Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

K-Humanoid Alliance driving new synergies across Korea’s robotics industry

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on May 1 that the K-Humanoid Alliance (“Alliance”), launched April 10, is creating momentum for new collaboration dynamics across Korea’s robot industry ecosystem. Within three weeks of its launch, no less than four memorandums of understanding (MOUs) have been forged among participating firms, with discussions underway for multiple MOUs, purchase contracts, and joint technology development. Five domestic robot companies will be supporting the robot AI foundation model development by supplying humanoid robots to the Seoul National University Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SNUAILAB) and more than 20 companies have already sought participation in the Alliance. On April 16, Rainbow Robotics and CJ Logistics sealed an MOU for joint development and commercialization of logistics robots. AeiROBOT, a multi-winner of international robotics competitions, also inked MOUs with POSCO E&C and HMD on April 16 and April 22, respectively, with plans to develop humanoid robots for construction sites and shipyards. Korea’s leading robot parts company ROBOTIS unveiled its AI humanoid walker robot during an MOU signing ceremony on April 25 with the Korea Integrated Logistics Association (KILA), signaling the firm’s entry into the humanoid robot business for automated logistics. Holiday Robotics, Blue Robin, and ROBROS are some of Korea’s robot companies engaged in ongoing discussions with major domestic manufacturers for deployment of robots at production sites. Cooperation is gaining traction between robot companies and AI experts. Rainbow Robotics, AeiROBOT, Holiday Robotics, ROBOTIS, and ROBROS are among the humanoid robot makers in Korea that plan to provide humanoid robots to SNUAILAB within this year. SNUAILAB and a group of AI experts are aiming to secure robot behavior data from these humanoid robots to conduct AI model testing and develop a general-purpose robot foundation model.  Collaboration between robot parts manufacturers and robot companies is also picking up speed. Wonik Robotics, Faraday Dynamics, and ROBOTIS are some of Korea’s robot parts makers actively involved in cooperation to develop core humanoid robot components such as robotic hands, actuators, and decelerators for joint participation in MOTIE’s R&D projects. On the occasion of the newly launched Alliance, MOTIE intends to support over 10 joint R&D projects over a five-year period to catalyze collaboration between parts makers and robot firms in view of the essential need for specialization in developing high-quality humanoid robots and securing mass production capacity. With over 20 companies seeking to join the Alliance, a humanoid fund slated for launch during the second half of this year is also receiving heated interest from the financial sector. In the near future, MOTIE plans to hold an inaugural meeting to establish rules and stipulate the assigning of different roles and collaboration measures among participants to facilitate the Alliance’s organized operation. Rules will include various guidelines concerning new membership procedures, robot AI development, joint simulator development, funding, regular exhibitions, and talent training.   date2025-05-02

Korea’s exports gain 3.7% in April

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on May 1 that Korea’s exports for April 2025 increased 3.7 percent year-on-year to USD 58.2 billion and imports decreased 2.7 percent to $53.3. billion, the trade balance netting a surplus of $4.9 billion. April exports logged historic highs for the month, maintaining an upward trajectory for the third month running. By item, seven out of 15 major export items saw growth. Semiconductors achieved an all-time high for the month with $11.7 billion (up 17.2 percent) as 8gb DDR4s’ fixed price rebounded for the first time in 12 months and robust demand for high-bandwidth memory chips (HBMs) continued. Wireless communication devices shot up 26.5 percent to $1.5 billion and kept up the growth momentum for the third consecutive month, led by the solid performance of smartphones (up 61.1 percent to $0.4 billion). Bio-health (up 14.6 percent to $1.4 billion) recorded the highest for the month as biopharmaceuticals soared 21.8 percent to $0.9 billion. Steel exports ended their four-month losing streak with $3.0 billion (up 5.4 percent) and secondary batteries snapped the 16-month decline with $0.7 billion (up 13.7 percent). Ship exports surged 17.3 percent to $2.0 billion, advancing for the second month in a row. Meanwhile, automobile exports dipped 3.8 percent but still reached this year’s new high at $6.5 billion. Conventional gasoline-powered vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) faltered, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) carried forward their strong growth momentum for the 14th consecutive month. Car parts exports gained 3.5 percent to $2.0 billion, turning to an expansion for the first time this year. Agricultural products attained fresh highs (up 8.6 percent to $1.1 billion) and cosmetics (up 20.8 percent to $1.0 billion) renewed their April monthly highs on the backs of the global popularity of K-food and K-beauty products. Exports of electrical devices were driven by transformers and power cables, setting record highs of $1.4 billion (up 14.9 percent). By region, Korea’s exports expanded to seven out of nine major overseas markets in April. China-bound exports grew 3.9 percent to $10.9 billion as semiconductor exports rebounded and wireless communication devices posted double-digit growth. To ASEAN, exports rose 4.5 percent to $9.4 billion with semiconductors and steel products at the helm. EU-bound exports secured unprecedented highs of $6.7 billion (up 18.4 percent) as automobiles and bio-health both hiked by double digits. Exports to India climbed 8.8 percent to an all-time high of $1.7 billion for the month, fueled by semiconductors, general machinery, and steel products. Exports to Latin America turned positive with $2.6 billion (up 3.9 percent). To the Middle East and CIS countries, exports increased for the third and second consecutive month, respectively, with $1.7 billion (up 1.6 percent) and $1.2 billion (up 37.2 percent). U.S.-bound exports shrank 6.8 percent to $10.6 billion despite strong demand for petroleum products, secondary batteries, and wireless communication devices as shipments of automobiles and general machinery contracted. In April, Korea’s energy imports declined 20.1 percent to $10.0 billion as imports of crude oil (down 19.9 percent) and gas (down 11.4 percent) diminished. Non-energy imports grew 2.4 percent to $43.4 billion.   date2025-05-02

