Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

M.AX Alliance for Autonomous Ships Enters Full Operation: MOTIR and MOF Join Hands with Shipbuilding and Shipping Industries in a “2+2 Partnership”

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Acting Minister Kim Sung-bum) jointly held the Strategic Meeting of the M.AX Alliance for Autonomous Ships on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Lotte Hotel Seoul. The meeting brought together approximately 100 participants from around 50 organizations, including shipbuilders, shipping companies, AI firms such as Naver and KT, universities, and research institutes. The meeting was particularly significant, as it marked the first time that key policymakers and industry leaders from Korea’s shipbuilding and shipping sectors convened to discuss a shared vision for the future of the maritime industry. Official Launch of the M.AX (Manufacturing AX) Alliance for Autonomous Ships Autonomous ships are emerging as a key strategic sector for the global shipbuilding and shipping industries as they confront structural shifts driven by tighter carbon-neutrality regulations, higher maritime safety standards, changes in seafaring workforce structures, and intensifying competition from rival countries. While MOTIR and MOF have made substantial progress under Phase I of the Autonomous Ship Technology Development initiative—including successful trials on international shipping routes—acquiring and sharing real-world demonstration data is now an essential priority for Phase II development. This industry consensus led to the launch of the Alliance, which brings together the shipbuilding, shipping, and AI industries to develop a shared data foundation and establish a cooperative demonstration framework. Securing a larger volume of demonstration data is critical to achieving technological leadership ahead of the establishment of International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards around 2030. At the meeting, the Alliance presented its vision based on three core pillars: Speed, Engagement, and Alliance (S.E.A.). “Speed” reflects the commitment to rapidly develop and demonstrate autonomous ship technologies ahead of international standards. “Engagement” emphasizes the Alliance’s role as an industrial cooperation platform that organically integrates shipbuilding and shipping, large enterprises and SMEs, and the public and private sectors. “Alliance” focuses on shared growth, ensuring that outcomes generated within the Alliance benefit the broader industrial ecosystem. During the event, the Korea Planning and Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) signed a memorandum of understanding to foster an AI-based autonomous ship ecosystem. By bringing together design and sea-trial data from shipbuilders, operational data accumulated by shipping companies, and algorithmic and data processing capabilities from AI firms, the Alliance will enhance the reliability and technical maturity of AI-enabled autonomous navigation systems. Looking ahead, MOTIR and MOF will launch demonstration projects in 2026 to build the world’s largest public dataset for AI training in autonomous ship technologies, while advancing a project to develop AI-enabled, fully autonomous ships. The Alliance will discuss concrete measures regarding the scope, methods, and targets of data collection, with the outcomes reflected in government-supported programs. The outputs will then be standardized, integrated into platforms, and converted into public datasets for broader industry use. The ministries will continue to support these efforts through data sharing, demonstration support, and regulatory improvements. Full-Scale Cooperation Between Korea’s Shipbuilding and Shipping Industries The Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA) and the Korea Shipowners’ Association (KSA) signed an agreement to promote shared growth between the shipbuilding and shipping industries. The agreement includes p date2025-12-29

Korea Launches “K-Chemistry Roadmap 2030” to Drive a New Leap Forward for Korea’s Chemical Industry

