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Trade minister voices need to expand cooperation with EU amid global uncertainties

Published: 08 Apr. 2026, 16:49

South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks at a luncheon meeting with officials from major European companies hosted by the ECCK in Seoul on April 8. [YONHAP]

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo stressed the need to enhance economic partnership between Korea and the European Union to jointly address global challenges while meeting with representatives from major European firms on Wednesday, his office said.

The meeting in Seoul was attended by some 40 representatives from major European firms in the automotive, infrastructure, semiconductor and consumer goods sectors, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. They included Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group, Copenhagen Offshore Partners, P&G, L'Oreal, Air Liquide and ASML.

Yeo insisted that the two sides can create a greater synergy by integrating Korea's global competitiveness in advanced industries with the EU's leadership in the international community, stressing the need for an enhanced partnership between the two in critical minerals, supply chains and cutting-edge technologies.

Through such cooperation, the two economies will be better positioned to respond to challenges in the global trade environment, such as the intensifying tech war between the United States and China, supply chain uncertainties and the growing nexus between economic and security issues, the minister was quoted as saying.

Yeo also pledged continued consultations with the EU on measures to help improve European companies' access to the Korean market, the ministry said.

Yonhap