KTC leads the growth of future advanced industries... Expanding domestic and international testing and certification hubs
Secures a large number of major projects in new growth industries after 20 months
Expanding overseas hubs to support export companies in targeting global markets
Launching new businesses to respond to 'future mobility, AI, and decarbonizatio
▲ Panoramic view of KTC's Gunpo headquarters
Recently, the world has been presenting various survival strategies amid rapidly changing tides. Countries are swiftly moving to secure their positions in the market, focusing on initiatives such as carbon neutrality to combat natural disasters like climate change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which integrates advanced digital technologies. The South Korean government and public institutions are also in the process of formulating mid- to long-term plans to adapt to these changes.
[D], a series planned by Dailyan, aims to shed light on the new ventures of the government and public institutions and foster a virtuous cycle in the Korean economy through these efforts. Just as one must 'log in' to access a network, we hope to highlight the renewed role of the government and public institutions in driving the Korean economy. <Editor’s Note>
Since its establishment in 1969, the Korea Testing Certification (KTC) has been conducting testing, certification, and research and development across various sectors for 55 years, including electricity and electronics, metrology, medical devices, energy, machinery and logistics, petrochemicals, and green industries.
KTC, an internationally accredited testing and certification organization, has its headquarters in Gunpo and operates a total of 12 domestic hubs, including Seongnam, Bundang, Poseung, Asan, Hongseong, Ochang, Eumseong, Samcheok, Daegu, Yangsan, and Gokseong. It is also establishing new centers in Wonju, Cheongju, and Changwon. Internationally, KTC has six branches in five countries, including China (Shanghai, Shenzhen), Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnam, and Germany.
In January last year, KTC set its core value of ‘a safe and reliable society’ and its vision to become ‘a globally competitive testing and certification body leading the digital and green transformation of industries.’ It also established three key management goals: ‘corporate growth, regional innovation, and a strong trading nation.’
Furthermore, KTC has signed agreements with 68 organizations across 36 countries to mutually recognize KTC’s test reports. It also carries out activities to respond to trade technical barriers (TBT), such as collecting and analyzing information on foreign technical regulations to support export companies seeking to enter overseas markets.
Newly established 13 strategic sectors... Pursuing various projects
▲KTC's 13 Strategic Areas of Management
KTC has selected 13 strategic areas across three major sectors: 'digital transformation, green transformation, and future growth industries/nationally significant industries.' A roadmap for these areas has been established and is being executed. As a result, over the 20-month period from 2023 to the end of August 2024, KTC secured a series of major projects related to new future industries such as 'future mobility' and 'ODA (Official Development Assistance),' along with the expansion of domestic and international hubs.
KTC has also collaborated with corporations, government bodies, and local governments to discover promising future projects tailored to regional hubs. On the global front, the organization has achieved notable success by establishing additional overseas offices and securing ODA projects to enhance its global competitiveness. Building on these accomplishments, KTC plans to continue executing large-scale regional projects and pursue business strategies by region to evolve into a leading global testing and certification organization, securing future growth engines.
Secures a large number of major projects in new growth industries within 20 months
▲Current Status of KTC's Major Domestic Projects
As a result of actively pursuing new business opportunities, KTC has secured large-scale projects worth approximately 131 billion KRW over the past 20 months. KTC is currently operating infrastructure centers in Asan and Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, with a total value of 56 billion KRW, and plans to establish testing and certification centers in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, and Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, through an investment of 21 billion KRW.
Key large-scale projects include the following: a 39 billion KRW project to establish a battery fire safety assessment center for electric vehicles (EV) in Cheongju, a 33 billion KRW project for a reliability verification center for future vehicle semiconductor systems in Wonju, Gangwon Province, a 20 billion KRW hydrogen metering reliability project in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, a 24 billion KRW wearable robot demonstration center in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, and a 15 billion KRW project for the development of a mobile modular vertiport design, construction technology, and monitoring system. These projects are closely linked to South Korea's national strategic industries and its future growth engines.
KTC is also launching the operation of two major centers: a 24 billion KRW Sleep Industry Promotion Center in Asan and a 32 billion KRW Automotive Parts Certification Support Center in Hongseong. Through its own investments, KTC will establish a 19 billion KRW EV battery performance testing infrastructure in Cheongju and a 2 billion KRW hydrogen and defense testing certification center in Changwon, contributing to corporate growth and regional industrial development.
