Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Online retail sales increase 28.3 percent in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 30 that online retail sales in October increased 28.3 percent compared to the same period of last year due to greater demand for travel and concerts in the fall.Offline retailers, on the other hand, saw a decrease of 3.6 percent in sales mainly because of a base effect caused by last year’s Korean Thanksgiving Day that fell in October. This year, the Chuseok public holiday was in September.Despite the slight downturn of brick date2018-11-30

Industry Ministry and OECD host joint forum on business innovation in Seoul

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted a joint forum with the OECD on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and business innovation at COEX in Seoul on November 23.During his welcoming speech, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Legal Affairs Kim Chang-kyu (fourth from the left) introduced the Korean government’s policies related to 4IR and said he hoped that the forum with the OECD would provide suggestions to the Korean industry and trade.The forum was attended by more date2018-11-23

Minister Sung chairs meeting with automakers and auto parts suppliers

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (right) chaired a meeting with automakers and auto parts suppliers to discuss development of the industry at the Korea Auto Industries Coop. Association in Seoul on November 14.The Automobile Industry Development Committee was attended by more than forty participants from the industry and government agencies, including Korean Academy of Motor Industry President Kim Yong-jin, Hyundai Motor President Chung Jin-haeng, and Korea Fuel-Tech Corporation CE date2018-11-14

Korea’s auto exports, domestic sales, production all grow at double-digit rates in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 12 that Korea's automobile exports, domestic sales, and production in October all posted double-digit year-on-year growth rates because of more working days last month.Exports of automobiles recorded 230,086 units, up 32.2 percent from the same period last year. In terms of value, they jumped 35.7 percent to USD 3.9 billion. This is attributable to greater demand for newly launched sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and eco-friendly ca date2018-11-12

Minister Sung attends MOU signing ceremony between battery makers

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (center) attended the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Korea’s battery manufacturers that was held in Seoul on November 12.After the MOUs were signed between the three battery makers to create a fund and collaborate on research and development, Minister Sung said in his speech that the Korean government will actively support technology innovation and investment in the battery sector.The event was attended by about 10 date2018-11-12

Minister Sung discusses with Korean business leaders

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (fourth from left in the front row) had a discussion with business leaders of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the KCCI building in Seoul on November 12.The meeting was held to listen to the opinions of the industry representatives and to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors.Among the attendees were KCCI Chairman Park Yongmaan, Tong Yang Moolsan Corp. Chairman Kim Hui Yong, and LG Chem Vice Chairman Park Jin date2018-11-12

Minister Sung appreciates development of textile industry

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (left) appreciated the development of the textile industry during his speech at the commemoration ceremony of the 32nd Textile Day in Seoul on November 9.At the event, Minister Sung said that the textile and fashion industries have been one of the main drivers of Korea’s economic growth and still play a key role in the country’s economy. Minister Sung also emphasized cooperation in manufacturing higher value-added products, developing ne date2018-11-09

Vice Minister Cheong emphasizes smart use of data for customized services

Trade, Industry and Energy Vice Minister Cheong Seung-il (center) emphasized to businesses the smart use of data for customized services in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution at the Virtual Human Big Data Platform Exhibition and Forum held in the Assembly Members’ Office Building on October 30.At the forum, Vice Minister Cheong said that the big data platform project will provide new business models to small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups, leading to the creation of qu date2018-10-30

Overall retail sales grow 6.9 percent in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 30 that overall retail sales in September posted a year-on-year increase of 6.9 percent thanks to growths in both online and retail sales.Brick-and-mortar retailers saw a 6.0 percent growth in sales because of the national Chuseok holiday. Last year, the public holiday was in October.Sales of online retailers increased 8.6 percent, the smallest positive change since October 2017, due to the suspension of delivery services during Kor date2018-10-30

Korea’s annual chip exports surpass $100 billion for first time

Seoul, Korea - The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted the 11th Semiconductor Day at COEX in Seoul on October 25 to commemorate this year’s annual exports of semiconductors that surpassed $100 billion for the first time. This is an unprecedented achievement for any single export item. During his commemoration remarks at the event, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo said that this accomplishment was possible because of close public-private cooperation, as well as home date2018-10-25