Samil PwC Management Research Institute forecasted that advanced technology-related industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), pharmaceuticals and bio, defense and aerospace, nuclear power, and shipbuilding will become the backbone of Korea's industry next year.
The Management Research Institute released the report titled "2025 Industry Outlook, Finding a Breakthrough for Korean Industry" on the 13th, which includes this forecast and analysis. The report separately analyzed the annual outlook for next year along with industry-specific forecasts considering the Trump administration's policies.
According to the report, the AI sector, which has become an icon of rapid growth, will see the full-scale opening of the 'AI Agent' era. An AI agent refers to a generative AI system-based technology that autonomously recognizes the environment, analyzes data, learns, and solves problems without human intervention. AI experts from Nvidia and Microsoft identified AI agents as the core technology of AI next year, and big tech companies plan to actively launch related services.
The report stated, "The second Trump administration will apply 'America First' to the AI sector as well, aiming to dominate AI hegemony to counter China," and added, "In preparation for the U.S. structuring the AI industry around domestic companies, Korean companies need to seek business expansion through partnerships with U.S. AI firms."
In the defense industry, the defense export market is expected to grow. The report noted, "There is a possibility of a decline in weapons demand following the end of the Russia-Ukraine war and competition between Korean companies and U.S. defense contractors over exports to the Middle East," but forecasted, "On a macro level, global weapons purchasing demand will increase due to U.S. pressure to raise defense spending, leading to growth in the defense export market."
The report analyzed that Trump’s policies could be an opportunity factor for the domestic shipbuilding industry. If the Trump administration returns to power and U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports resume, orders for LNG vessels will increase, and orders related to maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) of U.S. naval vessels are also expected to rise. The report stated, "Overall, the shipbuilding industry will continue its boom cycle, which could lead to improved performance for domestic shipbuilders."
Hong Jun-ki, head of the audit division at Samil PwC, advised, "For domestic industries to gain competitiveness, the key factor determining future productivity gaps will be the adoption and utilization of advanced technologies rather than capital investment or achieving economies of scale as in the past." He added, "Industries with a high proportion of low value-added products should expand their portfolios to high value-added products and enter the global market through research and development (R&D) investment related to advanced technologies." For more detailed information on the report, please refer to the Samil PwC Management Research Institute website.
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