The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced its 2026 business plan focusing on three key policy directions: regional economic growth, AI-driven transformation of manufacturing, and a new strategic trade initiative. It aims to strengthen regional growth engines and revitalize businesses by supporting ‘5 Core + 3 Special Growth Industries’ with a bold ‘Growth 5-set Package’.
To promote regional economic development, MOTIE will select ‘5 Core + 3 Special Growth Industries’ by February next year and provide concentrated support in regulation, talent, finance, funding, and innovation. It will expand regulatory free zones, support talent supply through nine regional national universities, and consider introducing a special subsidy modeled after the U.S. IRA. The plan includes investing over 40% of the 150 trillion won National Growth Fund and considering a dedicated 2 trillion won R&D program.
To drive industrial innovation, MOTIE will accelerate the convergence of manufacturing and AI (M.AX) through the ‘M.AX Alliance’ of over 1,000 industry-academia-research entities. It plans to expand AI factories to 500 by 2030, establish 15 AI collaboration models for large, medium, and small enterprises, and create 13 AX demonstration industrial complexes. Strategic initiatives are also outlined for semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, shipbuilding, bio, and defense industries.
To expand into global markets, MOTIE will operate a $200 billion U.S. investment fund, pursue project-based FDI attraction, and consider joining the CPTPP. It aims to achieve $700 billion in exports for the second consecutive year by diversifying export markets and strengthening strategic partnerships with Japan, EU, and ASEAN. It will also supply 275 trillion won in trade insurance and expand production gap subsidies for economic security items to 29.1 billion won.