Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Minister Ahn meets U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach on January 8 (local time) in Washington D.C. to discuss stronger bilateral industrial, trade, and energy cooperation. date2025-01-13

Minister Ahn meets U.S. Representative Carol Miller

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S. Representative Carol Miller on January 8 (local time) in Washington D.C. to discuss stronger bilateral industrial, trade, and energy cooperation. date2025-01-13

Minister Ahn meets former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea held talks with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman on January 8 (local time) in Washington D.C. for discussions and presented the latter with the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for his contribution to establishing the Korea-U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain establishment and furthering bilateral nuclear energy policy and industrial cooperation. date2025-01-13

Minister Ahn discusses strengthening U.S.-Korea cooperation on industry, energy, and trade with U.S. federal and state governments

Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea visited the state of Georgia and Washington, D.C. on January 6 to January 9. During his visit, he held meetings with the U.S. Secretary of Energy, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Governor of Georgia, state legislators, federal senators and representatives, leading think tanks, and other stakeholders. Additionally, Minister Ahn participated in a roundtable discussion with Korean companies operating in Georgia. During his meetings with members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and House Committee on Ways and Means, which oversee trade and taxation matters, Minister Ahn emphasized the strengthened supply chain connections between the two countries, driven by investments made by Korean companies in the United States. He urged U.S. legislators to continue fostering a favorable environment for Korean companies. In a separate meeting with Senator Todd Young, co-sponsor of the "SHIPS for America Act," a bill aimed at strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry, Minister Ahn discussed the ongoing collaboration in formulating policies and legislation to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding sector. Furthermore, in discussions with legislators representing states such as Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama—key hubs for Korean investment in the U.S.—he sought active support and attention to ensure the smooth and stable implementation of Korean investment projects in these regions. Minister Ahn also held bilateral meetings with U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai, respectively. In these meetings, he reviewed the achievements derived from the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two governments and highlighted the need for continued collaboration in the industrial, energy, and trade sectors under the new U.S. administration. Minister Ahn stated, "This visit provided an opportunity to actively highlight the activities of Korean investors to U.S. federal and state governments as well as legislators, while reaffirming the strength of the Korea-U.S. relationship, regardless of the evolving political landscape in both countries." He added, "We will closely monitor the policies introduced by the new U.S. administration and continue to strengthen U.S.-Korea cooperation to ensure that Korean investments and business operations in the U.S. remain stable amid the changing global environment." date2025-01-10

Joint Statement of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea on the Expansion of Peaceful Nuclear Energy

The Department of Energy and the Department of State of the United States of America signed today with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation.  This MOU finalizes the provisional understanding reached by the participants in November 2024. The United States and Republic of Korea have worked together on civil nuclear power for more than 70 years.  The cornerstone of this cooperation reflects the two countries’ mutual dedication to maximizing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and nonproliferation.  This MOU continues to build upon this long-standing partnership and provides a framework for the parties to cooperate in expanding civil nuclear power in third countries while strengthening their respective administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology.  It will also provide a pathway to help both countries keep up with the emergence of new technologies in this sector.  date2025-01-09

Korea and Pakistan to launch negotiations for bilateral EPA

The negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Pakistan, South Asia's second-largest market, officially commenced, marking the start of efforts in 2025 to further expand Korea's export base through strengthened trade networks. Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong of the Republic of Korea and Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan formally announced the initiation of the Korea-Pakistan EPA negotiations on the morning of January 9 in Seoul. Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country, boasts abundant labor resources (population of 250 million, 30% youth demographic) and natural resources (coal, natural gas, copper). Strategically located in South Asia, it serves as a key potential market with borders connecting to major Asian economies like China and India. Expanding trade and investment through the Korea-Pakistan EPA is expected to yield mutual benefits, securing an export growth market for Korea and contributing to Pakistan's stable economic development. Furthermore, as the Pakistani government actively promotes policies to foster its digital, IT, and automotive industries for economic growth, opportunities for collaboration in these sectors—where Korea excels—are anticipated to expand significantly. Trade Minister Cheong remarked, “Amid heightened uncertainties due to the rapid shifts in the trade environment following the inauguration of the new administration and the weakening of the multilateral trade system under the WTO, the importance of FTAs is growing even more significant.” He added, “Starting with Pakistan, we aim to broaden our trade networks this year, focusing on emerging markets in the Global South.” Following the commencement of negotiations for an EPA with Bangladesh in November last year, today’s launch of negotiations with Pakistan is expected to lay the groundwork for long-term partnerships with key South Asian nations that demonstrate significant growth potential.   date2025-01-09

Korea named Global Innovation Champion at CES 2025

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea announced today that Korea won a place among the new Global Innovation Champions this year at the Consumer Electrics Show (CES) 2025 currently in full swing in Las Vegas, U.S. As host of CES, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) grades each country’s technological innovation capacity by the association’s Global Innovation Scorecard and announces the results during each year’s CES event. The CTA’s report evaluated 75 countries according to 15 criteria. Countries are classified into four groups by order of rank: Innovation Champions, Innovation Leaders, Innovation Adopters, and Modest Innovators. This year, Korea jumped up to the Innovation Champions league from its previous position as Innovation Leader (2023), gaining high scores in areas such as encouragement of global tech trade, allowance of cross-border data flow, startup and small business friendliness, pro-innovation legal environment, and digital transparency. Other countries in the Innovation Champion group include the U.S., the UK, Japan, France, and Germany.   date2025-01-08

Minister Ahn chairs meeting with Korean businesses operating in Georgia, U.S.

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea chaired a meeting on January 7 in Atlanta with representatives of Korean businesses operating in Georgia, U.S., including Hyundai Motor Group, Absolix, Aluko, Hyundai Mobis, and LS C&S as well as related institutions like KOTRA, to discuss investment issues. date2025-01-08

Minister Ahn visits SK Battery America

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea visited SK Battery America in Georgia, U.S., on January 7 where he received a briefing on business management from SK Battery CEO Yoonsang Chaey and discussed U.S. investment issues. date2025-01-08

Minister Ahn meets U.S. lawmakers in Georgia

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Republic of Korea met U.S. lawmakers including Georgia State Senator Michael Rhett on January 6 in Atlanta to discuss measures for Korea-U.S. and Korea-Georgia cooperation and received a resolution expressing appreciation for Korean firms’ investment in the state of Georgia. date2025-01-08