▲ Status of KTC's Overseas Hubs
KTC is continuously expanding its overseas hubs to enhance global competitiveness and support the export expansion of South Korean companies. This includes the establishment of additional overseas offices and strengthening ODA (Official Development Assistance) projects. KTC has expanded its presence from 4 overseas branches in 3 countries (China—Shanghai and Shenzhen, Indonesia, UAE) to 6 branches in 5 countries, including newly established offices in Vietnam and Germany, while developing and implementing regional global strategies.
In the China region, KTC is developing strategies to respond to C-commerce platforms like Alibaba and Temu and has designated additional testing facilities for batteries and IT/AV in Shenzhen. In the ASEAN region, KTC is advancing projects related to the electric two-wheeler charging ecosystem and hydrogen charging and generation infrastructure. In the Middle East, KTC is providing total Middle Eastern certification services for key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen) by adding efficiency certification bodies in Yemen and Kuwait. In Europe, KTC is enhancing support for new regulatory responses, including MDR (Medical Device Regulation) and CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), for South Korean export companies.
KTC is also strengthening its ODA initiatives, securing and executing projects such as a 20 billion KRW elevator R&D park in Kazakhstan and a 14 billion KRW high-purity rare metals production support project in Uzbekistan. Future plans include supporting South Korean companies' overseas expansion with projects such as a 30 billion KRW hydrogen charging and generation infrastructure project in Indonesia, a 18 billion KRW electric two-wheeler charging ecosystem project, and a 7 billion KRW battery safety performance evaluation center and integrated management system project in Cambodia.
KTC is focusing on responding to 'future mobility, AI, and decarbonization' as key areas for new business development.
▲ Current Status of KTC's Global Large-Scale Projects (ODA Projects)
KTC plans to focus on new business initiatives that respond to the paradigm shift driven by 'digital and green transformation' worldwide, with an emphasis on 'future mobility, artificial intelligence (AI), and decarbonization.' 'Future mobility' represents a key area of digital and green transformation in the industry.
Digital transformation is linked to autonomous driving, software (SW), electronic devices, and vehicle semiconductors, while green transformation involves batteries, motors, and chargers. These elements of the future mobility value chain have potential for expansion into robots, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), and hydrogen vehicles. KTC is working with relevant organizations and local governments to support technological innovation in future mobility enterprises, undertaking large-scale projects in EV batteries, vehicle semiconductors, and UAM.
In the Cheongju Ochang Techno Valley, a hub for secondary batteries and a national high-tech strategic industry special zone, KTC plans to establish an EV battery fire safety and performance evaluation center by December 2026. This project, which includes internal investments, will involve two infrastructure developments totaling 58 billion KRW. In the Wonju Buron Industrial Complex, where a semiconductor cluster will be developed, KTC will establish a 33 billion KRW semiconductor reliability verification center by December 2027, creating a total testing bed capable of validating vehicle semiconductors and electronic modules and systems.
Additionally, KTC is participating in a 15 billion KRW government-supported UAM vertiport technology development project to support the establishment of a Korean urban air mobility (K-UAM) safety operation system. Last November, KTC opened a 32 billion KRW automotive parts certification support center in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, in collaboration with the Korea Automobile Safety Institute, actively supporting the transition of related companies to future vehicles.
In the AI sector, KTC plans to develop international standard-based AI reliability evaluation procedures and enhance cybersecurity-related work to provide 'AI safety testing services.' Through the Industrial AI International Certification Forum, KTC will strengthen collaborative networks with government, local authorities, and testing and certification organizations, and actively collaborate with AI associations and global certification bodies to establish an 'AI quality testing and certification system' to improve data and AI certification quality. KTC will also actively promote 'global AI safety and security testing services' to support the export of domestic AI companies in response to AI regulations in advanced countries like the US and Europe.
In the 'decarbonization' sector, following its selection as the top agency for clean hydrogen certification testing by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy last year, KTC will participate in a 6.3 billion KRW 'Clean Hydrogen Certification Pilot Project' over the next three years to support the hydrogen industry ecosystem. KTC plans to offer 'carbon neutrality one-stop consulting services' by performing verification roles in carbon reduction areas such as carbon footprint, CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), RE100, and CFE (Carbon-Free Energy). KTC will also actively participate in government R&D projects for carbon neutrality, such as those for fluorinated greenhouse gases and clean methanol, to support technological development for companies.
KTC President An Seong-il stated, 'If 2023 was the year of transformation for KTC to prepare for the future, then the first half of 2024 will be the time to reap the fruits of our efforts in 2023, secure major projects, and lay the foundation for expansion. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance our testing and certification services, expand R&D and infrastructure development, and strive to become a globally competitive testing and certification organization.
▲An Seong-il, President of KTC
