Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korean autonomous driving traffic signal data standard adopted as U.S. standard

Korea’s proposed Traffic Light Signal Message (TLSM) standard for autonomous driving data has been adopted in the 2024 revision of the U.S. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard (SAE J2735*), the de facto international standard in the autonomous vehicle sector, which was published on September 16 (U.S. local time). * SAE J2735 (V2X Communication Message Set Dictionary): A standard that defines data formats for autonomous driving, such as Traffic Light Signal Messages (TLSM), widely used as the dominant standard in the global autonomous driving industry. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Jin Jong-wook) has been actively engaged in standard cooperation, including participation in SAE standard revision activities, based on the MOU signed with SAE in 2023. This achievement is the result of proposing the content of KS R 1600-3 (Traffic Signal Data)—developed by the Korean National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority, and currently in the process of becoming a Korean Standard (KS) under the direction of KATS—for inclusion in the SAE J2735 revision, which was accepted. Since 2020, KATS has been working with relevant government agencies and industries to develop national standards for autonomous driving data (KS R 1600 1-7*). Standardizing data formats for autonomous driving is crucial not only for improving basic safety in communication among autonomous vehicles, traffic infrastructure, and smart devices, but also for expanding future mobility business models, such as car-sharing and remote monitoring. * Seven Korean Standards (KS) related to autonomous driving, including data usage scenarios, vehicle information, traffic signals, maps, control systems, and pedestrian safety data, are under development, with completion targeted for 2025. KATS President Jin Jong-wook stated, "This is the first case where our autonomous driving data standard has been internationally recognized. KATS will continue to pursue the establishment of Korean Standards (KS) for autonomous driving data, which serve as the foundation for building autonomous driving infrastructure and invigorating the industry. We will also support the globalization of Korean technology through international cooperation, including Korea-U.S. standard collaboration." Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho remarked, "The inclusion of Korea's traffic signal data in the U.S. standard is the result of interagency collaboration for the commercialization of autonomous driving. As standardized traffic signal information is essential not only for autonomous vehicles but also for the safe operation of future mobility, we ask for continued support and interest in expanding the infrastructure for data collection and provision."   date2024-09-24

Trade Minister Cheong attends IPEF ministerial meeting, welcoming Agreements’ upcoming entry into force

Korea’s Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong attended the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) ministers’ virtual meeting today and examined IPEF Agreements’ outcomes with the 14 IPEF partner countries and discussed future plans. Partner countries welcomed the upcoming Clean Economy Agreement and the Fair Economy Agreement’s entry into force scheduled for October 11 and 12, respectively, upon their reaching the requisite threshold following the signing ceremony held this June. Once the Clean Economy Agreement comes into force, they anticipate the innovation of clean energy technology, new project opportunities, and job openings, which in turn will heighten investment for clean infrastructure as well. With aim to eradicate corruption and enhance the transparency of tax administration, the Fair Economy Agreement is expected to contribute to advancing intraregional transparency and fostering a fair management environment. Partner countries agreed to expand the scope of Cooperative Work Programs (CWPs) on carbon market, hydrogen, small modular reactors (SMRs), and clean electricity in tandem with the faithful implementation of the Clean Economy and Fair Economy Agreements. They further decided to widen efforts for strengthening developing nations’ anti-corruption capacity. Meanwhile, ministers assessed the progress of the Supply Chain Agreement that entered into force this February. Going forward, partner countries are aiming to reinforce the IPEF-based Indo-Pacific supply chain cooperation through measures such as the sub-committee on logistics and movement of goods launched during the first in-person IPEF Supply Chain Council and Crisis Response Network meeting held recently in Washington D.C.  Lastly, the ministers stated that the first joint mock drill initiated by Korea as chair of the Crisis Response Network served as an opportunity to seek effective supply chain response measures. The Korean government plans to smoothly implement procedures for the ratification of the Clean Economy and Fair Economy Agreements, while deepening cooperation with major Indo-Pacific countries to create tangible outcomes under the IPEF and increase concrete benefits for Korean businesses.   date2024-09-24

Korea and Germany consult measures for stronger industrial and supply chain cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea announced today that it launched the third Korean-German Industry Working Group meeting, which MOTIE and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action have been regularly hosting on an alternate basis since 2021. The bilateral talks covered industrial supply chain data platform cooperation, supply chain emergency response, and automotive industry issues in depth. With regard to the industrial supply chain data platform to be established by Korea for stable supply chain management, the two countries intend to bolster intergovernmental communication and cooperative ties to fully leverage Germany’s experience and knowhow. In addition, the two sides took stock of the industrial supply chain situation and discussed measures for supply chain response and stabilization. They also discussed the future of the automobile industry, a key pillar for both economies. Agreeing to closely cooperate to secure a stable supply source for future mobility key materials and parts including electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles, they further shared views on responding to cybersecurity risks in view of connected cars and other developments in future mobility technology.   date2024-09-24

