Republic of Korea

India views South Korea as an indispensable partner in its "Act East" strategy

Twinning Agreements

New Delhi and Seoul, South Korea Chennai and Ulsan, South Korea Jaipur and Pocheon, South Korea Mumbai and Busan, South Korea

2023 marks 50 years of successful diplomatic ties with India

Bilateral relationship with India upgraded to special strategic partnership

South Korea and India have joint R&D projects in renewable energy, materials science, robotics & engineering sciences

South Korean conglomerates Samsung, LG, and Hyundai have significant investments in India. In addition, over 603 large and small South Korean firms have offices in India

ROK launched an initiative ‘Korea Plus’ in India to promote and facilitate Korean investments in India

Samsung inaugurated world’s largest mobile handset manufacturing facility in India in 2018

South Korea is the 13th largest FDI investor in India

As per the Ease of Doing Business report for 2019, South Korea is ranked 5th among 190 countries globally

US$ 5,400mn
FDI inflow into India from April 2000 to December 2022

US$27.88bn

is bilateral trade value in 2022-2023

13,585
Indians living in South Korea

4th

largest economy in Asia, with a GDP of US$ 1.6 trillion

12th

largest economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP)

Ship building

One of the world's largest ship builders

5th

largest manufacturer in the world, of passenger cars and auto parts

6th

largest steel manufacturer in the world

Strong

capabilities in mobile phones, consumer electronics, household whitegoods manufacturing

Trade

5th largest exporter and 9th largest importer in the world

Beauty

South Korea is widely viewed as the epicentre of beauty trends, innovation and technology

Competitiveness

South Korea is the 15th most competitive nation in the world out of 140 countries ranked in the Global Competitiveness Report 2018 published by the World Economic Forum

India-Korea (ROK) Bilateral Relations

A summary of the bilateral engagements between India and the Republic of Korea.

Series of MoUs signed during the Prime Minister's State visit to Republic of Korea in February 2019

The two countries signed a MoUs on trade, start-up collaboration, law enforcement, road and transport infrastructure among others

MoUs signed during State Visit of President of Korea to India in July 2018

The two countries signed MoUs for cooperation on trade, cutting edge technologies, science and technology,cultural relations, biotechnology, modernisation of telecommunications/ICT, and railways

India and Republic of Korea: A Vision for People, Prosperity, Peace and our Future

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) H.E. Mr. Moon Jae-in paid a State Visit to India from July 8-11, 2018. During the visit, President Moon and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi elaborated the following shared vision for peace and prosperity for the people of the two countries.

Telephone Conversation between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Korea

During the telephone conversation, the leaders discussed the continuation of bilateral relations in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

India's Exports and Imports to Republic of Korea

Source: Department of Commerce

Values in US $ Millions

Country / Region: KOREA RP

S.No.	\Year	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023
1.	EXPORT	4,705.07	4,845.15	4,684.62	8,085.03	6,654.10
2.	%Growth		2.98	-3.31	72.59	-17.70
3.	India’s Total Export	330,078.09	313,361.04	291,808.48	422,004.40	450,958.43
4.	%Growth		-5.06	-6.88	44.62	6.86
5.	%Share	1.43	1.55	1.61	1.92	1.48
6.	IMPORT	16,758.97	15,659.70	12,772.97	17,477.20	21,227.32
7.	%Growth		-6.56	-18.43	36.83	21.46
8.	India’s Total Import	514,078.42	474,709.28	394,435.88	613,052.05	714,042.45
9.	%Growth		-7.66	-16.91	55.43	16.47
10.	%Share	3.26	3.30	3.24	2.85	2.97
11.	TOTAL TRADE	21,464.04	20,504.85	17,457.59	25,562.24	27,881.42
12.	%Growth		-4.47	-14.86	46.42	9.07
13.	India’s Total Trade	844,156.51	788,070.32	686,244.36	1,035,056.45	1,165,000.88
14.	%Growth		-6.64	-12.92	50.83	12.55
15.	%Share	2.54	2.60	2.54	2.47	2.39
16.	TRADE BALANCE	-12,053.90	-10,814.55	-8,088.35	-9,392.17	-14,573.21
17.	India’s Trade Balance	-184,000.33	-161,348.24	-102,627.40	-191,047.65	-263,084.03

