Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea’s ICT exports in March rise 8.9% to $17.4 billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on April 14 that outbound shipments of Korea’s information and communications technology (ICT) goods in March increased 8.9 percent to USD 17.4 billion.   Imports of ICT products totaled $10.9 billion, and the trade surplus stood at $6.5 billion.   Exports of all major items experienced growth in March.   Chip exports gained 7.9 percent to $9.6 billion and recorded growth for nine straight months. Both memory chips ( date2021-04-14

Korea's automobile output, domestic sales, and exports grow in Q1

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on April 13 that Korea’s automobile output, domestic sales, and exports in the first quarter of 2021 went up 12.2 percent, 11.3 percent, and 16.9 percent, respectively.    Meanwhile, for the month of March, output, domestic sales, and exports went down 9.5 percent, 0.9 percent, and 1.4 percent, respectively, due to a high base effect.   Total auto production in March by Korean automobile producers dipped 9.5 percent to date2021-04-13

Korea, U.S. discuss measures to expand cooperation in energy

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (right) met his U.S. counterpart, Jennifer Granholm, virtually on April 12, and the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector for the development of eco-friendly, low-carbon industries.They also said that it is important to expand bilateral communication at a private level and join efforts at R&D in the field of clean energy such as next-generation secondary batteries, hydrogen energy, carbon capture & storage, and date2021-04-13

Minister Sung meets with semiconductor industry representatives to discuss global supply chain issue

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (center) held a meeting with local semiconductor manufacturers and industry representatives in Seoul, on April 9, to discuss countermeasures for the semiconductor industry amid disruptions in the global supply chain.   Minister Sung mentioned the importance of active private investment in memory chip and foundry production capacity for the establishment of a stable supply chain, and said the government will also come up with policy measures t date2021-04-09

Minister Sung holds discussion with trade, industry experts

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (center) held a meeting with trade and industry representatives in Seoul, on April 8, to discuss various trade issues including recent trends in global trade, Korea’s exports following COVID-19 outbreak, and prospects for new industries.   Minister Sung stressed the need to continue with the development of high value-added export items and establish an export system resistant to crisis for global supply chain security.   date2021-04-08

Minister Sung meets with COP26 president

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (left) met with Alok Sharma, president of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Seoul, on April 6, and discussed measures against climate change.   Minister Sung pointed out local industries’ efforts in setting targets for carbon neutrality and the government’s plans to develop renewable energy sources.   He added, the COP26 meeting will be an opportunity to es date2021-04-07

Minister Sung attends launching ceremony for Energy Alliance

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (center) attended a launching ceremony for the Energy Alliance in Seoul, on April 6, to encourage local energy companies’ efforts to cooperate in carbon initiative.Minister Sung emphasized the need for preemptive technological innovation across all energy sectors, and stressed the role of the Energy Alliance in providing a communication channel with the government for effective and market friendly policies to reduce carbon emissions and innova date2021-04-06

Minister Sung talks with commercial attachés

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo held a virtual meeting with 51 commercial attachés in 35 countries at the government complex in Sejong, on April 5, to discuss measures to revitalize exports and respond to global trade issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and technology security. date2021-04-06

FDI pledged to Korea amount to $4.7 billion in Q1

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on April 5 that foreign direct investments (FDIs) pledged to Korea in the first quarter of this year jumped 44.7 percent year-on-year to USD 4.7 billion. The FDIs that actually arrived in Korea over the same period also went up 42.9 percent to $4.3 billion. Despite difficult external circumstances amid COVID-19, FDI arrivals hit the record high quarterly value for the first quarter in history. Investment that was delayed due to the virus outb date2021-04-05

Minister Sung encourages ‘white bio’ project

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo (center) attended the launching ceremony for a committee which will open communication between bio and petrochemical firms to boost the ‘white bio’ industry, on April 2.The committee is expected to play an important role toward the country’s 2050 carbon neutral target by helping to reduce waste plastics and greenhouse gas emissions. date2021-04-02