Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea’s October exports hit second highest on record

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 1 that Korea’s exports in October rose 22.7 percent year-on-year to USD 55 billion, the second highest on record.This achievement was possible because of both internal and external factors. The internal factors include the Korean firms’ pursuit of manufacturing high value products, diversification of exports items, and balanced growth of exports to foreign destinations. The external factors are strong manufacturing indu date2018-11-01

Overall retail sales grow 6.9 percent in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 30 that overall retail sales in September posted a year-on-year increase of 6.9 percent thanks to growths in both online and retail sales.Brick-and-mortar retailers saw a 6.0 percent growth in sales because of the national Chuseok holiday. Last year, the public holiday was in October.Sales of online retailers increased 8.6 percent, the smallest positive change since October 2017, due to the suspension of delivery services during Kor date2018-10-30

Korea’s annual chip exports surpass $100 billion for first time

Seoul, Korea - The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted the 11th Semiconductor Day at COEX in Seoul on October 25 to commemorate this year’s annual exports of semiconductors that surpassed $100 billion for the first time. This is an unprecedented achievement for any single export item. During his commemoration remarks at the event, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yunmo said that this accomplishment was possible because of close public-private cooperation, as well as home date2018-10-25

Korea’s first operation of hydrogen buses take place in Ulsan

Seoul, Korea - The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 22 that Korea’s first operation of hydrogen fuel cell buses was launched in Ulsan, spurring public interest and promoting the national spread of hydrogen buses. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the Ulsan city government, Hyundai Motor, and an Ulsan bus company to operate hydrogen buses, spread hydrogen vehicles and charging stations, and raise public awareness about their safety and environment date2018-10-22

Materials, components exports grow 13.6 percent to $237.9 billion in Q1 - Q3

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 18 that exports of 11 types of industrial materials and components in the first three quarters of this year went up 13.6 percent year-on-year to $237.9 billion.Imports also rose 5.1 percent to $131.8 billion and the trade surplus stood at $106.1 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time for materials and components.By type, electronic components accounted for 44.0 percent of the total exports. The other two types date2018-10-18

ICT exports in September reach new monthly record of $20.3 billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 17 that exports of information and communications technology (ICT) products in September increased 5.3 percent year-on-year, reaching the highest monthly record of USD 20.3 billion.ICT imports decreased 11.7 percent to $8.0 billion and Korea stayed as a net ICT exporter with a trade surplus of $12.3 billion.In particular, growths in outbound shipments of semiconductors and computers and peripheral devices helped ICT exports surpass date2018-10-17

Fewer working days lead to decrease in auto exports in September

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 12 that Korea’s automobile exports, production, and domestic sales in September all saw a year-on-year decrease on fewer working days due to the national Chuseok holiday.Exports of finished vehicles fell 18.4 percent to 183,964 units. In terms of region, all export destinations except non-EU European countries saw a decline: North America (down 14.0 percent to $1.2 billion), EU (down 32.7 percent to $542 million), the Middle E date2018-10-12

FDI pledged to Korea in first three quarters reach record high

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on October 4 that foreign direct investment (FDI) pledged to Korea in the first three quarters of this year reached a record high of USD 19.2 billion, up 41.4 percent from the same period last year.This highest figure ever for the January-September period indicates that Korea is certainly an attractive investment destination as the Asian country engages in many free trade agreements, has an excellent research and investment workforce, and is h date2018-10-04