Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Sales Trends by Major Retailers in May 2015

  □ The sales by major retailers, including those of hypermarkets, department stores and convenience stores, rose from a year earlier, while those of super supermarkets fell in May 2015. □ The sales of hypermarkets and department stores increased for two consecutive months while that of convenience stores increased drastically for four consecutive months. □By product group, the sales of food, clothing, popular brands items and others increased.   date2015-06-30

Automobile Industry Trends for May 2015

    □ The volume of South Korean automobile production and exports decreased by 2.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, while domestic sales increased by 2.3%. This was attributed to recession in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Latin America, Yen and Euro depreciation, and strong sales of multi-purpose vehicles in the domestic market.   □ : Production decreased by 2.1 percent from a year earlier to 365,643 units. This fall was mainly attributable to reduced domestic sales and exports.   □ : Domestic sales increased by 2.3 percent from a year earlier to 140,538 units. This was attributable to increased demand in multi-purpose vehicles such as Tucson, Sorento, Carnival, and Tivoli.   - Sales of imported cars increased by 17.8 percent from a year earlier to 20,589 units.   □ : Exports decreased by 3.1 percent from a year earlier to 246,093 units. This was mainly attributable to weakened competitive edge due to Yen and Euro depreciation and demand contraction in emerging markets such as Russia and Latin America.   date2015-06-30

30 SMEs to receive R&D support to become global

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on June 30 that the MOTIE and SMBA have jointly singled out 30 SME's to help them become the champions of tomorrow.     Comprised of 11 medium-sized enterprises and 19 small businesses, the 30 companies posted 106.4 billion won ($ 96 million) in annual sales and averaged $ 59 million in exports. Fourteen of them are located in Seoul while the other sixteen are located in other regions.     Eleven of them are electro date2015-06-30

MOTIE Vice Minister Lee Meets with Humanoid Robot 'Hubo'

MOTIE Vice Minister Lee Meets with Humanoid Robot 'Hubo'   The MOTIE's 1st Vice Minister Lee Kwan-sup visited the Humanoid Robot Research Center (Hubo Lab) at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, South Korea, yesterday.   During the visit, VM Lee congratulated the roboticists of Team Kaist for winning a $2 million global challenge to develop a mobile robot capable of assisting humans in responding to natural and man-made disasters.   Earlier t date2015-06-25

Korean LCH and LAH to be ready by 2020 and 2022, respectively

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced on June 25 that they will develop LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) by 2020 and LAH (Light Armed Helicopter) by 2022, after signing a contract with the Korea Aerospace Industries.     According to the contract, the MOTIE will first develop the parts and helicopter for both private and military use, and then the Defense Acquisition Program Administration will modify the helicopter to be used date2015-06-25

ROK and U.S. to Cooperate in Bio Healthcare Industry

      MOTIE Minister Yoon Sang-jick attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Republic of Korea and the United States on cooperation in the bio healthcare industry in Austin, Texas, last week.   The bilateral agreement was signed by Rhee Byung-geon, Chariman of the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization, and Tom Kowalski, President and CEO of the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute (THBI). date2015-06-23

Korean companies to meet with global European companies including Benz for technology partnership

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on June 22 that Korean companies will hold talks with leading European companies such as Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo and Airbus on issues of cooperation at the 'Overseas Technology Connect for Ppuri Industries' held by the MOTIE and KOTRA on June 23 and 24 in Frankfurt, Germany.     The purpose of the event is to provide outstanding Korean companies with an opportunity to meet global companies so that they can make entry into the date2015-06-22

South Korea to Develop Electric Mini Cars by 2017

      South Korea plans to develop and commercialize electric mini vehicles by 2017 in a bid to keep up with the global race toward the micro-mobility industry for the future, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) said today.   The country's central and regional governments are spending a total of 40 billion won (US $36 million) over the three years starting from 2014 to develop these eco-friendly cars on four and three wheels, which can be customized for people in need like the elderly and handicapped.   The MOTIE is working as a team with government, academic and industry experts to study the most effect ways to improve the relevant laws and systems for the development and commercialization of electric mini vehicles as well as their industrial ecosystem. date2015-06-15

South Korea’s Team KAIST Wins 2015 DARPA Robotics Challenge with $2 Million Prize

South Korea’s Team KAIST Wins 2015 DARPA Robotics Challenge with $2 Million Prize   A team of roboticists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) won a $2 million prize challenge to develop a mobile robot capable of assisting humans in responding to natural and man-made disasters.   Team KAIST beat 24 other competing teams of university and corporate roboticists from around the world at the challenge, which was first proposed in 2012 by the Pentagon&rs date2015-06-09

MOTIE Launches Website for 3D Printing Design Sellers and Buyers

      The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) launched an internet website () this week that provides a market platform for buyers and sellers of 3D printing design files.   The MOTIE expects the new website will help build an easier and healthier distribution system for 3D printing design files, which are increasingly used in various areas such as healthcare and education.   date2015-06-04