Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Trade Minister chairs public-private conference to take stock of changing business landscape

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong of the Republic of Korea chaired a conference today in Seoul with related ministries, institutions, and companies on response measures for the U.S.’ shifts in trade policy regarding Mexico to take stock of the possible impact on Korean businesses operating in the local Mexican market. Home to numerous Korean automakers and car parts manufacturers, Mexico is a favorable destination for nearshoring investments as companies can benefit from duty-free trade and subsidies upon fulfilling related requirements. Meanwhile, it is projected that possible policy shifts under the new U.S. regime may considerably impact Korean businesses operating in the Mexican market. Trade Minister Cheong stated that the Korean government will make efforts to minimize business uncertainties by activating intergovernmental cooperation channels with Mexico. The ministry plans to hold further meetings to seek public-private joint measures and assess the situation through the Global Trade Strategy Meeting and other platforms.   date2024-11-22

Korea Trade Commission launches investigation on alleged patent infringement of uninterruptible power system

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea announced on November 21 during its 454th KTC meeting the decision to launch investigations on the alleged uninterruptible power system (UPS) patent infringement of Japanese supplier “A” at the request of another Japanese company TMEIC. As for investigations requested by Japanese company Semiconductor Energy Laboratory on the alleged smartphone secondary battery patent infringement by a Chinese smartphone manufacturer and a Korean importer, the KTC issued the determination that the respective respondents have not committed patent infringement. Meanwhile, the KTC overturned its previous judgment (January 20, 2017) ruling in favor of investigation requestor Infineum Korea on the alleged infringement of its patent on lubricant additives upon the patent being found invalid, determining that infringement was not committed.  At the request of camping equipment company Naturehike, the KTC has also launched investigations on a domestic camping gear importer’s alleged infringement of Naturehike’s tent and sleeping gear trademark.   date2024-11-22

Korea sets sail to lead global autonomous navigation market via public-private joint efforts

Deputy Minister for Industry Policy Lee Seung-ryeol of the Republic of Korea attended the sail away ceremony for the SHIFT-Auto, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI)’s autonomous navigation demonstration vessel, today on Geoje Island. The SHIFT-Auto is a culmination of the regulatory sandbox passed during the third meeting of the Deliberative Committee on Regulatory Exceptions for Industrial Convergence (“Committee”) in July, confirmed by the Korean government prior to the effectuation of the Act on Promoting the Development and Commercialization of Autonomous Ships (January 3, 2025) and before related procedures are established so as to enable timely industry demonstrations. The SHIFT-Auto will be demonstrating various technologies such as collision-avoidance, optimum ship routing, and low earth orbit satellite communications-based remote control. Its goal is to complete the mission instructed from land without any crew intervention. Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)’ 8,000 TEU containership also passed the Committee and started demonstrations this November, and Hanwha Ocean is set to launch its autonomous vessel demonstrations beginning next year. The demonstrations of the Korean autonomous ship system model, co-developed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), also took off in September loaded atop the 1,800 TEU containership. MOTIE plans to continue supporting these autonomous navigation demonstration opportunities gained through the regulatory sandbox, while also aiming to seamlessly back the Act on Promoting the Development and Commercialization of Autonomous Ships coming into effect next January.   date2024-11-21

