[MinRes Announces Restart of Bald Hill Lithium Mine]

Korea’s auto industry maintained solid exports and production in 2025, but its 2030 competitiveness will depend on EV transition execution. The domestic market has matured, while hybrids have become a defensive pillar. EV adoption remains below the government’s target, and U.S.-EU policy pressure and Chinese EV competition are reshaping export strategies. Future competitiveness will hinge on pricing, localization, battery sourcing, and charging and safety confidence.

According to industry sources on May 16, EVE Energy recently said in a statement that it will supply Godawari with an initial 8 GWh of battery storage capacity, laying the groundwork to expand the volume to up to 60 GWh over the next five years. EVE Energy plans to supply its flagship 628 Ah large-capacity battery cells for the project.

Kangwon Energy announced on May 15 that it posted consolidated revenue of KRW 52.2 billion for the first quarter, down 2.6% from a year earlier. The decline partly reflected reduced equipment investment amid a slowdown in the secondary battery market. However, the company’s secondary battery materials business, led by lithium materials, continued to grow and helped support overall earnings. Revenue from the secondary battery materials segment increased by around 65% year on year in the first quarter, offsetting a significant portion of the decline in equipment sales, according to the company.