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Industry
Automobile exports in April jump 52.8% despite global automotive semiconductor shortage
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on May 14 that Korea’s automobile output and exports in April rose 11.8 percent and 52.8 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, domestic sales shrank 3.8 percent. Total output by Korea’s automobile industry in April went up 11.8 percent to 323,644 units despite the global automotive semiconductor shortage. Domestic sales edged down 3.8 percent to 161,097 units, which was partly attributable to the decrease in the special consumption date2021-05-14
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Industry
Korea, Israel vow to expand R&D cooperation
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Moon Sung-wook (right) met with his Israeli counterpart Amir Peretz in Seoul, on May 12, to fully revise the Korea-Israel Technological Cooperation Treaty, originally signed in 1999. Under the revision, each country will double the annual spending on joint R&D projects from USD 2 million to $4 million, raise the ceiling for government support from 50 percent to 70 percent, encourage participation of research institutes and universities, and expand date2021-05-13
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Industry
Minister Moon attends Automobile Day Commemoration Event
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Moon Sung-wook attended the 18th Automobile Day Commemoration Event at Seoul Automobile Center, on May 12, and delivered congratulatory remarks. Minister Moon said that the government will strengthen policy support for the transition to future cars as it is the key task in realizing the 2050 carbon neutral goals and securing competitiveness for Korea’s automobile industry. date2021-05-12
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Industry
Amendments to the 「Enforcement Decree of the Environment-friendly Vehicles Act」approved at Cabinet Meeting
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that the government has approved amendments to the “Enforcement Decree of the Act on Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-friendly Motor Vehicles” during a cabinet meeting on April 27. The revisions mean that ① public institutions will be required to purchase only environment-friendly vehicles (current requirements are 70% of all vehicles), and ② parking electric vehicles (EVs) at standard charging stations date2021-04-30
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Industry
Minister Sung visits local producer of ceramic heaters under government R&D program
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (left) made an on-site visit to the plant of MiCo Ceramics, a local supplier of ceramic materials and parts used in the semiconductor manufacturing process, in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, on April 28. The government came up with the R&D program for materials, parts and equipment on August 5, 2019, to ensure a stable supply of core materials for Korea’s major industries, one month after Japan’s announcement of export restrictions agai date2021-04-28
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Industry
Korea’s retail sales move up 18.5% in March
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on April 26 that Korea’s overall retail sales in March saw a year-on-year growth of 18.5 percent. Sales at both offline and online retailers increased, up 21.7 percent and 15.2 percent, respectively. The Ministry releases monthly retail sales figures based on surveys of 26 major retailers. Half of them are physical retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, and four “super date2021-04-27
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Industry
Minister Sung visits secondary battery materials supplier
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (third from the right) made an on-site visit to the plant of POSCO Chemical, a local supplier of secondary battery anode and cathode materials in Sejong, on April 26, and encouraged frontline industry workers. In the first half of the year, the Ministry will come up with a development strategy for the secondary battery industry that consists of plans to boost technological development, nurture professional manpower, and build infrastructure. date2021-04-26
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Industry
Government to strengthen franchise industry’s innovative capacity
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (center) attended the launching ceremony for a committee aimed at expanding the franchise industry’s innovative strength and foundation for sustainable growth at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, on April 26.The government announced a plan to improve the franchise industry’s competitiveness through innovation, upgrade the industrial structure through industry diversification, seek balanced development, and promote globalization of franchi date2021-04-26
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Industry
Industry Ministry announces plan to promote development of root industry
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (second from the left) made an on-site visit to Frontec, a local root company specializing in transactions of materials processing, in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, on April 22, and announced the 2021 plan for the development of the root industry. The government plans to invest a total of KRW 158.6 billion (USD 142 million) this year to boost digitalization across the root industry, support high value-added development, strengthen global comp date2021-04-22
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Industry
Industry Ministry holds Industrial Technology Future Forum
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the Industrial Technology Future Forum, co-organized by the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee in Seoul, on April 22, for an in-depth discussion on response strategies to rapidly changing industrial trends such as digital transformation and carbon neutrality. In his opening remarks, Minister Sung highlighted the need for a strategic approach to industrial technology in order to enhance innovative performance based on Kor date2021-04-22