Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea Holds K-FEZ Day 2025 to Boost Global Investment in Free Economic Zones

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) hosted K-FEZ Day 2025 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Thursday, September 4, to expand global investment in Korean Free Economic Zones (KFEZs). The event drew nearly 240 participants, including members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from foreign chambers of commerce, and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in Korea. It served as a platform to promote the investment appeal and future growth visions of KFEZs by highlighting strategic industries within the zones, the Korean government’s AI policy and outlook, and success stories from FIEs. The Korean government’s key policy initiatives include stimulating investment through regulatory innovation; fostering cutting-edge technologies and future industries; and establishing an investment environment that meets global standards. Accordingly, KFEZs are being developed into clusters for future high-tech industries, such as semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, bio, and clean energy, while offering new investment opportunities to global investors. Speaking at the event, Industries and Enterprises Deputy Minister Oh Seung-cheol stated, “Korea strives to establish an open and reliable investment environment where global businesses can invest with confidence, leveraging our world-class manufacturing competitiveness and exceptional human resources.” He also called for continued interest in KFEZs as major economic hubs and encouraged active promotion of these zones to potential investors. K-FEZ Day 2025 marks the second consecutive year for the event. MOTIE plans to continue leveraging its network with the diplomatic corps and global companies to develop tailored promotional strategies, positioning KFEZs as both Korea’s premier investment hubs and global innovation clusters. date2025-09-05

Korea’s Trade Minister Discusses Economic Cooperation and Trade Issues with UK Counterpart

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with the UK’s Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander in Seoul on September 1. The two sides exchanged views on industrial and trade policy directions in the current global trade environment and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation. The UK is Korea’s 25th-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling $11.2 billion in 2024. Since the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in January 2011, trade between the two countries has remained strong. The UK is also one of Korea’s major investment partners, ranking 3rd among European countries in cumulative investment in Korea as of 2024. Active investment and technological partnerships between companies from both countries serve as the foundation for bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Trade Minister Yeo confirmed active industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries, citing ongoing Korea-UK FTA upgrade negotiations and supply chain dialogues. He emphasized the importance of building on shared values, such as liberal democracy and the market economy, to sustain a strong economic partnership. Furthermore, he expressed hope that the UK’s industrial and trade strategies announced in June would further strengthen bilateral ties. Regarding the introduction of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Trade Minister Yeo highlighted the need for sufficient preparation time and measures to ease burdens on businesses. He also requested the UK government to support Korean companies in adapting to recently strengthened steel safeguard measures and the Electric Car Grant system. date2025-09-03

Korea’s Exports Rise 1.3% in August

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on September 1 that Korea’s exports in August 2025 grew 1.3 percent year-on-year to USD 58.4 billion, while imports fell 4.0 percent to $51.9 billion. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $6.5 billion. Daily average exports for the month, factoring in the number of working days, also rose 5.8 percent to $2.6 billion. Despite having one fewer working day than a year earlier, August exports maintained an upward trajectory and set a monthly record for the third consecutive month. Of Korea’s 15 major export categories, three posted growth in August. Semiconductor exports surged 27.1 percent to $15.1 billion, setting a new all-time high just two months after the previous record. This growth was driven by rising contract prices and sustained global demand from downstream industries, such as the server market. Automobile exports rose 8.6 percent to $5.5 billion for the third consecutive month, supported by increased exports of used cars and eco-friendly vehicles, including electric and hybrid models. Ship exports grew for the sixth straight month (up 11.8 percent to $3.1 billion), fueled by deliveries of vessels ordered in 2022 and 2023. By region, exports increased in three out of nine major markets. Exports to ASEAN climbed 11.9 percent to $10.9 billion, the highest August figure on record and the third straight month of growth, driven by strong performance in semiconductors and ships. Exports to CIS countries (up 9.2 percent to $1.1 billion) grew for the sixth consecutive month, while those to the Middle East edged up 1.0 percent to $1.4 billion, returning to positive growth after one month. MOTIE Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated, “To minimize tariff impacts on small- and mid-sized companies, the ministry plans to announce and implement supportive measures in early September, focusing on three areas: ①easing burdens through short-term operation assistance and boosting domestic demand, ②diversifying export markets to sustain momentum, and ③strengthening the fundamental competitiveness of core and promising industries.” date2025-09-02

Korea Trade Commission Recommends Price Undertakings for Chinese Hot-rolled Steel Plates