Korea Industry Expo 2024 takes off at record scale in India

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced today the launching of the Korea Industry Expo 2024 (“Expo”) through November 21–23 in New Delhi, India. Held with the participation of 233 Korean companies alongside those currently operating in the local Indian market such as Hyundai Motor and LG Electronics, the Expo is Korea’s largest-scale trade show to be convened overseas by a domestic exhibition company. The expo site is the Yashobhoomi India International Convention and Expo Center (IICE), of which Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) won the 20-year operation license last year from the Indian government. It is anticipated that this will serve as an occasion to provide catered export promotion opportunities to Korean businesses. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Gyeonggi Business & Science Accelerator are supporting companies’ buyer attraction efforts to facilitate business consultations during the Expo, targeting 1,500 prospective buyer companies of India and other neighboring countries. Visitors will be able to take part in various Expo programs including kimchi making and a K-pop singing and dance contest, organized through collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center India to share the Korean culture with local citizens and promote the Expo. On the 22nd, the Korea-India Business Forum will be launched through co-organization by the Herald Media Group and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with the participation of roughly 300 persons composed of the two countries’ governments, economic groups, and business leaders. Korea’s Deputy Minister for Trade and Investment Kim Dae-ja is to give a keynote speech at the Forum under the theme of Korea and India’s path to shared economic prosperity. Deputy Minister Kim stated that an expo is the SMEs’ most favored means of export marketing and this Expo’s direct launch by a Korean exhibition firm in the mega-sized Indian market is spurring expectations of substantial export outcomes, adding that the ministry plans to actively back the domestic exhibition industry’s global market penetration by leveraging Korea’s established overseas network.   date2024-11-21

Minister Ahn discusses stronger economic cooperation with U.S.-Korea Business Council Chairman

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S.-Korea Business Council Chairman Evan Greenberg today on the occasion of Chairman Greenberg’s visit to Korea and discussed the two countries’ business and economic cooperation.  Minister Ahn noted that Korea-U.S. relations are advancing towards an economic alliance centering on semiconductors, batteries, and other high-tech industries based on mutually beneficial cooperation in areas like bilateral trade and investment and asked for the U.S.-Korea Business Council chief’s interest and support towards facilitating the two countries’ investment and cooperation in advanced industries under the new U.S. regime. Moreover, he shared the Korean government’s plans to strengthen direct and indirect communication with the U.S. government and Congress to prepare against possible shifts in the global trade landscape as well as U.S. trade policies, ensuring government-level support to invigorate discussions on measures for boosting private sector economic cooperation via business council exchanges and other channels. Chairman Greenberg replied that active efforts will be made to promote communication and cooperation between the two countries’ governments and businesses with an aim to further solidify the Korea-U.S. alliance, concurring on the importance of nurturing an environment favorable to both sides’ businesses to the end of expanding bilateral trade and investment.   date2024-11-20

Korea-Africa Trade and Industry Cooperation Forum 2024

Deputy Minister for Trade Park Jong-won of the Republic of Korea attended the Korea-Africa Trade and Industry Cooperation Forum 2024 (“Forum”) on November 19 at the Trade Tower in Seoul, the first large-scale economic cooperation event for the two sides following the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 in June, which was the first and largest multilateral summit meeting between Korea and Africa. In his congratulatory message, Deputy Minister Park stated that the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 is an invaluable culmination of Korea and Africa’s joint efforts and highlighted the importance of concretizing and developing its outcomes. Along this vein, he shared plans to actively support measures for implementation and new joint project discovery through platforms like the Public-Private Committee for Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation, while also reinforcing the institutional basis for economic cooperation via schemes such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF). The Forum convened with the participation of roughly 200 persons including Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi, ambassador-level figures of 12 African countries, business leaders, and related experts. date2024-11-20

Korea Sale FESTA promotion at CU convenience store

Industries and Enterprises Deputy Minister Oh Seung-cheol visited a CU convenience store in Seoul on November 19 to check out the discount promotion as part of Korea Sale FESTA. date2024-11-20

Trade Minister attends DEPA meeting on Peru's accession working group

Korea’s Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong attended the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) meeting on November 14 in Peru to announce the launch of the accession working group for Peru. date2024-11-20

Trade Minister attends DEPA meeting in Peru

Korea’s Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong attended the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) meeting on November 14 in Peru to discuss China’s accession progress. date2024-11-20

Trade Minister meets Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations

Korea’s Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong met Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu on margins of the 2024 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on November 14 in Peru and discussed bilateral trade issues. date2024-11-20