Export-Import Bank of Korea's (Eximbank) headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of Eximbank

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) allocated 10 trillion won ($6.8 billion) this year to strengthen Korea's supply chain by supporting key industries, the bank said Thursday. The industries include natural resources, essential consumer goods and logistics infrastructure.

According to the bank, the establishment of the 2025 Supply Chain Stabilization Fund was approved at its headquarters in Seoul. Amid rapidly shifting trade conditions following the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, the fund has been expanded to 10 trillion won — double the amount last year — to enhance Korea's supply chain stability and crisis response capabilities.

To support this initiative, late last year, the National Assembly approved a state guarantee for 10 trillion won in supply chain fund bonds. The fund has been ramping up efforts to revitalize the supply chain ecosystem by implementing tailored support measures for key sectors.

To support domestic secondary battery and semiconductor material companies facing challenges such as the electric vehicle chasm and China's low-cost competition, the fund will provide preferential-rate financing to material-demanding companies that commit to purchasing domestically produced materials.

To accelerate investment in critical minerals through public-private collaboration, the newly established Critical Minerals Investment Council will facilitate financial support, including a joint public-private investment package of up to 50 billion won. Participants in the council include the finance ministry, trade ministry, foreign ministry, Eximbank and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation.

"The strengthening of protectionist policies, including tariff measures under the Trump administration's second term, is further deepening global supply chain fragmentation," an Eximbank official said. "The fund will serve as a safeguard for the Korean economy by actively supporting the supply chain ecosystem of key industries, including advanced strategic sectors." (Advertorial)