South Korea adds 29 firms to supply chain stabilization program, bringing total to 216

The South Korean government has designated 29 additional private companies as supply chain stabilization leaders, bringing the cumulative total to 216 firms, as it moves to counter growing global supply chain risks. The newly designated companies will receive financial support through the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund, including expanded loan limits and preferential interest rates.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy announced Wednesday that it had selected 29 companies in the critical minerals, secondary battery and logistics sectors as "first-half 2026 supply chain stabilization leaders." The government has designated leaders twice a year since the second half of 2024, providing policy financing and other support.

The latest selections focused on companies contributing to the expansion of domestic and overseas production bases and to supply chain stabilization, reflecting the growing importance of securing stable access to economically critical goods and services amid the recent deterioration in the Middle East. The government accepted applications from April and finalized the list after review by related ministries.

With the new additions, the cumulative number of designated leaders stands at 216. By company size, the group comprises 57 large corporations, 62 mid-sized firms, 95 small and medium-sized enterprises, one public institution and one cooperative. The newly selected companies will be designated as priority recipients of the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund, entitling them to expanded loan limits and preferential interest rates.

Since its launch in September 2024 through the end of May this year, the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund has provided a total of 13.4 trillion won ($8.65 billion) to designated leaders and other recipients. Starting this year, the government has also fully rolled out a "supply chain mutual-growth finance program," offering preferential interest rates of up to 2.4 percentage points to large-company leaders and their small and mid-sized suppliers that have joined mutual-growth agreements.

"In an environment of expanding global supply chain uncertainty, we will continue to identify and support the core companies driving supply chain stabilization, work closely with them to cushion domestic and external supply chain shocks, and strengthen efforts to improve supply chain structures," said Lee Seung-wook, director general for economic supply chain planning at the ministry.