The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises said on the 26th that it held the "2026 first root industry committee" at KBIZ in Yeouido, Seoul.
The root industry committee was formed to seek ways to strengthen the competitiveness of root industries—the backbone of manufacturing such as mold, casting, and plastic working—and to jointly respond to related pending issues. Park Pyeong-jae, chairperson of the Korea Surface Finishing Industry Cooperative, is serving as chairperson.
At the meeting, Lee Jae-ha, head of the root industry policy office at the National Center for Root Industry Promotion, introduced the "2026 root company support programs and systems," and Lee Sang-ho, CEO of Impex and the inaugural president of the Korea Autonomous Manufacturing Platform Association, gave a presentation on "AI application cases and directions for the root industry."
Chairperson Lee Sang-ho shared successful cases of AI adoption across various root sectors, including auto parts, mold and injection, and plating, and emphasized the need to shift to an "autonomous manufacturing system" that connects the entire manufacturing process beyond individual process units.
In the subsequent roundtable, participants discussed current issues facing the root industry. Commissioners noted the growing burden of industrial electricity rates in recent years and said that, regarding the government's "regionally differentiated electricity rate system" to be unveiled within the year, rate design should consider the industry's acceptance and include consideration for existing corporations located in the greater Seoul area.
They also stressed that despite the expanded scope of the root industry, related budgets are on the decline, and that practical measures are needed to strengthen industrial competitiveness, such as increasing budgets and improving workforce training systems.
Chairperson Park Pyeong-jae said, "The difficulties of the root industry are growing due to rising energy expenses, chronic labor shortages, and the onslaught of low-priced Chinese products," adding, "If the root industry falters, the overall manufacturing competitiveness of Korea could wobble; systematic development at the national level and on-site, field-centered support must back it up."