan, in Seoul on August 11, 2026. The meeting provided an opportunity for discussions on industrial and economic cooperation projects for the first Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for September 16, 2026, as well as ways to achieve tangible outcomes through cooperation in critical minerals. The two sides discussed establishing the C5+Korea Industry Ministers’ Meeting as a regular consultative channel among the industry ministers of Korea and the five Central Asian countries—Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. Discussions were also held on signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on mutually beneficial cooperation in industry and new technologies between Korea and Tajikistan, as well as ways to expand engagement and cooperation between business leaders from both countries through the Korea-Central Asia Business Summit, which will take place alongside the leaders’ summit. The talks also covered closer cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. Vice Minister Moon welcomed the inaugural Korea-Tajikistan Minerals Forum, highlighting Tajikistan’s abundant mineral resources, including gold, silver and antimony. The forum will be held in Seoul on August 12, 2026, ahead of the Korea-Central Asia Summit. Vice Minister Moon expressed hope that the forum would help identify practical projects by connecting Tajikistan’s resource potential with Korea’s expertise and technologies for mineral exploration and development, as well as Korea’s demand for minerals. The forum will bring together government officials and representatives of relevant institutions and companies from both countries to discuss critical minerals policies, opportunities for joint exploration, investment and financing and supply chain development. “Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries, with their abundant resources and growth potential, are important partners for Korea,” Vice Minister Moon said. “We will build on the initiatives discussed today to deliver tangible outcomes in the areas of industry, supply chains and critical minerals at the Korea-Central Asia Summit in September.” date2026-08-11

M.AX Delivers Tangible Results on the Factory Floor

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced the key achievements of Korea’s Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) and its plans going forward as part of its policy briefing on August 4. Korea’s manufacturing sector faces structural challenges, including a shrinking working-age population, an aging skilled workforce, and slowing growth in labor productivity and in the manufacturing sector. MOTIR is pursuing M.AX as a core strategy to combine Korea’s strengths—world-class manufacturers and high-quality factory-floor data—with AI to transform not only production processes but the full range of business operations, from product and service development to production planning, supply chain management, and inventory management. Implementation Framework: M.AX Alliance In September 2025, MOTIR launched the M.AX Alliance, a collaborative network spanning industry, government, academia, and research, with around 1,000 participating organizations, including manufacturers, AI companies, universities, and research institutes. In February 2026, the ministry added the Industrial Complex AX Division to advance regional AI transformation (AX) centered on industrial complexes, completing the Alliance’s “Best Eleven” structure of 11 divisions, including AI Factory, AI Semiconductors, and AI Robotics. Participation increased by 50 percent in the Alliance’s first eight months, to around 1,500 companies and organizations, establishing the Alliance as Korea’s flagship platform for manufacturing AX. In process-focused AX divisions such as AI Factory and AI Manufacturing Services, manufacturers and AI companies are working together to develop Korean AI models and solutions that can operate actual manufacturing processes. In product-focused divisions such as AI Robotics, Autonomous Ships, and AI Semiconductors, anchor companies, component suppliers, and AI companies are working together by sector to develop core components and demonstrate innovative products. The Industrial Complex AX Division supports AI innovation among tenant companies through collaboration between local companies and universities. MOTIR plans to develop manufacturing AX infrastructure, including AI data centers, tailored to the characteristics of regional industries and company needs, while expanding region-specific collaboration models involving local companies, universities, and research institutes. Process AX: Measurable Gains in Manufacturing M.AX is beginning to deliver measurable results at manufacturing sites in industries including semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. Through its AI Factory Flagship Project, MOTIR has supported AX at more than 170 manufacturing sites. A review of 42 sites that joined the project relatively early and have started to generate measurable results found that productivity increased by an average of 30.1 percent, while defect rates fell by an average of 15.5 percent. Individual companies are also reporting clear gains. In semiconductors, Shinhan Diamond Industrial introduced an AI-based automated inspection system for CMP disks, consumables used in wafer polishing processes, cutting quality inspection time by 33 percent. SurplusGLOBAL applied AI to its harvest process for dismantling semiconductor equipment and sorting and recovering parts, raising productivity by 66.7 percent. In the automotive sector, Asan Sungwoo Hitech introduced an autonomous, unmanned manufacturing system for EV batteries, reducing quality inspection time by 90 percent. HWASHIN introduced a predictive maintenance system for equipment used in battery case production, lowering the product defect rate by 20 percent. In shipbuilding, HD Hyundai Samho applied an AI-based autonomous welding and inspection solution to the welding and production processes for rudder trunks, key structural components that support the rudd date2026-08-05

