Inspecting issues in the root industry, including the mold sector, and exploring support measures; Chairman Shin Yong-moon requests, "Expansion of policy support to strengthen competitiveness."

On Thursday, June 4, Jeong Cho-won, Head of the Root Industry Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), visited KODMIC to listen to on-site grievances in the root industry, including the mold sector, and held an industry roundtable to establish future support plans for the root industry. The meeting was attended by five officials, including MOTIE Root Industry Division Head Jeong Cho-won and Chae Chang-ok, Director of the National Root Industry Promotion Center. KODMIC shared the current status of the industry, the domestic and international challenges faced by the root industry (including the mold sector), and the necessity for policy support.

During the meeting, KODMIC presented the following key proposals:

Strengthening support for root industry exports and overseas expansion to overcome the limitations of the domestic market and diversify export markets.

Supporting the training of multi-skilled workers for existing employees to address the aging workforce, declining new labor inflow, and respond to AI Transformation (AX).

Establishing a foundation for win-win cooperation between large and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), considering the close transactional relationships between manufacturing-based conglomerates and root enterprises.

Expanding support for AX transformation and investments in facilities and equipment dedicated to the root industry to overcome the slowdown in investment caused by economic contraction.

Furthermore, based on KODMIC’s selection as a "Root Technology Professional Training Institution" last year, the cooperative requested budgetary support and the promotion of related projects. KODMIC also emphasized the need to resume manpower training programs that were previously operated, such as the "Root Technology Academy" and the "Digital Root Master" programs. Additionally, KODMIC pointed out that while the root industry sector has expanded from 6 to 14 fields, financial support has decreased; thus, the cooperative requested an increase in the budget and enhanced public promotion to bolster the internal and external status of the root industry.

Shin Yong-moon, Chairman of KODMIC, stated, "Despite the root industry, including mold manufacturing, being a core foundation of the manufacturing supply chain, the difficulties on the front lines are deepening due to sluggish domestic demand, changes in the global trade environment, and severe labor shortages." He added, "KODMIC hope the government will actively reflect the voices of the field to devise effective support policies to strengthen the competitiveness of the root industry."

KODMIC plans to continue communicating with the government to convey the grievances of the root industry—including the mold industry—and to carry out policy proposal activities aimed at strengthening industrial competitiveness.