Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea’s auto exports log 2nd highest for March

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of Korea announced today that automobile production (up 1.5 percent), domestic sales (up 2.4 percent), and export value (up 1.2 percent) for the month of March 2025 all advanced year-on-year for the second consecutive month. Notably, March automobile exports reached the second highest in history for the month at $6.2 billion. The export value for the first quarter (Q1) inched down 1.3 percent year-on-year, which is attributable to last year’s high base effect and this year’s lower number of working days (-3) compared to Q1 2024. Domestic sales rose 2.7 percent to 388,294 units during Q1 2025 as a result of a base effect from last year’s sluggish domestic demand. Q1 sales of eco-friendly vehicles soared over 20 percent to 169,013 units and the total automobile production volume (1,013,485 units) breached the one-million-unit mark for the third consecutive year, driven by strong domestic demand.   date2025-04-15

Korea and Vietnam ink MOUs for wider economic cooperation

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn met Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien today in Hanoi for the 14th Korea-Vietnam Joint Industrial Committee and 8th Korea-Vietnam FTA Joint Committee meetings and discussed measures for wider economic cooperation between the two countries. During the Korea-Vietnam Joint Industrial Committee meeting, the two sides discussed detailed implementation measures for reaching USD 150 billion in bilateral trade volume by 2030 and agreed to cooperate on Vietnamese nuclear reactor projects, LNG power generation, clean energy development, and textile sector investments as well as on resuming logistics policy meetings at the director general level. In the following FTA Joint Committee meeting, the two delegations reviewed key issues including the amendment of the bilateral FTA for cost reduction and streamlining of customs procedures for exporting businesses, the expansion of electrical safety certification institutes, broadening the export and import range of agricultural and livestock products, and import regulations. They also discussed ways to enhance companies’ utilization of the bilateral FTA. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony was held on the heels of the FTA Joint Committee meeting, where the chief delegates of both countries signed the MOU on achieving $150 billion in bilateral trade volume by 2030 and the director generals in charge of nuclear power development inked an MOU on bilateral nuclear reactor cooperation. Moreover, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) entered into an MOU with Vietnam’s state-owned power transmission company for cooperation in power grids and new energy industries.  In the evening of the same day, Minister Ahn convened a conference with the representatives of 16 Korean companies operating in the local Vietnamese market to discuss business issues, stating that the ministry will make continued effort to maintain intergovernmental, high-level consultations with relevant authorities.   date2025-04-15

Korea’s ICT exports climb 9.4% in March

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of Korea announced today that exports and imports of information and communications technology (ICT) goods for March 2025 rose 9.4 percent and 6.8 percent year-on-year, respectively, to USD 20.6 billion and $12.2 billion. The trade balance stood at a surplus of $8.4 billion. Compared to February, the month of March saw exports and trade surplus soar steeply, each advancing 24 percent and 48 percent month-on-month. It is also significant to note that exports of major ICT items gained simultaneously for the first time in eight months. Leading items like semiconductors (up 11.8 percent year-on-year), displays (up 1.3 percent), mobile phones (up 14.5 percent), and computers/peripherals (up 28.1 percent) all achieved growth, whereas communication devices (down 0.4 percent) slowed. The rebound of semiconductors is attributed to buyers’ depleting memory chip inventories and increasing demand for high value-added memory chips like HBMs and DDR5s. Displays snapped their eight-month losing streak, thanks to new mobile phone model releases and wider demand from downstream ICT industries.  Mobile phones performed strong as shipments of parts surged on the backs of demand from overseas production bases. Computers/peripherals enjoyed growth as increasing investments in servers and datacenters across the U.S. and the EU led to higher demand for storage devices. Meanwhile, communication devices inched down as a result of the diminished supply of parts for wireless communication devices. By region, Korea’s ICT exports expanded to destinations like the U.S., Vietnam, and Japan, while those to China (including Hong Kong) and the EU declined.   date2025-04-14

Korea and Vietnam sign MOU for cooperation in power grids and new energy industries

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn and Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien led their government delegations in attending the MOU signing ceremony between Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and Vietnam’s National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) for cooperation in power grids and new energy industries. date2025-04-14

Korea and Vietnam hold ceremony for signing of minutes

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn and Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a ceremony on April 14 in Hanoi for the signing of minutes of the 14th Korea-Vietnam Joint Industrial Committee and 8th Korea-Vietnam FTA Joint Committee meetings. date2025-04-14

14th Korea-Vietnam Joint Industrial Committee & 8th FTA Joint Committee

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn met Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien today in Hanoi for the 14th Korea-Vietnam Joint Industrial Committee and 8th Korea-Vietnam FTA Joint Committee meetings and discussed measures for reaching USD 150 billion in bilateral trade volume by 2030, cooperation in Vietnamese nuclear reactor projects, LNG power generation, clean energy development, and enhancing companies’ utilization of the bilateral FTA. date2025-04-14

Vice Minister attends Korea Pavilion opening ceremony at World Expo 2025 Osaka

Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Vice Minister Namho Choe attended the Korea Pavilion opening ceremony at World Expo 2025 Osaka on April 13 with the participation of Korea and Japan’s government delegations, related institutions, and business leaders including Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) President Kang Kyung-sung and Commissioner General of the 2025 World Exposition in Japan Haneda Koji. date2025-04-14

Vice Minister meets IEA Deputy Executive Director

Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Vice Minister Namho Choe met International Energy Agency (IEA)'s Deputy Executive Director Mary Burce Warlick on April 10 in Seoul for discussions on changes in the global energy market and response measures. date2025-04-14

Trade Minister meets senior U.S. commerce officials

Korea’s Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong met U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Nominee William Kimmitt on April 9 (local time) in Washington D.C. to discuss export controls and other trade issues. date2025-04-11

Trade Minister meets U.S. Trade Representative

Korea’s Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on April 8 (local time) in Washington D.C. to discuss bilateral trade issues. date2025-04-11