Korea and U.S. Advance Standards Cooperation in AI and Quantum Technology

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, Administrator Daeja Kim) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that it co-hosted the 6th Korea-U.S. Standards Forum with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in Denver, Colorado, on July 31, 2026. Around 60 experts from industry, academia, and research organizations attended the forum, including representatives from ANSI, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), Microsoft, and HP, Inc. Participants discussed concrete ways to coordinate their efforts to lead international standardization in advanced technologies. Through panel discussions focused on four key areas—AI, quantum technology, future mobility, and biotechnology—experts from both countries shared updates on the latest standardization trends and discussed practical ways to establish a framework for cooperation on jointly proposing international standards and shaping the standard-setting process from an early stage. In parallel with the forum, KATS held separate bilateral meetings with NIST, ANSI, and SCC. With NIST, KATS discussed cooperation in AI and quantum technology, areas in which NIST plays a leading global role. KATS and SCC agreed to expand cooperation across critical and emerging technologies by building on their cooperation on AI pre-standardization and the implementation of their joint work plan. At their regular meeting, KATS and ANSI exchanged information on their respective national standards policies and discussed ways to expand private-sector cooperation with U.S. standards developing organizations (SDOs) and strengthen coordination within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The two sides also agreed to step up joint efforts in international standardization, expand expert exchanges in advanced technologies such as AI and quantum technology, and develop concrete action plans to translate standards cooperation into tangible outcomes. “Building on the strong trust between the national standards bodies of Korea and the United States, we will pursue practical cooperation on proposing international standards and promoting their use by industry in critical advanced technologies such as AI and quantum technology,” said KATS Administrator Daeja Kim. “We will also regularly implement action plans and facilitate expert exchanges with North American standards organizations, including ANSI, NIST, and SCC, to maximize our ability to deliver results and help Korean technologies be reflected in global standards and gain a foothold in overseas markets.”   date2026-08-04

