European companies operating in South Korea called for closer cooperation with Korean firms in advanced defense fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. They also said certification and testing procedures for electric vehicles should be streamlined.
The European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) held a press conference on Sept. 30 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul's Jung-gu district to mark the publication of the "ECCK White Paper 2026." The ECCK gathers member company views each year and submits regulatory improvement proposals to the Korean government. This year's white paper contains 82 recommendations from 15 sector committees and three forums.
The ECCK's Aerospace and Defense Committee asked the government to improve the predictability and transparency of the offset trade program applied to exports and imports, and to set clear evaluation criteria for advanced technology projects in areas such as AI, cybersecurity and quantum technology.
"The Defense Acquisition Program Administration often opens projects only to Korean companies or applies unclear standards to foreign firms," said Francois Piolet, chair of the ECCK Aerospace and Defense Committee. "European defense companies have been welcomed in other overseas bidding markets recently, so if Korea opens up participation in areas of advanced technology that it lacks, both sides could cooperate by making good use of their respective strengths."
The ECCK Passenger Car Committee proposed improving EV certification and testing procedures and expanding the harmonization of advanced automotive technologies with international standards and mutual recognition. "If Korea and Europe raise regulatory consistency and reduce unnecessary differences based on the spirit of the free trade agreement and international standards, it will contribute greatly to expanding EV adoption and introducing advanced new technologies to Korean consumers more quickly," said Kim Hong-joong, chair of the committee.
On the offshore wind industry, Lee Hyun-seung, chair of the ECCK Energy and Environment Committee, said: "The bidding system after the sunset of the Renewable Portfolio Standard and measures to adjust settlement prices to reflect inflation must be clarified, and criteria for calculating fees for the occupation and use of public waters must be established promptly." He added that this "will promote the joint growth of not only the domestic offshore wind industry but also related industries such as shipbuilding, steel, submarine cables and engineering, procurement and construction."
Anna Maria Boy, chair of the ECCK Healthcare Committee, said: "To raise the future competitiveness of Korea's healthcare industry, an environment must be created in which patients can gain faster access to innovative treatments and the value of innovative drugs and diagnostic devices can be fairly recognized." She proposed faster reimbursement listing for innovative new drugs, improvements to drug value assessment criteria, and mutual recognition of Good Manufacturing Practice standards for pharmaceuticals between Korea and the European Union.
The ECCK Food Committee presented measures to improve the efficiency and accessibility of Korea's food regulatory environment, including the digitization of health certificates and an expansion of English-language guidelines on packaging rules. The ECCK Alcoholic Beverages Committee said: "For the sustainable growth and stronger competitiveness of Korea's liquor industry, a regulatory environment is needed that meets international standards while promoting fair competition and responding to future changes." The committee called for allowing online sales of alcoholic beverages, introducing a volume-based liquor tax, and reviewing the requirement to attach radio-frequency identification tags to whisky.
