Original source: https://www.korea.kr/briefing/pressReleaseView.do?newsId=156760000
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy expanded Korea’s core export categories from 15 to 20 to better reflect current industrial and trade structures. Newly added categories include electrical equipment, non-ferrous metals, agricultural and fishery food products, cosmetics, and household goods.
The change signals broader policy recognition of intermediate goods and consumer goods as important export engines alongside traditional large manufacturing sectors. It also means future export analysis and support measures may become more tailored by sector.
Key points
- Official export categories expanded from 15 to 20
- New additions: electrical equipment, non-ferrous metals, agricultural and fishery food products, cosmetics, and household goods
- The revised framework is used to read 2026 first-quarter trade trends
- The update may influence future sector-specific export support