Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Retail Sales Figures for December 2010

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy has released its year-on-year retail sales data for the month of December. The nation’s three major department stores posted an 11.6 percent increase in sales, while the three major discount chains posted a 2.9 percent increase. An intense cold spell chilled the country in December, leading to brisk sales of apparel and heating devices at all three major department stores. Additionally, the gift-giving season at the end of the year contributed to higher sales of general goods and luxury goods. Sales were up in all categories: children’s goods and sporting items (17.5 percent), general goods (9.9 percent), women’s suits (9.5 percent), women’s casual wear (12.7 percent), men’s clothing (8.1 percent), household goods (15.3 percent), luxury goods (20.8 percent) and food (9.2 percent). With the start of the winter sports season, spending on sports items increased 7.1 percent. Spending on apparel (6.0 percent), household goods (1.9 percent), food (5.7 percent) and general goods (6.3 percent) also increased. Notably, sales of household appliances and cultural goods dropped 12.3 percent. Sales at the three major department stores increased 9.5 percent for all of 2010 compared with 2009. For the three major discount chains, the corresponding figure was 4.9 percent.     * Released by the Distribution and Logistics Division     date2011-01-25

Minister Visits Traditional Market

Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Kyunghwan lends a hand with cooking at a traditional market in Seoul on September 7. The Minister visited the market in the run-up to the Chuseok holiday to assess the cost of holiday items and find out what difficulties merchants may be experiencing. date2010-09-08

“Surion” Passes Test

Deputy Minister for Industries Cho Seok speaks at a ceremony at Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, on June 22. The event marked the successful completion of the three-month initial testing phase for Korea’s first homegrown utility helicopter, “Surion.” date2010-06-30

International Motor Show Opens in Busan

date2010-05-07

MKE Puts Former Samsung Officer at the Helm of Advanced National R&D Programs

MKE Puts Former Samsung Officer at the Helm of Advanced National R&D Programs Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Kyunghwan welcomes Hwang Chang-gyu (left), the former Samsung Electronics President, who was recently appointed to lead the Ministry’s research and development initiatives. date2010-04-23

Minister Visits Robot Factory

date2009-10-06

International LED Expo Kicks Off

International LED Expo Kicks Off Vice Minister for Industry and Technology Rim Chemin cuts a ribbon to mark the opening of the International LED Expo in Ilsan on May 20. Nearly 230 LED companies participated in the exhibition, which showcased products ranging from high-brightness chips to energy-efficient lighting units. date2009-06-02

Seoul Motor Show 2009 Opens

date2009-04-07

International Exhibition Showcases State-of-the-Art Medical Devices

Vice Minister for Industry and Technology Rim Chemin observes an exhibit at the International Exhibition on Medical Devices in Seoul on March 12. Nearly 100 lawmakers and industry representatives were present at the opening ceremony. date2009-03-13

Minister Visits LED Chip Factory

Minister of Knowledge Economy Lee Youn Ho observes the packaging process during a visit to a major LED chip manufacturing facility in Ansan on February 12. date2009-02-17