Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources


The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources is a ministry under the Government of South Korea. It is concerned with regulating economic policy, especially with regard to the industrial and resources sectors. The ministry also works to encourage foreign investment in Korea.
The current minister is Kim Jeong-kwan.
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History

Ministry of Commerce (1948-1993)

The ministry began in 1948 as the Ministry of Commerce during the First Republic. In 1993, it was merged with the Ministry of Energy, established in 1977. A year later the ministry changed its name to Ministry of Trade and Energy.

Ministry of Trade and Energy (1994-1998)

In 1998, it transferred trade negotiation duties to the foreign ministry changing its name to Ministry of Industry and Energy.

Ministry of Industry and Energy (1998-2008)

In 1998, it changed its name to Ministry of Industry and Energy, not changing any fundamental structures.

Ministry of Knowledge Economy (2008-2013)

In 2008, it was restructured into Ministry of Knowledge Economy following newly elected president Lee Myung-bak's cabinet reorganization.

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (2013-2025)

In 2013, following President Park Geun-hye's cabinet reorganisation the ministry was restructured into the current form bringing back trade negotiation duties from the foreign ministry. In 2017, it delegated duties related to SMEs to newly created Ministry of SMEs and Startups under President Moon Jae-in. In 2018, it added the third vice ministerial role for energy policies in addition to existing trade minister and vice minister.

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (2025-present)

In 2025, newly elected President Lee Jae Myung's cabinet reorganisation transferred the energy sector to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, another government branch that was reorganized from Ministry of Environment.

Headquarters

The headquarters are located in the Sejong Regional Government Complex in Sejong City. The headquarters were formerly located in the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Subsidiary sections

Subsidiary organisations of the MOTIR include:
  • Korean Agency for Technology and Standards
  • Korea Trade Commission
  • Mine Registration Office
  • Electricity Regulatory Committee
  • Free Economic Zone Planning Office

Organization

List of ministers

List of Ministers from 1948 to the present.

Minister

  • Policy Advisor to the Minister
  • Director General for Audit and Inspection

Minister for Trade

Office of FTA Negotiations

  • Director General for FTA Policy
  • Director General for FTA Negotiations
  • East Asia FTA Bureau

Office of International Trade and Legal Affairs

  • Director General for International Trade Affairs
  • Director General for Trade Legal Affairs and Public Relations

Office of International Trade and Investment

  • Director General for International Trade Policy
  • Director General for Cross-Border Investment Policy
  • Director General for Domestic Policy on Trade
  • Director General for Trade Controls Policy

1st Vice Minister

Office of Planning and Coordination

  • Director General for Policy Coordination
  • Director General for Emergency and Security Planning

Office of Industrial Policy

  • Director General for Industrial Policy
  • Director General for Materials and Components Industries
  • Director General for Manufacturing Industry

Office of Industry and Enterprise Innovation

  • Director General for Industrial Technology Convergence Policy
  • Director General for Regional Economic Policy
  • Director General for Middle Market Enterprise Policy

2nd Vice Minister

Office of Energy Industry