Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea’s Car Sales for 2014 1H and Outlook for 2014 2H

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Yoon Sang-jick) announced provisionally that the car industry had produced 2,342,578 units, sold 807,063 units in the domestic markets and exported 1,596,198 units in the 1st half of 2014, showing year-on-year growth of 2.6%, 7.3% and 0.4%, respectively. < Overview of the Car Industry Results (Unit: 1 unit, %, USD 0.1 billion) > ○ June 2014 - Production : 380,456 - Domestic Sales : 139,864 - Korean Cars : 122,061 - Imported Cars : date2014-07-11

Korea’s ICT Exports Reach Historic High in the 1st Half of 2014

* Adjusted Outlook for 2014 Global ICT Growth Rate (Gartner, %): : Outlook for September 2013: 3.6 → Outlook for May 2014: 3.2%, reflecting the slowdown in the growth rates of emerging economies and the smart devices sector ○ 2012. 2H - Overall ICT Export Growth Rate : 3.4% Key Items - Export Growth/Decline : 1.5% - Percentage of Export : 70.4% - Rate of Contribution to Export Growth : 32%   ○ 2013. 1H - Overall ICT Export Growth Rate : 10.9% Key Items - Export Growth/Decline : 9.8% - Percentage of Export : 69.2% - Rate of Contribution to Export Growth : 63%   ○ 2013. 2H - Overall ICT Export Growth Rate : 7.6% Key Items - Export Growth/Decline : 8.4% - Percentage of Export : 70.9% - Rate of Contribution to Export Growth : 78%   ○ 2014. 1H - Overall ICT Export Growth Rate : 3.2% Key Items - Export Growth/Decline : 6.2% - Percentage of Export : 71.2% - Rate of Contribution to Export Growth : 133%       date2014-07-10

Labor Productivity of All Industries in the 1st Quarter of 2014 Grew by 1.1% Year-on-Year

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister: Yoon Sang-jick) and Korea Productivity Center (Chairman Jin Hong) jointly analyzed the labor productivity index of all industries for the quarter. According to the analysis result, the labor productivity index of all industries for the 1st quarter of 2014 was 99.0 (2020: 100), a year-on-year increase of 1.1% and showing moderate growth for the third consecutive quarter. Prompted by the base effect, capital investment in the 1st quarter of 2014 grew by 7.3% (1st quarter of 2013: -12.7%), and both industrial production and labor input of all industries grew compared to the same period in the previous year, thanks to the moderate growth of consumption and export. In terms of industrial production, production of all industries grew by 1.6% year-on-year, thanks to the growth in production of major sectors including manufacturing (0.6%), services (1.8%) and construction (6.5%). As for labor input, the number of employees grew by 1.3% compared to the same period in the previous year, while the labor hours declined by 0.7% with labor input growth of all industries as 0.6%. Looking at labor productivity by industry, the service sector showed productivity growth of 3.0% compared to the same period in the previous year, thanks to production growth and labor input decline, while the manufacturing sector and the construction sector recorded productivity growth rates of -1.6% and -3.1%, respectively, as there was more labor input than production growth. Real value added of all industries grew by 4.2% year-on-year, as the gradual growth has continued since the 1st quarter of 2013 (2.2%). The value added labor productivity by industry of the manufacturing sector and the service sector grew by 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively, compared to the same period in the previous year, driving the growth of value added labor productivity of all industries (construction sector: -6.9%). date2014-07-04

5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Negotiations Completed

This round of negotiations was participated in by a total of 600 delegation members from 16 member countries. The Korean delegation, headed by Director-General for FTA Negotiations of the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy Kim Young-moo, included officials from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. ※ 10 ASEAN countries + 6 AFPs (ASEAN FTA Partners, : Korea, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India) During this 5th round of negotiations, discussions were held on Trade in Goods, Services, Investment, Competition, Intellectual Property Rights, Economic Cooperation and the Legal/Institutional Issues, with the aim of achieving visible outcomes for the 2nd RCEP Ministerial meeting to be held in Myanmar in August 2014. Discussions were also held on whether SMEs(Small and Medium Enterprises) , e-commerce, global value chain and government procurement will be included in the scope of negotiations. The Korean delegation actively involved in negotiations by releasing a paper on the Key elements to be explored in the Dispute Settlement Chapter, and submitting the joint non-paper on Government Procurement and SMEs with New Zealand as well. The next round of negotiations (the 6th round of RCEP negotiations) will be held in India in December 2014. date2014-07-02

Export and Import Trends for June and 1st Half of 2014

By contrast, exports to China declined due to China’s increased self-sufficiency in petrochemicals and oil products. Exports to Latin America were also weak, due to a sharp decline in the export of ships. In addition to a slight increase in imports of raw materials and capital goods, there was a significant growth in imports of commodities, due mainly to a growth in automotive imports. Despite the unfavorable conditions, Korea recorded historic-high exports in the first half, mostly attributable to the robust performance of SMEs. It is expected that Korea’s exports will continue to grow, especially in the ship and automotive sectors, as global trade volumes increase thanks to the recovery of advanced economies including the US and EU. Risk factors do exist, including uncertainty over the recovery of Chinese exports, which significantly affects the exports of Korea, also the strong Won and the situation in Iraq. Consequently the government will increase monitoring. Deputy Director Song Jeong-hun, Export and Import Division (044-203-4042) date2014-07-02