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held an inauguration ceremony for the Chemical Industry Innovation Alliance and unveiled the “K-Chemistry Next-Generation Technology Innovation Roadmap 2030” on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Lotte Hotel Seoul. The event was attended by approximately 150 participants, including representatives from local governments, industry, academia, and research institutions. The launch of the Alliance and the announcement of the Roadmap underscore the urgent need to strengthen the chemical industry’s future competitiveness through both the rationalization of production facilities and a shift from commodity materials to high value-added specialty products. Notably, the Roadmap adopts a “one-team” approach, moving away from fragmented, material-by-material R&D and instead supporting the entire chemical industry value chain—from feedstocks and materials to applications and end demand—by linking it with downstream demand industries such as semiconductors and future mobility. As reiterated at the petrochemical industry meeting held the previous day, the government will give priority to companies participating in business restructuring when providing R&D support. The “K-Chemistry Next-Generation Technology Innovation Roadmap 2030” outlines implementation strategies aimed at elevating Korea’s chemical industry from fifth to fourth place globally by 2030. The Roadmap seeks to advance R&D and infrastructure to secure core materials and process technologies based on three pillars: high value-added transformation, eco-friendly transformation, and strengthened responses to global environmental regulations. To promote the adoption of M.AX within the K-Chemistry industry, the government will support AI-driven technology development and the establishment of foundational infrastructure across all stages of material design and manufacturing processes. The Roadmap includes plans to establish autonomous experimentation systems integrating AI with automated equipment to shorten new material development timelines, as well as to implement intelligent process control systems that apply AI across every stage of production—from raw material input through polymerization, separation, post-processing, and fabrication—to optimize process conditions and minimize energy consumption in real time. The Roadmap was developed over six months with the participation of more than 80 domestic experts in technology identification and capability assessment. Following reviews by R&D leaders at petrochemical companies, 217 viable component technologies were selected. These technologies will be classified into four categories based on market potential and technological maturity, followed by tailored support measures. Based on the Roadmap, MOTIR plans to design projects through the Alliance and launch large-scale R&D programs in the first quarter of next year. The newly established Chemical Industry Innovation Alliance will serve as both the command center and implementation engine, operating as a collaborative model that spans the entire value chain—from feedstocks and materials to applications and end demand. The Alliance will also coordinate nine flagship projects across nine key sectors, including semiconductors and future mobility. Under this framework, demand-side anchor companies will specify performance requirements for key materials, while ecosystem participants—including SMEs at the feedstock, material, and application stages—will form consortia to develop technologies that meet those requirements and link them to commercialization. Park Dong-il, Director General for Industrial Policy, noted that “petrochemical companies submitted their restructuring plans on December 19 and reaffirmed their commitment to full-scale implementation at a minister-chaired meeting date2025-12-23

Sixteen Companies from Three Petrochemical Complexes Submit Business Restructuring Plans, Marking the First Step of Structural Reform

All 16 petrochemical companies operating naphtha cracking centers (NCCs) and propane dehydrogenation (PDH) facilities across three petrochemical complexes in Yeosu, Daesan, and Ulsan submitted draft business restructuring plans by December 19, in line with the end-of-December deadline set out in the government’s August roadmap to revitalize the petrochemical industry.  Following the submission of business restructuring plans as part of the first phase of structural reform, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) chaired a meeting with the petrochemical industry at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on December 22. The meeting was convened to gather industry feedback on the submitted restructuring plans and to support their prompt implementation. Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim stated, “The timely submission of restructuring plans by all companies puts the industry on track to meet its voluntary capacity reduction target of between 2.7 and 3.7 million tons, provided the plans are fully implemented.” He emphasized that “structural reform must move forward at a faster pace starting next year to deliver tangible results” and urged companies to “promptly finalize their business restructuring plans based on the drafts.” Once companies submit their final plans, MOTIR will review them for approval through a dedicated Business Restructuring Review Committee. Upon approval, the ministry will announce a comprehensive support package—covering finance, tax incentives, R&D, and regulatory easing—to facilitate implementation. To support the shift toward higher value-added production, the Chemical Industry Innovation Alliance will be launched on December 23, 2025. The Alliance will bring together all key stakeholders across the chemical industry ecosystem—including demand-anchor companies, small and medium-sized chemical firms, academia, and research institutions—and will serve as a collaborative platform to explore R&D programs and infrastructure support measures for core materials, with a view to advancing the industry’s core sectors and accelerating its transition toward more environmentally sustainable production. In advancing these R&D efforts, the government will give priority to the R&D needs of companies participating in the restructuring. The meeting also discussed the “Daesan Project No. 1,” for which HD and Lotte applied for restructuring approval on November 26, 2025. The project is currently undergoing preliminary review, with approval targeted for January next year, and the government’s support package has entered its final review stage. Creditor financial institutions are also coordinating and finalizing financial support measures based on ongoing due diligence. Minister Kim assessed that “despite a tight schedule, all companies had submitted their draft restructuring plans by the end-of-December deadline set at the August ministerial meeting on strengthening industrial competitiveness, marking a solid start to structural reform.” He added that “while this year focused on laying the strategic groundwork for reform, next year will be decisive in determining its success through execution,” and stressed that “the government and industry will work together as one team toward the successful restructuring of the petrochemical sector.” Minister Kim also emphasized that “the government will pay close attention to potential challenges affecting regional SMEs and employment during the restructuring process,” and added that “a comprehensive support plan for the chemical industry ecosystem will be announced in the first half of next year. date2025-12-23

