Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Green vehicles sold within Korea hit record high in December 2019

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 16 that eco-friendly and hybrid vehicles sold within Korea in December 2019 increased 23.3% to 15,262 units compared to a year earlier. Automobile exports last month decreased by 6.7 percent year-on-year to 205,595 vehicles due to the need for overseas inventory exhaustion following the release of new K5 model and the adjustment of GM Korea export line. Although the number of vehicles shipped overseas went down, the increase in exp date2020-01-16

FDI pledged to Korea reach $20 billion five years in a row

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 6 that foreign direct investments (FDI) pledged to Korea in 2019 hit USD 23.3 billion, marking the second highest in history and reaching $20 billion for the fifth consecutive year. FDI commitments dipped 13.3 percent last year, compared with the record high $26.9 billion in 2018. However, the figure in 2019 slightly exceeded the recent five-year average of $23.1 billion, and the Ministry said that it is an indication that Korea ha date2020-01-07

Korea’s trade value reaches $1 trillion in 2019 for the third consecutive year despite challenges in global trade

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 1 that Korea’s trade value in 2019 reached USD 1 trillion for the third year. Although the country’s annual exports marked a 10.3 percent drop to $542.4 billion and imports saw a 6.0 percent decrease to $503.2 billion, Korea achieved the overall trade value of 1 trillion dollars and remained as a net exporter for the 11th consecutive year with a trade surplus of $39.2 billion.Despite a downturn in semiconductors, pe date2020-01-02

Both online and offline retail sales grow in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 25 that Korea’s overall retail sales in November grew 7.5 percent from a year earlier. This rise was a result of increases in sales at both online and offline retailers partly due to this year’s Korea Sales Festa that was held last month. The nation’s largest annual shopping festival provides discount benefits to consumers.The analysis was based on surveys of 26 major retailers. Half of them are offline retailers: date2019-12-27

ICT exports in November total $14.3 billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 22 that Korea’s November exports of information and communications technology (ICT) goods amounted to USD 14.3 billion. Imports of these items reached $9.1 billion, and the trade surplus in this sector was $5.2 billion.Exports fell 21.8 percent compared to the same period last year as a result of falling shipments of semiconductors, display panels, and mobile phones.By item, semiconductor exports dropped 30.7 percent year-on- date2019-12-23

Korean exports of green vehicles up 24.1% to record high in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 13 that exports of Korean eco-friendly cars in November reached a record monthly high of 28,597 units, up 24.1 percent from a year earlier. By type, year-on-year increases were experienced in all types of green cars except for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).Meanwhile, overall auto exports last month decreased 8.6 percent to 217,498 vehicles due to a base effect and fewer overseas orders. Exports in value terms experienced a smalle date2019-12-13

Korea’s November exports fall 14.3% to $44.1 billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 1 that Korea’s exports in November saw a year-on-year decrease of 14.3 percent to USD 44.1 billion. Imports dropped 13.0 percent to $40.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.4 billion.Korean exports last month were affected by several factors: ongoing external uncertainties such as the U.S.-China trade dispute and a global economic slowdown; a delayed price recovery of semiconductors, petrochemicals, and petroleum pro date2019-12-02

Korean retail industry sees sales growth of 4.1% in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 28 that overall retail sales in Korea improved 4.1 percent from a year earlier. Sales at web-based retailers saw a growth of 12.5 percent, but those at brick-and-mortar stores inched down 1.1 percent.These findings are based on surveys of 26 major retailers. Half of them are offline retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, and four super supermarket (SSM) operators. The oth date2019-11-29