Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea announces growth acceleration scheme for middle-market companies

  The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on January 16 the growth acceleration scheme for middle-market companies to be pushed by South Korea’s new regime, during a conference held at MCNEX (Incheon), one of the world’s top automotive camera producers. The conference was attended by MOTIE’s 2nd Vice Minister Park Il-jun, as well as representatives of six middle-market companies and relevant institutions, including the Korea Trade-Investment Promoti date2023-01-17

MOTIE announces Industrial AI Internalization Strategy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held the first Industrial Digital Transformation Committee meeting at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on January 13, where the members deliberated and confirmed the Industrial AI (artificial intelligence) Internalization Strategy (hereinafter “Strategy”). The meeting was attended by relevant ministries’ officials and 13 private sector experts, and was presided by MOTIE’s Minister Lee Chang-yang. MOTIE date2023-01-16

Korea-Singapore Digital Partnership Agreement enters into force

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on January 14 that the Korea-Singapore Digital Partnership Agreement (hereinafter “KSDPA”) comes into effect starting January 14 as both countries’ domestic procedures are completed. The two sides, following their KSDPA signing ceremony held in November 2022, have exchanged on paper notifying the respective fulfillment of their internal legal and procedural requirements, and therefore the KSDPA enters into force begi date2023-01-16

Korea and Lithuania discuss trade and economic cooperation

Minister for Trade Dukgeun Ahn met with Lithuania’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on January 12 in Seoul to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation and also requested support for World Expo 2030 Busan. Minister Landsbergis mentioned that Lithuanian companies specializing in LNG (Klaipedos Nafta), laser (Light Conversion) and EV charging (In Balance Grid) had accompanied him on his visit to hold talks with Korean companies like Samsung Disp date2023-01-16

Korea's ICT exports hit all-time highs in 2022

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on January 12 that shipments of Korea’s information and communications technology (ICT) products in 2022 reached an all-time high of USD 233.3 billion, up 2.5 percent from 2021. Despite the protracted Russia-Ukraine war and global economic slowdown, ICT exports achieved a trade surplus of $80.9 billion and took up 34.1 percent of Korea’s total annual exports. Imports went up 12.9 percent to $152.5 billion. SMEs and middle date2023-01-13

Trade Minister attends 16th Trade Advisory Committee Meeting

Minister for Trade Dukgeun Ahn attended the 16th Trade Advisory Committee meeting on January 11 in Seoul and held public-private joint discussions on the future global trade landscape and Korea’s response measures. Trade Minister Ahn remarked that Korea, an exports-based open economy, will continue to face challenges amid the worldwide rise in protectionism. He emphasized the need for a trade policy that centers on pioneering new markets and preemptively nurtures advantageous trade enviro date2023-01-13

Korea and U.S. discuss critical minerals and energy cooperation

Trade, Industry and Energy 2nd Vice Minister Park Il-jun met with Jose W. Fernandez, U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, on January 10 at the Government Complex Seoul to discuss cooperation in critical minerals, energy resources, and support for Korean companies’ exports and investment. Vice Minister Park emphasized that this is an important time for the two countries’ close cooperation in stabilizing the critical minerals supply chain, which is es date2023-01-11

Korean shipbuilders lead high value-added, eco-friendly market in 2022

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on January 5 that South Korea’s shipbuilding industry won home 37 percent (15.6 million compensated gross tonnage (CGT), USD 45.3 billion) of all orders worldwide. Korea’s market share grew 4 percent to 37 percent in 2022, which is meaningful considering the 22 percent decrease in total global orders in 2022 compared to the previous year. Market share was largest in 2018 (38 percent). This achievement is assessed as attr date2023-01-05