The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it held the first public-private “Trade Security Dialogue” on the afternoon of April 28 at the Korea Institute for Trade Security Management in Seoul’s Gangnam district, with 10 major companies and related industry associations from the semiconductor, AI and quantum sectors.
The meeting was organized to strengthen the response capabilities of domestic exporters as the United States, China and the European Union continue to tighten economic security measures amid competition for leadership in advanced technologies. With the potential military use of private-sector technologies expanding, export controls and sanctions rules are becoming more complex, the ministry said.
Exporters in key industries such as semiconductors, machinery and aerospace are finding it increasingly difficult to accurately understand and comply with the export control and sanctions rules of different countries, it said. Violations can lead to export restrictions, administrative fines and other penalties, including being placed on sanctions lists.
At the session, the government briefed participating companies on trade security issues, including U.S. legislative trends on semiconductor export controls and China’s announcement of supply chain security rules. Officials also discussed export control items related to semiconductors, AI and quantum technologies that are emerging as key topics in international export control regimes, and reviewed response directions. The ministry said the new channel is expected to deepen government-industry communication beyond raising difficulties, expanding it into a forum for international negotiations on export controls and discussions on institutional improvements.
The ministry said it plans to set up a “trade security hotline” with relevant associations in the first half of the year to address urgent issues, and to continue the dialogue with major manufacturing sectors such as machinery, robotics and automobiles.
Yang Gi-uk, director general for industrial and resource security, said “in-depth communication between the government and companies is key” to establishing and implementing effective trade security policy. He said the government will work with companies to track changes in the global trade security environment and respond with national interests as the top priority, supporting export industries such as semiconductors in maintaining a “super-gap” competitive edge.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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