Seoul: The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on Monday identified global supply chain shifts, the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, and the popularity of Korean content as areas of opportunities for the country overseas in 2026, officials said. The country's trade agency shared its outlook on market opportunities for the Korean economy in 2026 in a virtual global market strategy meeting, held along with the government's commercial attaches stationed in overseas missions, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

According to Yonhap News Agency, KOTRA indicated that local companies will be able to find new opportunities related to the United States' push to rebuild its manufacturing sector, with a focus on advanced industries, and Europe's plan to diversify its supply chains for strategic industries. The agency also pointed to China's push for an AI transition of its manufacturing industries and emerging economies' investment plan in AI infrastructure as business opportunities for Korean firms.

KOTRA added that Korean consumer goods manufacturers can find growth opportunities in India and Latin America with the rising popularity of Korean lifestyle products in the region. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo noted that companies will continue to face an uneasy global market environment next year with the continued expansion of trade protectionism and pledged to help Korean firms seize new business growth opportunities.