Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

South Korea, Canada discuss joint response to US auto tariffs

Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong (right) and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland discussed ways to cooperate against the U.S. Section 232 investigations into auto and auto parts imports in Canada on July 18.    Both Ministers agreed that the two countries, both of which are allied with the U.S. and have a trade pact with the U.S., should be exempted from possible new security-based tariffs. In addition, the officials underlined the need for joint actions against grow date2018-07-19

Trade Minister exchanges views with advisors on trade issues

Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong (center) hosted a meeting with advisors for trade issues in the private sector to discuss a strategic approach to key trade issues facing Korea in Seoul on July 16.   Key issues brought to the table ranged from the government’s response to the U.S.-China trade tensions to the U.S. Section 232 probe into imports of autos and auto parts.   Advisors in the meeting included Kim jun-dong, Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ha date2018-07-16

Vice Minister attends trade remedy forum

Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee In-ho (seventh from left, front row) gave the congratulatory remarks at the Seoul International Forum on Trade Remedies 2018 in Seoul on July 3.    Saying that the free trade system has contributed to growth and made our lives considerably better, Vice Minister Lee called for fair and transparent remedies that abide by WTO rules and told the trade remedy authorities that they should reduce uncertainties in order to overcome protectionis date2018-07-03

Trade Minister calls for swift RCEP deal

Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong (third from left, back row) attended the ministerial meeting for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that took place in Tokyo on July 1.    In his opening remarks, Trade Minister Kim said that reaching a RCEP deal would be a great opportunity to show that shared prosperity can be built across regions through free trade, against a backdrop in which protectionism is posing a threat to the world's free trade system.    He also date2018-07-01

Minister Paik meets US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Ungyu (right) met with U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce to discuss trade and other related issues in Washington, D.C., on June 27.   During the meeting, the minister expressed his concerns to the U.S. lawmaker about the U.S. investigation into imported automobiles based on national security concerns, and said he hoped that the free, fair and reciprocal trade that could be achieved by the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement s date2018-06-28

Trade Minister discusses Korea-China economic cooperation with Chinese commerce minister

Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong (left) met with Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan to discuss stronger Korea-China economic cooperation and trade, in Beijing on June 27.   During the meeting, Trade Minister Kim said that deeper economic integration between Korea and China would be a practical measure to boost bilateral economic cooperation, and suggested that they discuss a further opening of the two countries’ service markets and stronger investor protection during the subsequent n date2018-06-27

Minister Paik, Chinese commerce minister agree to strengthen bilateral ties

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Ungyu (left) met with Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan to discuss measures to expand bilateral economic cooperation and trade issues, in Beijing on June 5.   During the meeting, Minister Paik called for the Chinese government’s support in resolving challenges that Korean companies face or could face while doing business in China. The minister also urged for more investments from Chinese investors into Korea, especially to the Saem date2018-06-05

Trade Minister, European Commission discuss trade

Trade Minister Kim Hyon-chong (left) met European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström and other EU officials, to discuss trade issues in Paris on June 1.   During the meeting, Trade Minister Kim raised concerns about safeguard investigations into imported steel products currently being carried out by the EU, and suggested measures to improve current multilateral trade rules in light of the fourth industrial revolution.    Trade Minister Kim is visiting Europe this we date2018-06-02

Trade Minister attends OECD Ministerial Council Meeting

Trade Minister Kim Hyon-chong attended the annual Ministerial Council Meeting at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris on May 31.    This year’s meeting, chaired by France, was attended by economic and trade ministers from 37 OECD member states, including the U.S., Canada, and Australia.    During the meeting that took place under the theme of “Reshaping the foundation of multilateralism for more responsible, effective and date2018-06-01

Trade Minister meets Canadian counterpart

Trade Minister Kim Hyon-chong (left) met Canadian Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne in Paris on May 31.    During the meeting, the two discussed trade issues between the two nations, such as the U.S steel tariffs based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.    The ministers are visiting Paris to attend the annual Ministerial Council Meeting at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. date2018-06-01