Korea and ASEAN kick cooperation into high gear in supply chains, economy, and trade

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong attended the 56th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting from September 21–22 in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), and discussed economic agenda items for the coming 44th ASEAN Summit slated for this October. He also agreed to continue expanding cooperation with ASEAN and the Global South countries as part of follow-up measures to the Trade Policy Roadmap the ministry announced in August. Trade Minister Cheong first attended the 12th East Asia Summit (EAS) Economic Ministers Meeting on September 21 and highlighted the need for cooperation at the EAS level to deal with challenging new trade issues such as supply chains, digital transition, and climate change, which are difficult agendas for countries to tackle on an individual basis. At the 21st Korea-ASEAN Economic Ministers Consultation held on September 22, he took stock of various Korea-ASEAN joint projects including the implementation and upgrade of the Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), extending the Korea-ASEAN Startup Policy Dialogue, support for electrical safety infrastructure establishment, and enhancing standards cooperation. In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-ASEAN dialogue relations, the trade chief proposed that they launch the Korea-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue in 2025 as a regular channel for bilateral consultations among ASEAN economic and trade research institutions, which was received favorably by the majority of ASEAN member states. Next, he attended the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (Korea, China, Japan) Summit, where he emphasized the need for the three countries’ cooperation on developing a stable supply chain and built shared consensus on East Timor’s accession to ASEAN and strengthening the multilateral trade-based cooperation amid global economic fragmentation. Moreover, at the third Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministers Meeting, Trade Minister Cheong examined several issues including measures for stronger RCEP implementation for regional economic integration, laying down RCEP accession procedures, and setting up an RCEP support organization.  The trade minister also held bilateral talks with counterparts from other countries including India, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the UK on ways to expand bilateral cooperation across diverse areas such as trade, investment, supply chains, nuclear reactors, carbon-free energy utilization, and digital transition. MOTIE plans to keep expanding collaboration over supply chains, digital transition, climate change response and other areas in high demand by ASEAN countries to smoothly implement the joint projects discussed during the Korea-ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and closely cooperate with ASEAN for the successful launching of the 25th Korea-ASEAN Summit in October.   date2024-09-24

Korea and Czech Republic hold 1st bilateral Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue (SCED)

Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn and Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela held the first bilateral Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue (SCED) on September 20 in Prague. The Korea-Czech SCED is Korea’s second ministerial-level consultative channel following the Korea-U.S. Supply Chain Commercial Dialogue (SCCD). As strategic partners, Korea and the Czech Republic agreed to further reinforce cooperation over supply chains and energy areas. Through the SCED, both sides reaffirmed the mutual importance of their global position in the industrial and energy supply chain and laid the groundwork for swift cooperation amid the growing urgency for energy security and increasing supply chain instabilities. During this first SCED meeting, the two trade and industry ministers shared areas of key interest per each cooperation sector and discussed measures to expand the scope of collaboration. For trade, investment, and supply chains, the two sides noted the rapidly increasing bilateral trade volume and diversification of trade items, seeking cooperation measures by sharing best practices of supply chain crisis response. In advanced industrial sectors, they discussed collaboration and R&D support for the three major high-tech areas—battery, robot, and future mobility. Regarding carbon-free energy, the ministers concurred on strengthening policy and technology exchange in areas of common interest such as hydrogen, energy storage systems (ESS), and energy efficiency. For nuclear energy, they agreed to continue effort towards realizing their shared vision of building the Czech nuclear reactor together. For joint action, they decided to discuss steps for joint entry into third countries among other cooperation measures. Lastly, Minister Ahn stated that the SCED will serve as an important cooperation channel closely connecting the two countries amid intensifying global uncertainties and the growing emphasis on energy security. He maintained that the director general-level consultative channel be established by the end of this year for discovering and discussing joint projects.   date2024-09-23

Korea and Czech Republic hold Industry & Energy Technology Cooperation Forum to step up high-tech collaboration