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held its 463rd KTC meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, to deliberate and resolve one anti-dumping investigation and four intellectual property (IP) infringement investigations related to exports and imports. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of a new anti-dumping investigation. The deliberated anti-dumping case was launched in October 2024 against Chinese hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel plate imports. The KTC made a determination that dumped imports of these products caused material injury to the domestic industry. While calculating final anti-dumping duties at 27.91 to 34.10 percent for a five-year period, the KTC recommended that the Minister of Economy and Finance accept price undertakings proposed by nine Chinese exporters. Like anti-dumping duties, price undertakings serve as a trade remedy for domestic industries. This protective measure allows exporters to voluntarily set an initial minimum export price and quarterly price adjustment methods, and if violated, anti-dumping duties may be imposed. For Chinese exporters that did not suggest price undertakings, the KTC decided to recommend a five-year anti-dumping duty of 34.10 percent to the Minister of Economy and Finance. Currently, provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 27.91 to 38.02 percent are in effect for Chinese hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel plates (from April 24 to November 23, 2025). Of the four IP infringement investigations, three were found to constitute unfair trade practices, with respondents determined to have infringed the applicants’ rights. These cases included investigations into interlayers for head-up displays (launched in September 2024), uninterruptible power supply systems (launched in October 2024), and designs for fishing clamps (launched in January 2025). The KTC imposed corrective measures, including orders to halt manufacturing and export of the infringing goods, exclusion from import, and fines. Notably, the head-up display interlayer and uninterruptible power supply cases were investigations where the KTC adjudicated IP disputes between foreign companies, demonstrating the KTC’s potential to emerge as a global venue for IP dispute resolution. This reflects growing recognition of the KTC’s swift and impartial processes compared to traditional litigation. Meanwhile, the investigation into infringement of standard essential patents for connected cars, launched in December 2024, was concluded after the parties reached a licensing agreement. As the investigation process helped clarify contentious issues between the parties, their negotiations accelerated, ultimately leading to withdrawal of the complaint and termination of the investigation. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into polyvinyl chloride paste resin from Germany, France, Norway, and Sweden. The KTC will continue to systematically respond to the shifting global trade environment and address unfair trade practices, such as dumping and IP infringement. date2025-09-01

Trade Minister Meets U.S. Trade Representative

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on July 25 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to discuss ways to advance bilateral tariff negotiations. date2025-07-28

Minister Meets Chair of White House Energy Council

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with White House National Energy Council Chair Doug Burgum on July 24 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to explore measures to deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. date2025-07-28

Minister Meets U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on July 24 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to discuss progress in bilateral tariff negotiations and ways to enhance industrial cooperation. date2025-07-28

KTC Recommends Provisional Anti-Dumping Duties on Hot-Rolled Products from Japan and China

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held its 462nd session today to review two anti-dumping cases and two patent infringement cases in international trade, and received a report on one newly initiated patent infringement investigation. The KTC examined ongoing anti-dumping investigations launched in March this year on hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel products from Japan and China, as well as single-mode optical fiber from China. The KTC issued preliminary determinations confirming dumping in both cases and found that the dumped imports caused material injury to the Korean industry. To prevent further damage during the ongoing investigations, the KTC decided to recommend to the Korea’s economy and finance minister the imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties of between 28.16% and 33.57% for Japanese and Chinese hot-rolled products, and of 43.35% for Chinese single-mode optical fiber. Regarding patent-related trade cases, the KTC revisited a complaint filed by Wyeth LLC concerning alleged infringement of its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine patent. Although the KTC initially ruled in February 2024 that the respondent had infringed the patent, a recent administrative court ruling overturned that decision. Accordingly, the KTC issued a redetermination in line with the court’s ruling for non-infringement. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of a new investigation filed in June 2025 by Korean company Value Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. concerning patent infringement regarding connected electric vehicles. date2025-07-25

FICs and Research Institutions Partner for R&D and Technology Sharing

Director General for Investment Policy Ryu Peob-min attended a technology exchange today at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) between 10 foreign-invested companies (FICs) and 15 domestic public research institutions, held with an aim to foster Korea’s innovation ecosystem by leveraging the R&D capabilities of global FICs. Director General Ryu stated that the ministry plans to launch joint programs involving public research institutions for the establishment of a global R&D center for FICs with leading technologies, while pushing to expand exclusive R&D initiatives for FICs to promote the active participation of global corporations.     date2025-07-15

FICs and Domestic Research Institutions Partner for R&D and Technology Sharing

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) hosted a technology exchange today at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) between foreign-invested companies (FICs) and domestic public research institutions with an aim to foster Korea’s innovation ecosystem by leveraging the R&D capabilities of global FICs. Launched with the participation of 10 FICs and 15 domestic research institutions, the exchange was first proposed by FICs during the Global Foreign Investment Company and Public Institution Roundtable held in May, with the goal of building an R&D cooperation system through technology exchange with the public institutions’ top researchers. At today’s exchange, participants took stock of technological progress in advanced industries, shared recent development trends, and explored future collaboration opportunities. MOTIE is in the process of pursuing supportive policies, such as expanding cash incentives linked to exclusive R&D projects for FICs and improving regulations, to attract investments for the establishment of a major global business R&D center to facilitate continued investment from FICs’ parent companies and catalyze the transfer of leading technologies currently unavailable in Korea.  At today’s exchange, FICs and public institutions engaged in not only technology sharing, but also in one-on-one consultations to identify potential joint projects and discussed tangible cooperative measures. Director General for Investment Policy Ryu Peob-min stated that the ministry plans to launch joint programs involving public research institutions for the establishment of a global R&D center for FICs with leading technologies, while pushing to expand exclusive R&D initiatives for FICs to promote the active participation of global corporations.   date2025-07-15