July 2026 Exports Reach $98.89 Billion, Second-Highest on Record

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that in July 2026, Korea’s exports rose 62.8 percent year-on-year to USD 98.89 billion. Imports increased 26.5 percent to $68.56 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $30.32 billion. Exports also set a July record, the 14th consecutive month in which exports have reached an all-time high for that calendar month. Semiconductor exports rose 179 percent, while non-semiconductor exports increased 26 percent. Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, rose 69.6 percent to $4.12 billion, exceeding $4.0 billion for the third consecutive month. By item, 19 of Korea's 20 key export items posted growth. In IT, all four items recorded growth. Semiconductor exports rose 178.8 percent to $41.01 billion, topping $40.0 billion for the second consecutive month. Computer exports rose 404.0 percent to $4.79 billion, led by enterprise SSDs. Wireless communication device exports increased 51.0 percent to $1.81 billion on strong sales of premium models, while display exports rose 2.4 percent to $1.61 billion. Automobile exports rose 7.0 percent to $6.24 billion, supported by strong sales of eco-friendly vehicles and a favorable base effect. Ship exports increased 46.9 percent to $3.29 billion on higher exports of LNG carriers and tankers, posting a sixth consecutive month of growth. Petroleum product exports rose 34.1 percent to $5.68 billion as export prices increased, although export volumes fell 8.8 percent. Petrochemical exports increased 10.3 percent to $4.18 billion on higher export unit prices, while export volumes declined 9.1 percent. Steel exports rose 4.4 percent to $2.36 billion, marking a second consecutive month of growth. General machinery exports increased 5.9 percent to $4.53 billion, led by manufacturing equipment and machinery components. Electric machinery exports rose 13.9 percent to $1.79 billion, setting a record high for July. Among consumer goods, biohealth exports rose 30.4 percent to $1.57 billion, setting a record high for July. Cosmetics exports increased 37.8 percent to $1.35 billion, while agricultural and fisheries products exports rose 2.3 percent to $1.09 billion, led by instant noodles, snacks, and kimchi. Both categories set record highs for July. Household goods exports also rose 14.2 percent to $0.82 billion. By destination, exports increased in eight of Korea’s nine major markets. Exports to China rose 96.2 percent to $21.68 billion, exceeding $20.0 billion for the second consecutive month and marking nine consecutive months of growth since November 2025. Exports to the United States increased 68.7 percent to $17.43 billion, led by semiconductors, computers, electric machinery, and steel, while automobile exports remained weak. Exports to ASEAN rose 73.7 percent to $18.80 billion, setting an all-time monthly record, with strong growth in semiconductors, displays, and ships. Exports to the EU increased 55.7 percent to $9.38 billion, also setting an all-time monthly record. Exports to the Middle East rose 24.7 percent to $1.83 billion, marking the first increase since January. Imports rose 26.5 percent to $68.56 billion. Energy imports increased 50.1 percent to $14.48 billion, while non-energy imports rose 21.4 percent to $54.08 billion. Crude oil import volumes rose 7 percent and import prices climbed 44 percent, lifting crude oil imports by value 54.2 percent to $9.3 billion. Among non-energy imports, imports of semiconductor equipment rose 55.4 percent to $2.54 billion, while imports of petrochemicals increased 9.4 percent to $1.15 billion. The trade surplus reached $30.32 billion, up $23.81 billion from a year earlier and exceeding $30.0 billion for the second consecutive month. The cumulative trade surplus from January to July reached $168.0 billion, up $134.1 billion from the same period last year. MOTIR Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim said, “July e date2026-08-03

New RNA Certification Streamlines KS Process for Medium and Large Wind Turbines

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) is introducing separate Korean Industrial Standards (KS) certification for the rotor-nacelle assembly (RNA), a core component of medium and large wind turbines, to help domestic wind turbine manufacturers obtain certification more quickly. The new RNA certification is a follow-up to the plan to reform the KS certification system, announced at the Ministerial Meeting on Economic Affairs in February 2026. The reform is intended to align Korea’s certification system with the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications (IECRE). Under the current system, KS certification covers the entire wind turbine. Even when using the same RNA, any change in tower height or other specifications requires the entire turbine to be reassessed and recertified. As a result, the same RNA may undergo duplicate assessments, increasing both certification time and cost. In practice, obtaining KS certification for a medium and large wind turbine takes an average of 1,118 days, placing a substantial burden on manufacturers. To address this issue, KATS has established a separate KS certification category for RNAs. Once an RNA is certified, manufacturers can use the existing certification results even if the tower height or other specifications change. This is expected to reduce duplicate reviews and assessments, shorten certification times, and lower costs. Applications for KS certification of RNA may be submitted through the Korea Energy Agency (KEA), the designated KS certification body for medium and large wind turbines, beginning July 31, 2026. date2026-07-30

Incheon Global Campus to Build Innovation Ecosystem for Industry–Academia Collaboration

