Civil-Government Joint 'Heugyeon Supply Response TF' Launched: "Full Effort to Secure Uninterrupted Supply"

In response to the Chinese government's graphite export controls, the South Korean government has decided to implement countermeasures to ensure uninterrupted supply, including the operation of a 'Graphite Supply Response Task Force (TF)'.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a 'Public-Private Joint Graphite Supply Chain Response Meeting' chaired by First Vice Minister Jang Young-jin at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where they agreed to pursue these countermeasures regarding China's graphite export controls.

This meeting was a follow-up to the emergency inspection meeting held on the day of China's announcement (the 20th), aimed at preparing more concrete response plans. Relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the three major domestic battery companies, POSCO Future M, the Battery Association, the Materials, Parts, and Equipment Supply Chain Center (KOTRA, Korea International Trade Association, Korea Machinery Industry Promotion Association), and the Korea Mining Industry Promotion Agency participated.

At the meeting, the industry requested that the government maintain continuous communication with the Chinese government from a trade perspective and emphasized the need for national interest and support to establish a stable graphite supply chain both domestically and internationally in the mid to long term.

First, the government decided to work with the industry to implement measures to stabilize graphite supply. To ensure the industry can secure additional quantities without disruption, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and related organizations (such as KOTRA) will jointly operate the Graphite Supply Response TF starting from the 23rd to provide close support.

Additionally, to prevent delays or rejections in the approval of import volumes by our industry, multi-layered diplomatic channels including high-level cooperation with the Chinese government will be widely activated to maintain close communication and consultation.

Alongside this, domestically, the government plans to actively support the early operation and expansion of production capacity at the artificial graphite production plant scheduled to start next year. Along with these short-term responses, efforts will be made to secure alternative supplies from countries with graphite reserves such as Tanzania and Mozambique, and to actively develop graphite substitutes like silicon anode materials, thereby enhancing capabilities for graphite supply chain self-reliance and diversification. The government also plans to implement necessary measures according to graphite supply conditions and situations through a contingency plan.

Vice Minister Jang said, "Given the significant concerns about the impact of this measure on our advanced industries, we plan to keep all possibilities open and prepare meticulously," adding, "The public and private sectors will closely cooperate to ensure there is no disruption in graphite supply."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.