The South Korean government will invest at least 4.5 trillion won ($3.06 billion) to secure overseas logistics hubs supporting export operations of local companies. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries unveiled the plan at a meeting of ministers on industrial competitiveness, aiming to expand government-backed overseas logistics bases from nine to 40 by 2030. The hubs will be established in 11 countries with significant trade volumes, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Germany.
On December 16, 2025, the South Korean government announced a major investment plan to secure overseas logistics hubs at a meeting of ministers on industrial competitiveness. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, only 8.8 percent of overseas logistics centers operated by 15 major domestic firms are Korean-owned, and Korean companies hold stakes in just seven overseas container terminals. To address these weaknesses, the government aims to expand supported logistics bases to 40 by 2030 and collaborate with shipping firms and maritime authorities to acquire stakes in container terminals and bulk terminals for strategic cargo like energy and grains. It will also double the logistics supply chain investment fund to 2 trillion won.
The targeted countries are 11 nations with high trade volumes with Korea, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Germany. During the meeting, the finance ministry outlined enhanced support for the biohealth sector, including fostering 110,000 talents by 2027 and creating a 150 billion-won special fund for Phase 3 clinical trials of Korean biopharmaceutical firms. It also plans to expand a 430 billion-won fund for AI-based cultural content creation.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, who chaired the meeting, assessed that "despite challenges following the launch of the new administration, such as U.S. tariff negotiations and sluggish domestic demand, our economy has turned toward a recovery." He added, "The government will now focus all efforts on helping the Korean economy make a full-fledged leap forward by pushing for a rebound in the country's potential growth rate in 2026." The initiative focuses on bolstering Korea's logistics competitiveness and stabilizing exports amid global supply chain uncertainties.