MOTIR Holds Public Hearing to Gather Stakeholder Input on Advancing the Korea–Egypt CEPA

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) convened a public hearing on Monday, December 22, at Conrad Seoul to gather stakeholder views on advancing the Korea–Egypt Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Building on the Trade and Economic Partnership MOU signed with Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade in 2022, MOTIR has jointly conducted a feasibility study to support advancing a Korea–Egypt CEPA. During the Korea–Egypt summit held in November, the two countries agreed to pursue a CEPA as an institutional framework to expand bilateral trade and investment, as well as to strengthen cooperation across diverse areas, including supply chains, the digital sector, and energy. The two sides have since accelerated related procedures, such as concluding the joint economic feasibility study. The public hearing brought together Korean companies operating in Egypt, the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and regional experts, who shared views on the expected effects of the Korea–Egypt CEPA and key considerations. One expert panel noted that “advancing a CEPA with Egypt—a key economy in North Africa and a logistics hub anchored by the Suez Canal—carries significant strategic importance, particularly in terms of expanding into emerging export markets amid rapidly shifting global trade conditions.” MOTIR will establish a negotiation roadmap for a Korea–Egypt CEPA by reflecting feedback gathered at the public hearing and will continue domestic and international consultations to facilitate the early launch of negotiations. date2025-12-22

Korea Reaches $66.0 Billion in January–November Auto Exports

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced on December 21 that Korea’s cumulative automobile exports for January–November 2025 reached an all-time high of USD 66.0 billion. With exports continuing at the current pace, total automobile exports in 2025 are expected to surpass the previous annual record of $70.9 billion set in 2023.  November automobile exports increased 13.7 percent year-on-year to $6.4 billion, marking the second-highest November figure on record. Eco-friendly vehicle exports totaled 78,000 units, with export value rising 26.3 percent year-on-year to $2.3 billion. Hybrid vehicles accounted for 69 percent of total eco-friendly vehicle exports, at 54,000 units, and 67 percent of export value, at $1.6 billion. On a cumulative basis, hybrid vehicle exports for January–November surpassed 500,000 units, up 27 percent year-on-year. Domestic automobile sales reached 146,000 units in November. Domestically produced vehicle sales declined 5.2 percent year-on-year to 115,000 units, while imported vehicle sales increased 18.2 percent to 31,000 units. Eco-friendly vehicle sales rose year-on-year for 21 consecutive months, totaling 71,000 units and accounting for 48.4 percent of total monthly domestic sales. By type, this included 51,000 hybrid vehicles, 18,000 EVs, 1,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles, and 1,000 hydrogen vehicles. Notably, cumulative domestic EV sales for January–November reached a record high of 207,000 units, up 52.2 percent year-on-year, driven by strong domestic EV demand. This figure has already surpassed the previous annual record of 158,000 units set in 2023. Automobile exports to all regions increased year-on-year in November. Domestic automobile production rose 2.9 percent year-on-year to 354,000 units, largely reflecting a base effect from production disruptions caused by heavy snowfall in the Seoul metropolitan area in November 2024. Cumulative automobile production for January–November totaled 3.74 million units. If current trends continue, Korea is expected to exceed 4 million units in annual production for the third consecutive year. With uncertainties eased following the conclusion of the Korea–United States tariff negotiations, MOTIR will continue to strengthen support for the domestic automobile industry’s growth next year. The ministry will promote the development of AI-based autonomous driving technologies, expand production, investment, and R&D in eco-friendly vehicles, and address export-related challenges. date2025-12-22

