South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is distributing videos and reports to provide information on responding to protectionist trade measures. The ministry said on Tuesday it will strengthen digital promotion and communication to help address difficulties faced by exporters as protectionist measures expand in major countries.

As part of efforts to provide accurate information and resolve difficulties faced by companies involved in trade and commerce, it is producing and distributing a video series titled "Tips for responding to U.S. tariffs, explained by Mr Kim from the industry ministry". The videos were produced in cooperation with the ministry's departments responsible for export support, U.S. trade, and trade law, as well as KOTRA and the Korea Institute of Origin Information. A deputy director in charge of tariff responses at the Trade Promotion Division appears in the videos, covering issues companies are often confused about, including non-preferential rules of origin, calculating the value of steel and aluminium content, tariff refunds and post-clearance verification.

The ministry will also distribute the "Tariff Response 119 Report" on a biweekly basis with 11 partner agencies of Tariff Response 119, a whole-of-government integrated consultation channel for tariff-related difficulties. The partner agencies include KOTRA, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency and aT. The report will include global trends in protectionist measures, major whole-of-government support programmes, company response cases and expert columns.

A ministry official said the videos and report were structured around the issues companies ask about most regarding protectionist measures. The official added the ministry will continue to provide useful information effectively and strengthen communication with the field.