Invest Korea

+82-1600-7119

Visit Website

13, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Embassy of India, Seoul

hoc.pyongyang[@mea.gov.in

+850-2-381-7215

Visit Website

6, Munsudong, District Daedonggang, Pyongyang, DPR Korea

Opportunities

Agricultural exports

Other juices (200989)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Beer made from malt (220300)
Ethyl alcohol & oth. spirits, denatured, of any strength (220720)
Mineral waters (nat./art.) & aerated waters, not cont. added sugar/oth. swe … (220110)
Whiskies (220830)
Wine other than sparkling wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified; grape must with fermentation prevented/arrested by the addition of alcohol, in containters of 2 l/less (220421)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Cuts & edible offal of species Gallus domesticus, frozen (020714)
Edible offal of bovine animals (excl. tongues & livers), frozen (020629)
Edible offal of swine (excl. liver), frozen (020649)
Edible parts of plants, prepd./presvd., whether or not cont. added sugar/ot … (200899)
Guts, bladders & stomachs of animals (other than fish), whole & pieces ther … (050400)
Meat of bovine animals, fresh/chilled (excl. of 0201.10), bone-in (020120)
Meat of bovine animals, fresh/chilled, boneless (020130)
Meat of bovine animals, frozen (excl. of 0202.10), bone-in (020220)
Meat of bovine animals, frozen, boneless (020230)
Meat of sheep (excl. lamb & carcasses), frozen, bone-in (020442)
Meat of swine (excl. carcasses/half-carcasses/hams/shoulders & cuts thereof ), fresh/chilled (020319)
Meat of swine (excl. carcasses/half-carcasses/hams/shoulders & cuts thereof ), froxen (020329)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits & oth. bakers’ wares n.e.s. in Ch.19, whethe … (190590)
Sugar confectionery other than chewing gum (incl. white chocolate), not con … (170490)
Sweet biscuits (190531)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. (220710)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Food preps., n.e.s. (210690)
OTHR EDBL MXR/PRPNS OF ANML/VEGTBL FATS/ OILS/OF FRACTNS OF DIFFRNT FATS/OILS (151790)
Preparations for infant use, put up for RS (190110)
Prepared/presvd. preps. of fowls of the genus Gallus domesticus (excl. homo … (160232)
Sauces & preps. therefor, n.e.s.; mixed condiments & mixed seasonings, n.e. … (210390)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Employment Opportunities

*Information subject to changes amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Academic research and doctoral-level studies

South Korea ranks 12 out of the 35 countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s “Worldwide Educating for the Future Index.” South Korean universities attract large number of students and researchers from around the world.

Ministry of Education Employment Permit System

Public and private infrastructure building, maintenance

South Korea’s construction sector has been a leading force of export earnings for the economy. Construction of civic infrastructure and connectivity projects have been supported by foreign workers at different levels in South Korea.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Employment Permit System

Artist, athlete, leader of art, culture and sport sector

South Korean has a strong interest in culture, art and sport sector by accessing easily through IT development. South Korean been contributing to expand culture area and rich culture experiences.

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Employment Permit System

Doctors, nurses, radiologists, lab technicians

Economic development has aided steady improvement in healthcare in South Korea. South Korea attracts healthcare workers ranging from doctors to nurses and lab technicians.

Ministry of Health and Welfare Employment Permit System

Software, hardware, new technology

South Korea’s technological capabilities currently meet or exceed global standards, powered by the best of talent from around the world. The IT and ICT infrastructure in South Korea has been set up and is supported by foreign workers.

Ministry of Science and ICT Employment Permit System

Automobile to food products production

Manufacturing is a major driving force behind South Korea’s rapid economic growth, cementing the nation as an industrial giant. The manufacturing industry in South Korea, covering a range of products, draws foreign manpower.

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Employment Permit System

Faculty positions up to university

South Korea has one of the highest teacher-to-student ratio among developed economies. The education sector in South Korea, ranging from schools to universities, draw foreign teaching staff from different disciplines.

Ministry of Education Employment Permit System