Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea to invest 464.5 billion won into system semiconductor segment

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on March 30 that the Korean government and industry will invest a combined 464.5 billion won into the system semiconductor segment by 2023. System semiconductors will be the key enablers of innovations of the upcoming Fourth Industrial Revolution.    A total of 264.5 billion won will be spent to research and develop low-power, ultra-light and high-speed semiconductor technologies as well as next-generation semiconductor materials a date2017-03-30

Minister Joo visits 4th International Electric Vehicle Expo

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Joo Hyunghwan (right) checked out an electric three-wheeler at the fourth International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE) held in Yeomiji Botanic Garden in Jeju Island, on March 17.  Minister Joo delivered a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the IEVE and visited the exhibition center.  Launched in 2014 in Jeju Island by the Ministry, the IEVE is the world’s only motor show exclusively for EVs. This year’s expo is held under th date2017-03-17

Auto production, sales improve in February

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on March 15 that production, domestic sales and exports of automobiles all improved in February from a year earlier, signaling a recovery in the auto sector.   Five domestic carmakers – Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, SsangYong Motor and Renault Samsung Motors – produced a total of 336,032 vehicles in February, up 9.8 percent from a year earlier on more working days in the month and higher sales at home and abroad.&nbsp date2017-03-15

Korea’s retail sales advance 8.3% in January on strong in-store sales

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on February 28 that retail sales expanded 8.3 percent in January from a year ago on strong in-store sales.   In-store sales, which account for around 70 percent of the total monthly revenues of major Korean retailers, advanced 9.3 percent in January from a year earlier while online sales grew 6 percent.    The combined revenues of three department store chains, hypermarket operators, convenient store chains and super superma date2017-02-28

MOTIE officials visit 2017 Mobile World Congress

Trade, Industry and Energy Deputy Minister for Industrial Creativity and Innovation Toh Kyung-hwan (center) visited the Korea booth set up by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency at the 2017 Mobile World Congress at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain, on February 27.  Deputy Minister Toh visited the booths of Korean companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Telecom and Innopia Technologies as well as global corporations including Amazon, Google and BMW. During t date2017-02-27

Auto sales show signs of recovery in January

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on February 16 that domestic car sales and automobile part exports inched up in January while production and exports of vehicles declined due to fewer working days in the month,    Domestic car sales showed signs of recovery, advancing 0.2 percent to 123,575 vehicles in January from a year earlier thanks to the higher sales of vehicles produced in Korea.    The sales of domestically built cars climbed up 1.2 percent to date2017-02-16

Minister Joo hosts 1st meeting of public-private committee for future of car industry

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Joo Hyunghwan (center) hosted the first meeting of the public-private Automotive Industry Development Committee on February 7 in Seoul and discussed a range of strategies for the industry, especially for future car technologies.  The Ministry launched the committee to examine complex issues facing the Korean automotive industry, which is at a turning point, and discuss mid- and long-term strategies. Minister Joo emphasized in an opening remark that for date2017-02-07

Ministry launches policy control tower for future of car industry

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on February 7 that Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Joo Hyunghwan hosted the first meeting of the public-private ``Automotive Industry Development Committee'' in Seoul and discussed a range of strategies for the industry that is at a turning point.   The Ministry launched the committee to examine complicated issues facing the Korean automotive industry and discuss mid- and long-term strategies, especially for future car technologies. date2017-02-07

Ministry announces measures to improve battery, smartphone safety

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has concluded through its own investigation that the battery problem in manufacturing processes may have caused fires in Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, it said in a press release on Monday. In its efforts to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents and to enhance protection of consumers, the Ministry will strengthen the safety rules for new technology-based lithium-ion batteries in the phrase of production and as well date2017-02-06

Vice Minister Jeong hosts discussion on development of eco-friendly, smart ships

Trade, Industry and Energy Vice Minister Jeong Marn-ki (left) hosted a meeting with representatives from the shipbuilding industry on February 1 in Seoul to discuss the direction of policy toward the development of eco-friendly and smart vessels. During the meeting, Vice Minister Jeong, industry representatives and experts from research institutes reviewed current issues in the shipbuilding industry and discussed the future policy direction for the industry in an era of the Fourth Industrial Re date2017-02-01