Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Trade Figures for February

Exports fell 8.6 percent year on year to $42.3 billion, but the average value of total exports per day rose 2.5 percent to $2.1 billion. While outbound shipments of wireless communications devices and petrochemicals posted robust performances, exports of ships and steel remained sluggish. The double-digit growth in wireless communications devices was thanks to the rapidly expanding global Long Term Evolution (LTE) market and growing sales of major smartphone models. Exports of ships and steel continued to decline amid generally downward trends in major trading partners. With the exception of the ASEAN region, most key trading partners showed negative growth. date2013-03-04

Retail Sales Figures for January

Sales at the nation’s major department stores fell 8.2 percent from a year earlier due to the late arrival of the Lunar New Year holiday and the economic slowdown. With the exception of children’s goods and sporting goods and household goods, spending on most categories showed negative growth. Sales of household goods gained thanks to a low base effect from the previous year and major household appliance makers’ heavy marketing of new models. date2013-02-21

Vice Minister Speaks at IETF 2013

Vice Minister Speaks at IETF 2013 Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Cho Seok attended the 20th International Engineering and Technology Fair in New Delhi on February 15. In his opening remarks, the Vice Minister said he hoped the event would help enhance political, economic and cultural ties between Korea and India. date2013-02-21

MKE Releases Car Sales Figures for January

MKE Releases Car Sales Figures for January The Ministry of Knowledge Economy has released its car sales figures for January. Despite the global economic slowdown, automobile production and exports recorded their highest-ever figures for January thanks to an increase in the number of working days. The nation produced 410,602 vehicles and exported 288,344 vehicles for the month. Due to a low base effect from a year earlier and the extra working days, domestic sales rose 10.3 percent year on year date2013-02-13

Korea, Peru Discuss Bilateral Ties

Korea, Peru Discuss Bilateral Ties Vice Minister for Energy and Trade Cho Seok met with his Peruvian counterpart, Deputy Minister for SME and Industry Magali Silva Velarde-Álvarez on February 7 at the Gwacheon Government Complex. The two officials agreed to enhance ties in the energy and resources sector and expand the scope of cooperation to areas such as plant construction, automobiles, shipbuilding, IT and textiles. date2013-02-12

IT Trade Figures for January

date2013-02-08

Minister Speaks At the Partnership Summit 2013

Minister Speaks At the Partnership Summit 2013 Minister of Knowledge Economy Sukwoo HONG (third from left) spoke at the Partnership Summit 2013 on January 28 in India. Through his keynote speech, the Minister emphasized the importance of international coordination in sustaining growth with emerging economies. date2013-02-08

Korea, India Discuss Trade Ties

Korea, India Discuss Trade Ties Minister of Knowledge Economy Sukwoo HONG met with his Indian counterpart, Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma, on January 28 in India. The discussion focused on current trade issues between the two countries. date2013-02-07

Trade Figures for January

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy has released its trade figures for January. he nation’s trade surplus reached $870 million. Exports posted the first doubledigit growth in 11 months, largely due to an increase in the number of working days and a low base effect from a year earlier. Korea’s major export items enjoyed stronger demand as the global economy showed signs of recovery. Exports gained 11.8 percent year on year to $46.1 billion, but the average value of total exports per day grew more slowly than the previous month. While exports of wireless communications devices and automobiles showed solid growth, outbound shipments of ships and steel continued their downward trend. Due to brisk sales of major smartphone models and a weak performance the previous year, exports of wireless communications devices jumped 32.8 percent. The nation also shipped more automobiles abroad thanks to the release of new models and more working days. However, due to weaker demand from major importers including China, Japan and the European Union, exports of steel fell 8.0 percent. Exports of ships also declined because of a prolonged slowdown in the global shipbuilding industry. date2013-02-05

Korea, Vietnam Forge Closer Ties in Materials and Components Industries

date2013-02-05