Clusters in South Korea have emerged recently, under the influence of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and take place in the shape of mini-clusters, located within industrial complexes. The EU and South Korea have developed a stable economic relationship over time, which has naturally given rise to a bilateral cooperation on cluster development. Such bilateral cooperation on cluster development has been formalised thanks to the signature of an MoU between the European Commission and MOTIE, in 2018.

Economic and political context and framework

South Korea is considered to have a very stable macroeconomic and political environment, with an innovative economy. South Korea has well managed to combine economic growth and poverty reduction. Between 1962 and 1994, Korea’s GDP grew on average by 10 % annually. Such growth is the result of a strongly export-oriented economy.

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The sectoral strengths of Korea are the agrofood industry, the medical sector, the chemical industry, and the machinery and automotive industry. South Korea’s sectoral strength on the rise is the green technology, a booming sector, well structured and heavily supported by public policies.

Cluster community in the country

KICOX (Korea Industrial Complex) is the central contact point for policy dialogue on cluster collaboration in South Korea. KICOX is appointed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). The platform for South Korea clusters is organized by KICOX. In Korea, clusters are known as “Mini Clusters”, and they are typically located within industrial complexes or technology parks. Korea currently counts 62 industrial complexes nationwide, covering a large variety of industrial sectors and being spread over all Korean regions.

Cluster policies encouraging the development and internationalisation of clusters

KICOX (Korea Industrial Complex) is responsible for the development of international programs for the development of clusters in South Korea.

Cluster to cluster cooperation opportunities and potential interest from European clusters and SMEs

A number of EU clusters and SMEs have already collaborated with Korean counterparts. An exchange was notably supported through the EU project KORANET that organised a "KOREA-EU Cluster Cooperation Workshop” in 2011.

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A number of exchanges have also taken place in 2015 and 2016 between EU clusters and different Korean actors. There are interesting examples of formal agreements signed directly between European clusters and South Korean organisations, such as an MoU between the Belgium competitive cluster WAGRALIM with KFRI, the Korea Food Research Institute.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the DG GROWTH of the European Commission and Motie and Kicox in 2018, to foster cluster collaboration. Read less.

Key Facts

Capital: Seoul

Population: 50,22 million (2015)

Total area: 100 210 km2

GDP per capital:25 976,95 USD (2015)

Gross domestic product:

Currency: South Korean Won

Events

Join events to learn about the cluster policy and meet peers from this country
Date Event Target Event Type
21 January 2019 New EU-funded opportunity for green energy companies in Korea SME Matchmaking
26 November 2018 Growing demand of organic food and beverage in Korea and opportunities for European companies SME Matchmaking
17 May 2018 EU - Asia Gateway 2018 - The 4th Transylvanian International Clusters Conference Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, Romania May 16 – 18 2018 Cluster managers, Cluster Policy Makers, Investors, Large audience, SME Conference, Matchmaking, Workshop
28 May 2018 Contemporary European Design companies are invited to apply for a business mission to Seoul, South Korea SME Matchmaking
12 March 2017 Healthcare & Medical Technologies Business Mission (South Korea) Cluster managers, Cluster Policy Makers, Project coordinators, SME Matchmaking, Policy learning, Webinar, Workshop

Achievements

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ESCP-4i News

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ESCP-4is targetting this country

Acronym Name Technology Fields Sectoral Industries Targeted third countries No. of SME involved No. of Partners Sort descending
GCC.eu Global Cosmetics Cluster - Europe
C\: Chemistry; metallurgy:Other (section C)
Administrative and support service activities:N82 Office administrative, office support and other business support activities
India, Mexico, Republic of Korea (South Korea), United Arab Emirates, United States 1000 6
LASER-GO GLOBAL European Cluster Partnership in Photonics for Health Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, United States 240 6
ALLIANCE Alliance for international business development of advanced materials and connectivity for defence and security markets Japan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), United States 0 7
GF GLOBAL FOODTURE
A\: Human necessities:Baking; equipment for making or processing doughs; doughs for baking
A\: Human necessities:Butchering; meat treatment; processing poultry or fish
A\: Human necessities:Foods or foodstuffs; their treatment, not covered by other classes
C\: Chemistry; metallurgy:Biochemistry; beer; spirits; wine; vinegar; microbiology; enzymology; mutation or genetic engineering
Agriculture, forestry and fishing:A01 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities
Agriculture, forestry and fishing:A03 Fishing and aquaculture
Manufacturing:C10 Manufacture of food products
Japan, Singapore, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Thailand 3000 7
H2GLOBAL European Green Hydrogen Cluster Alliance for Internationalisation
C\: Chemistry; metallurgy:Electrolytic or electrophoretic processes; apparatus therefor
F\: Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons; blasting:Storing or distributing gases or liquids
Y\: General tagging of new technological developments:Technologies or applications for mitigation or adaptation against climate change
Professional, scientific and technical activities:M74 Other professional, scientific and technical activities
Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies:U99 Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies
Chile, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Brazil, Morocco 416 860