Korea’s retail industry grows 9.2% in March

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced today that Korea’s retail industry climbed 9.2 percent year-on-year in March 2025, with offline sales falling 0.2 percent and online sales advancing 19.0 percent. MOTIE's monthly retail sales figures are based on surveys of 23 major retailers. Thirteen of them are brick-and-mortar retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, and four super supermarket (SSMs) operators. The remaining 10 are online retailers. A decline in consumer sentiment affected offline categories like fashion and home appliances, reducing sales at hypermarkets (down 0.2 percent) and department stores (down 2.1 percent). Meanwhile, sales at convenience stores (up 1.4 percent) and SSM operators (up 3.6 percent) increased due to their convenience in shopping local for small purchases. With the exception of food products (up 3.4 percent), hypermarkets slowed in most sales categories including home appliances/culture (down 20.2 percent), clothing (down 5.7 percent), and home/living (down 3.7 percent). Department stores likewise saw sluggish sales in all categories aside from food products (up 3.5 percent), experiencing downticks in foreign designer labels (down 2.7 percent), household goods (down 2.2 percent), miscellaneous goods (down 3.8 percent), and kids/sports (down 1.6 percent). Convenience stores and SSMs, on the other hand, enjoyed growth across both food and non-food categories. Online retail sales surged 19.0 percent, the second steepest rise since April 2024 (up 19.5 percent). Food products (up 19.4 percent) and service/other (up 78.3 percent) led the climb, driven by heightened online delivery services and demand for food delivery and e-coupons. In contrast, fashion/clothing (down 4.7 percent) and sports (down 10.1 percent) continued to slow.  Meanwhile, back-to-school demand fueled sales for home appliances/consumer electronics (up 7.8 percent) for the second consecutive month. Cosmetic products (up 7.5 percent) also maintained growth based on wider online demand.   date2025-04-29

Korea and Costa Rica hold trade ministers’ meeting

Korea’s Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong met Costa Rica's Minister of Foreign Trade Manuel Tovar today for discussions on measures to invigorate the two countries’ comprehensive economic cooperation. During the talks, Trade Minister Cheong highly appraised the scope of Korea-Costa Rica trade and investment, which is continuously expanding based on the Korea-Central America Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that entered into force in 2019. He also proposed that the two sides further advance bilateral trade around their areas of strength, such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and semiconductors. Noting the substantive conclusion of discussions this January on Costa Rica’s accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), Trade Minister Cheong expressed anticipation towards wider cooperation between the two countries going forward, including in digital areas as well. Moreover, Trade Minister Cheong asked the cooperation of Costa Rica, as the chair of the 2025 OECD Ministerial Meeting, in encouraging the extensive participation of OECD member economies in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be hosted in Gyeongju, Korea, this October.   date2025-04-28

Korea and the U.S. establish framework for tariff discussions

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn, together with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok, held the Korea-U.S. 2+2 Trade Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on April 24. Later that afternoon, Minister Ahn met with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where the two sides agreed to launch bilateral working-level consultations on tariff issues at the earliest possible date. In the 2+2 Trade Dialogue held earlier that morning, Minister Ahn and USTR Representative Jamieson Greer discussed ways to strengthen Korea-U.S. trade cooperation, with a focus on achieving a mutually beneficial trade balance. During the meeting, Minister Ahn requested that the U.S. exempt Korea from all forms of tariffs, including reciprocal tariffs, product-specific tariffs on automobiles and steel, and any newly imposed tariffs in the future. Through this meeting, Korea and the U.S. reached a principled agreement on establishing a framework for future consultations. Both sides agreed to hold working-level discussions next week to determine the scope and format of the consultations. The specific areas and approach will be finalized through coordination with relevant ministries and the Economic Security Strategy Task Force, chaired by the Acting President. Based on this internal process, discussions with the U.S. will proceed. To comprehensively address issues of interest to the U.S. side, officials from several Korean government ministries also participated in the meeting, including the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Ministry of Health and Welfare. These ministries shared updates on cross-sectoral issues, laying the groundwork for future consultations. Minister Ahn stated, “With both sides agreeing to launch technical consultations, we now have an open channel for more detailed discussions. We will approach future consultations with the U.S. in a calm and deliberate manner, while maintaining close communication with relevant ministries and industry stakeholders.” date2025-04-25