Republic of Korea and Japan Strengthen Collaboration on Critical Mineral Supply Chains

The Republic of Korea and Japan are accelerating cooperation to stabilize sustainable supply chains between producer and consumer countries, amid growing instability in the global supply chain for critical minerals. In line with these efforts, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (hereinafter ‘MOTIR’) held the ‘2nd ROK-Japan Mineral Resources Cooperation Dialogue’ with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (hereinafter ‘METI') at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on December 17. Korea and Japan have developed similar industrial frameworks that are focused on advanced manufacturing sectors, such as semiconductors, batteries, and materials and components. Both countries are significant consumers of critical minerals and, as such, rely substantially on imports to fulfill their domestic requirements. In light of the recent segmentation of critical mineral supply chains—particularly between the United States and China—and the enhanced collaboration among producing countries, there is growing recognition of the importance of fostering international cooperation that reflects the perspectives and interests of consuming countries. In celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, both countries have recognized the importance of securing global critical mineral supply chains as a pivotal area for collaboration. In this spirit, they convened the inaugural ROK-Japan Mineral Resources Cooperation Dialogue in February of this year, reaffirming their commitment to joint efforts in this essential sector. At that time, the two countries discussed comprehensive cooperation measures, including △joint procurement of critical minerals and △stockpiling cooperation, and agreed to hold this dialogue regularly. Since then, both countries have jointly responded to policy uncertainties by continuing engagements including bilateral meetings on the sidelines of multilateral conferences. This second meeting was arranged as a follow-up to review the outcomes of cooperation over the past year and to deepen collaboration further. At this meeting, the two countries focused on discussing: △ Responding to low copper TC/RC situation, △ Strengthening cooperation within multilateral consultative bodies such as the G7 and the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), and △ Exploring ways to initiate joint critical mineral development and production projects in third country destinations. A particularly noteworthy aspect of the discussion was the recent rise in copper prices alongside the prevailing instability in the supply of copper concentrate. Both countries underscored the importance of strengthening their collaboration and establishing tangible measures to stabilize global copper supply while promoting sustainable co-prosperity between mining operations and smelters. MOTIR stands ready to facilitate ROK-Japan joint projects, particularly in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, where Korean companies can either expand their engagement or enter into new projects. MOTIR aims further to enhance cooperation with Japan and other like-minded countries to establish a more stable supply chain for critical minerals. It will also actively pursue collaborative models that allow both producing and consuming countries to thrive together in the global critical minerals market. date2025-12-18

Korea and the EU Launch Efforts to Operationalize Supply Chain and Economic Security Partnership

Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim), met with Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, in Seoul on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. As the EU’s top trade enforcement official, Deputy Director-General Redonnet oversees key trade agendas, including free trade agreements, trade remedies, and economic security. The meeting followed the December 2, 2025 talks between Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič. It focused on implementing the Korea–EU Next Generation Strategic Dialogue agreed during those talks, as well as strengthening cooperation on economic security, supply chains, and technology. Deputy Minister Park noted that growing protectionism, intensifying technological competition, and disruptions in global supply chains are increasing uncertainty in the global economy. He stated that economic security alliances and strategic coordination among like-minded countries are emerging as key drivers of competitiveness. While underscoring that Korea and the EU have built their partnership on free trade, he emphasized the need to further strengthen cooperation to develop the bilateral partnership into a future-oriented one encompassing economic security and advanced industries. Against this backdrop, the two sides welcomed the elevation of the ministerial-level Korea–EU FTA Trade Committee, which previously focused on goods and services, into the Next Generation Strategic Dialogue on Trade, Supply Chains, and Technology, as agreed during the trade ministers’ meeting on December 2, 2025. They shared the view that this dialogue framework would enable more comprehensive and higher-level cooperation and agreed to work closely toward holding its first meeting in the first half of 2026. The Korean side also conveyed the concerns and requests of Korean companies regarding key industrial issues, including steel, nuclear power, and batteries, and called for the EU’s active cooperation. On steel, Korea expressed concerns over the EU’s plan to introduce new steel import measures and emphasized the need to secure sufficient export allocation for Korean steel products. Regarding the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) investigation related to the Czech nuclear power project, the Korean side emphasized that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was selected through a transparent and fair bidding process in compliance with EU rules and reaffirmed that no subsidies inconsistent with market principles were provided, requesting that the investigation be conducted fairly and reasonably. On batteries, Korea requested that the EU support expanding demand for EV and ESS batteries produced within the EU, consider including the battery industry in the Energy Intensive Industry sector, and advance the delayed follow-up legislation under the Battery Regulation promptly and predictably. The Korean side also welcomed the European Commission’s efforts to simplify the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and noted that recent revisions reflected Korea’s concerns, including the partial easing of certification requirements and the introduction of exemption criteria for SMEs. It called for continued bilateral communication to ensure that the mechanism becomes more reasonable and predictable. Following the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish a standing communication channel on key trade issues to ensure that the Korea–EU Next Generation Strategic Dialogue delivers tangible outcomes.. date2025-12-18

MOTIR Discusses Measures to Expand Industrial Cooperation Following the UAE State Visit

Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) met with Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), in Seoul on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to discuss measures to expand industrial cooperation aimed at translating the economic outcomes of the recent Korea–UAE summit into concrete projects. The meeting followed the first round of industrial ministers’ talks held in Abu Dhabi in November 2025 and was convened during Minister Al Jaber’s visit to Korea this week. The two sides exchanged views on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including collaboration on AI data centers, joint oil stockpiling, and broader engagement across the oil and gas industry. Noting that Korea and the UAE agreed to work together on the Stargate UAE Project—which aims to build a next-generation, large-scale AI data center in Abu Dhabi—the ministers discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in advanced industries through the project. Minister Kim explained that MOTIR is coordinating with relevant ministries on follow-up initiatives with the UAE in new industries. He emphasized that bilateral cooperation could help accelerate development of the UAE’s AI infrastructure, as Korea has a broad base of competitive companies across semiconductors; data center construction and operation; cooling technologies; engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC); and power generation. To facilitate smooth implementation, he also requested that the UAE provide more detailed information on the Stargate UAE Project and support discussions between companies from both sides. The two ministers also recognized that the Korea–UAE joint oil stockpiling project, which has been under way since 2013, represents a model case of bilateral energy cooperation. They assessed that the project is mutually beneficial, as Korea enhances its emergency oil supply capacity through priority purchase rights for stored crude oil, while the UAE establishes a strategic base for responding to oil demand in Northeast Asia. Accordingly, the two sides agreed to continue discussions on cooperation measures, including expanding the scale of joint stockpiling, to strengthen energy supply chain stability. Both sides reaffirmed that trade and investment in the oil and gas sector remain a core pillar of bilateral economic cooperation. Minister Kim highlighted that in the upstream sector, the Korea National Oil Corporation and GS Energy are successfully implementing oilfield development projects with ADNOC in the UAE, while in the downstream sector, large-scale joint projects are being advanced in areas such as plant construction, petrochemicals, and shipbuilding. They acknowledged that collaboration in the oil and gas sector has contributed significantly to bilateral economic development and agreed to continue working together to expand business outcomes. MOTIR noted that the meeting provided an opportunity to translate the outcomes of the Korea–UAE summit into concrete industrial cooperation projects. Going forward, the ministry plans to activate high-level consultation channels with the UAE and pursue follow-up measures to ensure that substantive cooperation continues to deepen in strategic industries, including AI data centers and across the full value chain of the oil and gas industry. date2025-12-18