Government to Invest 684.6 Billion Won in Root Industry Promotion

2025 Root Industry Promotion Action Plan Finalized
Government to Invest 684.6 Billion Won to Secure Talent, Drive Innovation, and Strengthen the Industrial Ecosystem

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on April 28 that it has finalized the "2025 Root Industry Promotion Action Plan" to strengthen the growth engine of the root industry, which forms the foundation of the manufacturing sector, and will allocate a total budget of 684.6 billion won this year. This represents an increase of 6.9% compared to the previous year.

This plan is an annual implementation measure under the "3rd Basic Plan for Root Industry Promotion," which is being carried out from 2023 to 2027. It was developed through collaboration among relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Education, and the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

This year, the government will focus on three main strategies: securing talent and supporting corporate growth, promoting technological innovation and process intelligence, and strengthening the industrial ecosystem.

First, the government aims to ensure the sustainability of the root industry by supporting talent acquisition and corporate growth. To secure talent, it will newly introduce a recruitment matching program targeting young people and designate educational institutions to train field experts. In addition, more universities that train foreign technical personnel?who contribute to securing capable foreign workers?will be designated.

For root industry companies facing growth challenges, the government will provide tailored support policies according to each growth stage, offer preferential policy financing, and provide emergency management stabilization funds. Companies seeking to build new factories or expand existing ones will receive expert site selection consulting.

In addition, the government will enhance the value-added and productivity of the root industry through technological innovation and process intelligence. To proactively respond to advanced and core industries, 15 next-generation common and core root technologies will be developed and disseminated over six years, starting with eight this year.

To enable the intelligence of root processes, the government will support the establishment of advanced production systems, including manufacturing process automation, intelligent process transformation, and robot adoption. Digital transformation technology support centers will also be established in Siheung (process innovation simulation), Gumi (molds), and Seongju (heat treatment).

Furthermore, to strengthen the regional ecosystem, the government will support joint solutions such as regional industry collaboration among universities and research institutes centered around root industry specialized complexes in each region, as well as the establishment of shared equipment and facilities.

To expand the corporate ecosystem, a platform will be built to support matching between root industry companies and demand companies, as well as product and process development, with pilot services to be provided to facilitate new transactions and active technological collaboration.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "We will provide comprehensive government support to foster innovation and growth potential in the root industry," adding, "Through these efforts, we hope to revitalize the root industry sector and see the emergence of new global leading companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.