Nano Korea 2014 Will Showcase the Locomotives of the Creative Economy

The International Nanotech Symposium will include themed lectures addressing characteristics and trends in nanotechnology, with the slogan “Nanotechnology: Locomotive of the Creative Economy”. In addition, diverse programs will be running for students and female scientists. A discussion of career paths in the nanotech industry, as well as accessible lectures and experiments, will take place in order to give young adults more exposure to nanotechnology. “Women in Nano” is a cooperative session organized by the Association of Korean Women Scientists and Engineers, It is designed to encourage participation by female scientists in Nano Korea 2014. Director Man-ki Jeong said, “I believe this event will provide practical assistance to nano businesses. The government will concentrate policy initiatives to achieve fully-fledged commercialization of nanotechnology and technology convergence.” First Deputy Minister Sang-mok Lee said, “I will be actively supporting Nano Korea 2014 in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, in order to move valuable research achievements towards commercialization, and boost nanotech foundations and exchange.” Deputy Director Song Jeong-hun, Export and Import Division (044-203-4042) date2014-07-02

Sales Trends of Major Retailers for May 2014

Sales of supermarkets grew by 1.2% year-on-year and 18.8% month-on-month. Supermarkets recorded growth in sales for the first time in four months due to the fact that there were more holidays compared to the same period in the previous year, and an uptick in demand for food and home appliances due to the World Cup. Non-food sales grew significantly due to promotion events in May, the Month of Family, contributing to the significant sales growth month-on-month. The sales growth rates of supermarkets by category are as follows: Non-Food ○ Home Appliances & Culture - Year-on-Year : 13.4 - Month-on-Month : 32.8 ○ Apparel - Year-on-Year : -8.6 - Month-on-Month : 24.2 ○ Home Supplies - Year-on-Year : -1.1 - Month-on-Month : 18.5 ○ Sports - Year-on-Year : -1.3 - Month-on-Month : 27.6 ○ General Merchandise - Year-on-Year : -6.6 - Month-on-Month : 27.5 ○ Subtotal - Year-on-Year : 0.5 - Month-on-Month : 24.8   ○ Foods - Year-on-Year : 2.3 - Month-on-Month : 12.6 ○ Total - Year-on-Year : 1.2 - Month-on-Month : 18.8       Sales of department stores grew by 0.8% year-on-year and by 8.0% month-on-month. Sales grew slightly compared to May 2013, which was attributable to the earlier off-season events than the previous year and the sales growth in cooling systems for the summer and in TVs for the World Cup. Sales in all categories grew month-on-month, thanks to the added demand related to the Month of Family, more holidays, more operating days during holidays and better consumer sentiment. The sales growth rates of department stores by category are as follows: Non-Food ○ General Merchandise - Year-on-Year : -1.9 - Month-on-Month : 17.0 ○ Women’s Formal Dress - Year-on-Year : 0.8 - Month-on-Month : 1.9 ○ Women’s Casual - Year-on-Year : -2.5 - Month-on-Month : 8.1 ○ Women’s Apparel - Year-on-Year : -3.8 - Month-on-Month : 8.2 ○ Kids & Sports - Year-on-Year : -2.3 - Month-on-Month : 3.8 ○ Home Supplies - Year-on-Year : 9.6 - Month-on-Month : 1.4 ○ Foreign Premium Brands - Year-on-Year : 7.5 - Month-on-Month : 5.0 ○ Subtotal - Year-on-Year : -0.3 - Month-on-Month : 7.5   ○ Foods - Year-on-Year : 4.6 - Month-on-Month : 10.0 ○ Total - Year-on-Year : 0.8 - Month-on-Month : 8.0         Sales of convenience stores grew by 6.9% year-on-year, and by 9.5% month-on-month. Sales grew year-on-year due to the higher number of stores operated and the growth in customers going on picnics due to there being more holidays. The month-on-month sales growth was attributed to the sales growth in foods, including beverages and beer. The sales growth rates of convenience stores by category are as follows: Non-Food ○ Daily Commodities - Year-on-Year : 4.5 - Month-on-Month : 6.2 ○ General Merchandise* - Year-on-Year : -4.9 - Month-on-Month : 18.9 ○ Tobacco & Other goods - Year-on-Year : 3.9 - Month-on-Month : 5.8 ○ Subtotal - Year-on-Year : 3.2 - Month-on-Month : 6.8   Foods ○ Beverages & Processed Goods - Year-on-Year : 10.9 - Month-on-Month : 13.2 ○ Instant Foods (Specific Perishable Goods) - Year-on-Year : 2.8 - Month-on-Month : 0.7 ○ Subtotal - Year-on-Year : 9.9 - Month-on-Month : 11.6   ○ Total - Year-on-Year : 6.9 - Month-on-Month : 9.5 * Books, magazines, lottery tickets and gift certificates       The sales of SSMs declined by 0.2% year-on-year, but grew by 7.2% month-on-month. The year-on-year sales decline due to obligatory off-days on weekends and the growing number of stores with date2014-06-26

In the FTA era, the world is gathering to discuss trade remedies

Trade Survey Department Director of the Korea Trade Commission Park Jin-kyu gave a presentation introducing the function, role, and survey status of the Korea Trade Commission. He emphasized the fact that the FTAs signed by Korea have reflected more reinforced trade remedy provisions*(WTO Plus), in comparison with WTO agreements, for the purpose of establishing a fair and transparent trade remedy system, and accumulating and sharing best practices will greatly contribute to the global improvement of the relevant system. In the evening, the Commission held a Business Dialogue event in which local exporting companies could meet the representatives of overseas tr date2014-06-20