Government Holds First Trade Policy Advisory Committee Meeting: "Pursuing Diversification of Trade Networks"

7th Committee Launched with New Experts in Emerging Industries

Key Trade Issues Discussed, Including Participation in CPTPP

Yonhap News

The government has held discussions with private sector experts to explore policy directions in response to the rapidly changing global trade environment.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on June 8 that it hosted the "2026 1st Trade Policy Advisory Committee" at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, chaired by Yeo Han-koo, Deputy Minister for Trade.

The Trade Policy Advisory Committee is a private advisory body of the ministry, operated in accordance with the "Regulations on the Committee for Trade Agreement Measures." It is composed of 30 experts from various sectors in order to gather opinions from industry, academia, and research institutions on overall trade policy.

This meeting was the first to be held since the inauguration of the 7th committee, following the expiration of the 6th committee's term earlier this year. The government newly included experts in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital industries, and consumer goods when forming the committee. Of the total 30 members, 21 attended the meeting. During the session, a new chairperson was elected and letters of appointment were presented.

The participants analyzed the rapidly changing global trade environment, citing the spread of protectionist policies by countries worldwide and the intensification of advanced technology competition. They exchanged views on policy tasks to expand export markets for Korean companies and stabilize supply chains. In addition, they made various suggestions on key trade issues, such as expanding trade networks and enhancing market accessibility for companies, including the pursuit of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Deputy Minister Yeo commented, "Although uncertainty is increasing as the global trade environment changes rapidly, the government has achieved results such as surpassing 700 billion dollars in exports in 2025 and reaching the highest cumulative export volume ever by May of this year, all within one year of the administration's launch."

He added, "To sustain the upward trend in exports, we will diversify trade networks and pursue an aggressive trade policy that directly addresses corporate challenges. Based on leadership in setting international trade norms, we will realize a national interest-centered trade policy."

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