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea held the Korea-Czech Industry and Energy Technology Cooperation Forum (“Forum”) on September 20 in Prague to bolster cooperation with the Czech Republic, which holds world-leading technology in advanced manufacturing industries like high precision engineering, optics, and nanomaterials. Participating in the Forum were 40 top R&D institutions from the Czech Republic including Czech Technical University and the Czech Academy of Sciences as well as a number of academic, industrial, and research institutions from Korea such as Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI), Hyundai Motor, and Sungkyunkwan University.  Twelve memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between the two countries to identify projects for joint technology cooperation in various areas like robot, laser source, and hydrogen, increasing anticipation for substantial technology exchanges and collaboration ensuing the Forum. In areas where bilateral cooperation is currently ongoing such as high precision engineering and optics, the two sides aim to uncover mid-to-large sized R&D projects to achieve impactful outcomes. Moreover, Korea’s master’s and doctoral researchers will be sent to study at prestigious Czech universities to promote active technology exchanges and joint research between the two countries’ innovative talents. For this aim, MOTIE will be providing KRW 70 billion for joint Korea-Czech R&D. The ministry plans to discuss the prospects of establishing a Korea-Czech industrial cooperation foundation for paving the way to stable bilateral technology collaboration between the two countries’ academia, industries, and research institutions. MOTIE Minister Dukgeun Ahn assessed that Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit has created the opportunity for both countries to step up cooperation in cutting-edge technology, vowing continued effort to uncover impactful joint projects on the occasion of this Forum to assist Korean firms’ open innovation.   date2024-09-23

Korea and Czech Republic to push comprehensive economic cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea announced on September 20 that Korea and the Czech Republic will be extending the scope of economic cooperation in all areas such as trade, investment, high-tech industries, and carbon-free energy on the margins of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the Czech Republic. MOTIE and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic held a ceremony on September 20 in Prague for the signing of four intergovernmental memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the attendance of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala for bilateral cooperation on the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF), Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue (SCED), Vltava High-Tech Industry Cooperation Vision, and battery collaboration. The Czech Republic is Korea’s 25th TIPF partner worldwide and fifth among EU member states. The Korea-Czech TIPF Agreement articulates the two countries’ goal of expanding economic cooperation over a variety of areas including trade, investment, industries, energy, and supply chains and is anticipated to spur joint project support and collaboration between their relevant businesses and institutions. The SCED is a ministerial-level communication channel with emphasis on supply chains and energy areas, through which the two sides plan to manage director general-level meetings across the following five areas: trade/investment/supply chain; advanced manufacturing; carbon-free energy; nuclear energy; and joint action such as market entry into third countries. The Vltava High-Tech Industry Cooperation Vision MOU addresses the two countries’ organized support for joint research, talent exchange, and technical demonstrations in advanced industries like robot, future mobility, and semiconductors. The collaboration synergy is expected to be substantial as both countries are manufacturing-intensive with a competitive edge in high-tech sectors. The battery cooperation MOU aims for comprehensive cooperation in the exchange of market information, sharing of best practices for supply chain response, and joint technology development. As a Korean maker of finished cars is already operating in the local Czech market and many Korean battery firms have entered the Polish and Hungarian markets, Korea and the Czech Republic look forward to the establishment of a battery cooperation ecosystem in the near to longer term. The Korea-Czech Business Forum and Korea-Czech Industry and Energy Technology Cooperation Forum, held in Prague on September 20, saw the inking of bilateral MOUs between the two countries’ research institutions and businesses for cooperation on talent training and technology exchange in battery, robot, and future mobility, which are expected to catalyze research and industrial collaboration in conjunction with the aforementioned intergovernmental MOUs.   date2024-09-23

Korea and Czech Republic hold policy dialogue aiming to establish bilateral policy exchange network

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held the Korea-Czech Policy Dialogue (“Dialogue”) on September 20 as part of measures to establish a policy exchange network between the two countries’ related institutions. The Dialogue was organized in tandem with the Korea-Czech Business Forum and served as a venue for both countries’ government officials, businesses, and institutions to gain firsthand insight from experts’ in-depth analysis, discussions, and policy recommendations on promising economic cooperation prospects. The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET), and the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) each presented on Korea-Czech cooperation in view of the era of economic security, strategic approaches concerning bilateral investment, and measures for industrial collaboration across major strategic sectors. David Müller, Director General of the European Union and Foreign Trade Section of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, presented on the progress and future of Korea-Czech economic cooperation. Noting that Korea and the Czech Republic are like-minded countries with export-oriented economic structures, KIEP President Siwook Lee stated that the two countries’ cooperation is essential in restoring free trade principles and responding to rising global protectionism, expressing anticipation of the Dialogue opening up new horizons for bilateral collaboration.   date2024-09-23