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Local Korea Mobilizes on Two Industrial Fronts: U.S. Tariff Shock and Middle East Supply Risk
On April 9, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) moved simultaneously on two separate but related fronts, convening industry stakeholders to address pressing trade and supply-chain vulnerabilities triggered by global developments — one rooted in Washington, the other in the Middle East. Section 232 Restructuring: Navigating the New Tariff Landscape At 10:00 a.m. in the Grand Conference Room of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Seoul, MOTIR Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-koo presided over a public-private joint review meeting on the restructuring of U.S. Sect
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-04-09 16:57
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Diplomacy Korea Mobilizes Diplomatic and Economic Response as Middle East Crisis Enters Day 39
The following combines the April 7 Press Briefing on the Middle East Situation issued by Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and an April 8 press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) regarding the recent cease fire: Today marks the 39th day since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis. In response to signs of expanding and prolonged military conflict, the government established an Emergency Economic Situation Room at Cheong Wa Dae on March 25, and has convened three sessions of the Emergency Economic Review Meeting, chaired directly by the President, with the most rec
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-04-08 17:27
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Business K-Standards to Drive Korea's Future Industries
The Korean government has unveiled its Sixth National Standards Master Plan, a five-year blueprint covering 2026–2030, jointly developed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and 17 other ministries and agencies. With a total investment of approximately KRW 1.49 trillion (roughly USD 1.08 billion), the plan positions standardization as a core instrument of industrial competitiveness and technology diplomacy. The plan is built around four strategic pillars: 1. Leading Standards in Future Industries and AI Korea has identified 18 priority sectors for international standardizat
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-30 16:39
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Diplomacy Korea and China Reboot Industrial Ties in Beijing Ministerial Meetings
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced on March 19 that MOTIR Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim visited Beijing on March 18, 2026, and held successive Korea–China ministerial meetings on commerce and industry. Minister Kim first met with Wang Wentao, China’s Minister of Commerce, and agreed to focus on implementing the agreements reached by the two leaders and stabilizing supply chains amid rapid shifts in the global trade environment. In the event of logistics delays or raw material shortages, the two countries will immediately activate communication channels, including the
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-19 17:43
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기본분류 Korea Advances Energy Security Ties with Japan and U.S. at Inaugural IPEM in Tokyo
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall | Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced March 16 that Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim attended the inaugural Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial (IPEM) in Tokyo on March 14–15, 2026. Co-hosted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, the IPEM was sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and Departments of State, Interior, Energy, and Commerce. The ministers, CEOs and senior leaders were convened to "advance the integration of energy security and national sec
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-17 11:30
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Local Korea Imposes Maximum Prices on Petroleum Products Amid Middle East Supply Concerns
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced March 13 that the Korean government would introduce policy measures to curb the recent spike in domestic petroleum prices caused by developments in the Middle East and to limit sharp price swings in the event of a supply crisis. To that end, following consultations with relevant ministries, the government will implement a maximum price system on petroleum products. The maximum prices will apply to refiners' supply prices for gas stations and dealers, not retail prices at gas stations. Effective from 12:00 a.m. on March 13 through
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-16 08:59
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Global Korea Joins Unprecedented IEA Collective Action as Global Oil Supply Crisis Deepens
In a March 11 press release, Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced that the International Energy Agency (IEA) had decided at an emergency Governing Board meeting the same day to implement the Collective Action proposed on March 10 to release 400 million barrels of emergency oil stocks. Korea has been allocated 22.46 million barrels, or 5.6% of the total, for release. The IEA approved the largest coordinated stock release in its history to help ease the global energy supply crisis, which has been intensifying amid recent developments in the Middle East. National re
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-13 15:32
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Business MOTIR Launches Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee for AI-driven Transformation
A region-led framework to scale AI transformation (AX) across industrial complexes is now underway. On February 26, 2026, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the launch ceremony for the Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee, the 11th subcommittee under the M.AX Alliance, at the Changwon National Industrial Complex. Manufacturers, AI companies, universities, research institutes, and local governments attended the event and discussed the direction of the industrial complex AX and the subcommittee’s operating plan. The new subcommittee brings together more than 500 institution
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-03 14:02
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Diplomacy Korea and India Chart New Course for Economic Partnership
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) attended the Korea–India Economic Cooperation Conference on February 20, 2026, at the Lotte Hotel Seoul. Held under the theme “The Future of Korea–India Economic Cooperation for Shared Prosperity,” the conference examined practical directions for future economic cooperation with India, a country drawing growing attention as a next-generation manufacturing base and key supply chain hub, backed by its vast domestic market and an annual growth rate of 6 to 7 percent. The event brought together approximately 200 pa
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-02-23 13:10
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2026-04-18 16:37
Korean Cultural Federation Showcases Traditional Craft at Gallery Mirae
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2026-04-17 13:26
Slovak Illustrator Peter Uchnár Brings Award-Winning Vision to Seoul's Bukchon
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2026-04-14 12:51
Korea and Poland Elevate Ties to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'
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2026-04-13 15:19
K-Defense Delegation Advances Arms Export Push Across Latin America
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2026-04-10 18:56
Korea-Turkmenistan relations upgraded to a Strategic Partnership
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UPDATE: 2026년 04월 18일 16시 37분