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a roundtable to promote industry–academia collaboration at Incheon Global Campus (IGC) and hosted the IGC Navigator Day 2026 on July 30, 2026, in Seoul. The event drew around 50 participants, including representatives from the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA), the industry-academic cooperation foundations of IGC’s five foreign universities, the Incheon Global Campus Foundation, and the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), as well as experts from industry, academia, and research institutions. IGC is a shared campus for foreign universities, developed in Songdo, Incheon, since 2009 to establish an education hub in Northeast Asia. It is now home to five institutions: Stony Brook University and the Fashion Institute of Technology at SUNY Korea, George Mason University Korea, Ghent University Global Campus, and the University of Utah Asia Campus. MOTIR has worked to develop IGC into a global cluster connecting industry, academia, and research institutions. A September 2020 amendment to the Industrial Education Enhancement and Industry–Academia–Research Cooperation Promotion Act allowed foreign universities to establish and operate industry-academic cooperation foundations in Korea. All five foreign universities at IGC established foundations in December 2021. The event allowed the foundations to share their achievements and challenges and discuss IGC’s future development. It also aimed to link Korean industries with talented individuals and academic achievements cultivated through global universities’ expertise, while strengthening domestic and international networks across industry, academia, and research institutions. Key programs included a keynote address by Professor Lee Kyoung-jun of Kyung Hee University titled “Turning Research into Value in the Age of AI Agents,” followed by a presentation on the Korean government’s R&D policy direction and a networking session among IGC universities. MOTIR expects the event to deepen cooperation on technology and human resources between foreign universities in Korea’s free economic zones and Korean companies. By developing industry–academia–research clusters, the ministry also aims to stimulate foreign investment, attract global companies, and thereby strengthen Korea’s competitiveness. Noting that Incheon Global Campus, Korea’s first shared campus for foreign universities, has established itself as a model success story, Director General Je Kyung Hee of the Free Economic Zone Planning Office expressed hope that it would become a leading innovation hub in Korea—a center of global technological innovation that attracts world-leading companies and drives global R&D collaboration. date2026-07-30

Major Retailer Sales Up 7.3% in First Half of 2026 and 9.5% in June 2026

2026 First Half Retailer Sales The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that total sales at 26 major retailers (15 brick-and-mortar retailers and 11 online retailers) in the first half of 2026 rose 7.3 percent year-on-year, with offline sales up 6.2 percent and online sales up 8.1 percent. The first half of 2026 saw department store sales surge on improved consumer sentiment and higher sales to foreign tourists. Convenience store sales returned to growth and online sales rose steadily, while hypermarkets and super supermarkets (SSMs) remained weak. Online sales rose 8.1 percent as consumers purchased more food online, further establishing online retail as a grocery-shopping channel. This was somewhat slower than the 14.4 percent strong growth recorded in the first half of 2025, reflecting the high comparison base.  Offline sales rose 6.2 percent, driven by gains at department stores (up 20.1 percent) and convenience stores (up 3.7 percent). In contrast, hypermarkets (down 7.3 percent) and SSMs (down 6.6 percent) remained weak. Department stores, which have been transforming into experiential retail spaces, saw sales growth surge from 0.5 percent in the first half of 2025 to 20.1 percent in the first half of 2026, as consumer sentiment improved and sales to foreign tourists increased. Convenience store sales returned to growth, rising 3.7 percent after falling 1.0 percent in the first half of 2025. The rebound was supported by the resulting base effect and the early onset of hot weather. The number of transactions also rose steadily from February 2026, indicating more frequent consumer visits. Weak sales in food, the core category for hypermarkets and SSMs, continued to weigh on both channels. Hypermarkets consequently posted their ninth consecutive quarterly decline, a streak dating to the second quarter of 2024, while SSMs recorded their fourth, dating to the third quarter of 2025. Nevertheless, the gap between offline and online sales growth narrowed, supported by the base effect from a 0.5 percent decline in the first half of 2025 and strong department store sales. Improving consumer sentiment drove broad-based growth across all product categories, including home appliances and cultural goods (up 9.7 percent), fashion and accessories (up 8.2 percent), household goods (up 6.3 percent), and food (up 5.0 percent). Premium international brands posted particularly strong growth of 30.8 percent. In the food category, online sales rose 11.0 percent, while offline sales fell 0.5 percent.   2026 June Retailer Sales In June 2026, total sales at the 26 major retailers rose 9.5 percent year-on-year, with offline sales up 6.4 percent and online sales up 11.7 percent. Sales at department stores and convenience stores rose 22.2 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively, marking the twelfth consecutive month of growth for both channels since July 2025. Hypermarket and SSM sales remained weak, falling 10.5 percent and 10.8 percent. Sales of home appliances and cultural goods surged 31.1 percent, while sales of premium international brands climbed 34.3 percent. Food sales rose 4.8 percent overall, with online sales up 11.2 percent and offline sales down 1.1 percent. Sales shares by channel were 60.4 percent for online retailers, 15.2 percent for department stores, 15.0 percent for convenience stores, 7.5 percent for hypermarkets, and 1.9 percent for SSMs.   date2026-07-29