Korea Trade Commission proposes anti-dumping duty on Vietnamese cold-rolled stainless steel products

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held the 459th KTC meeting today for deliberation and resolution on six agenda items. First, the KTC decided to propose the levying of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese cold-rolled stainless steel products, giving a final determination based on investigation findings that the dumped imports have caused material injury to the domestic industries. The KTC will be suggesting a five-year anti-dumping duty of between 11.37% and 18.81% to Korea’s minister of economy and finance. With regard to sodium dithionite from China and particle board from Thailand, the KTC determined based on preliminary investigations a cause-and-effect relation between the dumped imports and injury on domestic industries. Accordingly, the KTC will be proposing provisional anti-dumping duties of between 15.15% and 33.97% on Chinese sodium dithionite products and between 11.82% and 17.19% on Thai particle board to Korea’s minister of economy and finance as a preventive measure during the main investigation period. Addressing investigations on the alleged infringement of a toner cartridge patent and mango jelly copyright, the KTC ruled that the respondents have not violated claimants’ rights and thereby have not committed acts of unfair trade practice. Concerning investigations on the alleged infringement of tent and sleeping bag trademark, the KTC decided to accept both parties’ request for suspension of investigations and closed the case. The KTC also received a report on the roll-out of investigations on an interim review of Chinese polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. Chinese PET film was levied a five-year (May 2023–May 2028) anti-dumping duty of between 2.2% and 36.98% in May 2023, but the recent rise in import shipments and lowered import unit price led to four Korean firms requesting an interim review on Chinese firms Tianjin Wanhua and Kanghui New Material Technology based on allegations of an increased dumping rate in 2024 compared to that of the anti-dumping investigation period in 2021. Should the KTC’s investigation findings over the next six months confirm an increased dumping rate, the KTC can propose to the Korean economy and finance minister that a revised dumping rate be imposed until the anti-dumping duty expires in 2028. Meanwhile, the KTC held a public hearing on the same day on domestic industry’s injury from imports of Chinese stainless steel plates, for which investigations were initiated in September 2024, to grant interested parties sufficient opportunity to make statements and ensure their rights of defense. The said products are currently subject to a provisional anti-dumping duty of 21.6% and await a final determination in the first half of this year following domestic and overseas due diligence procedures.   date2025-04-24

No facts confirmed of news article reporting that Chinese gov’t sent Korean companies an official warning letter as export control measure on Chinese rare earth elements

A news article by Hankyung on April 22 reported that the Chinese government sent Korean firms an official letter warning of sanctions should they export to U.S. arms companies any products manufactured using Chinese rare earth elements. The news article further claimed that this may seriously impede Korea’s exports. The Korean government is in the process of checking whether the news article is based on facts by communicating with the Chinese government and relevant industries. As of yet, no facts have been confirmed concerning any Korean company receiving such warning letters from the Chinese government. The Korean government plans to closely monitor the export controls of major trading partners and will make the utmost effort towards resolving domestic supply chain issues through communication and consultation with relevant countries.   date2025-04-23

Korea and Turkmenistan kick plant cooperation into high gear

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea Dukgeun Ahn and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for Construction and Industrial Complex Baymyrat Annamammedov held Korea-Turkmenistan high-level talks in Seoul on April 18 and discussed bilateral plant cooperation. Prior to the talks, a signing ceremony for the Framework Agreement on a mineral fertilizer plant project, worth 700 million US dollars, was held. This project will be commissioned by “Turkmenhimiya” State Concern and Korea’s Daewoo E&C will participate as a contractor. Once completed, the plant will process phosphorus extracted from mining phosphate rocks in the Türkmenabat region to produce fertilizers, which is anticipated to help improve Turkmenistan’s industrial and agricultural productivity and diversify the country’s export portfolio.   During the high-level talks, Minister Ahn proposed a swift conclusion of the final agreement for the Türkmenabat mineral fertilizer plant project and requested the Turkmen government’s support for Korean companies to ensure their participation in additional plant projects going forward. date2025-04-18