The "Survey on the Current Situation and Future Prospects of Competitiveness Among South Korea, the United States, Japan, and China" reveals that by 2030, South Korea is projected to lose its competitive edge over China in all ten of its currently leading export industries. Specifically, by 2025, South Korea is expected to maintain a lead over China in five sectors, including semiconductors. In contrast, China has already established a competitive advantage in five other industries, such as steel, and this gap is anticipated to widen further. Moreover, within the next five years, China is forecast to overtake South Korea in the five major industries where South Korea currently holds an edge.

When compared with the United States, South Korea currently leads in only three industries. By 2030, the United States is expected to surpass South Korea even in the steel sector. South Korean companies attribute the decline in their competitiveness primarily to the reduced competitiveness of domestic products and escalating external risks. Simultaneously, they face significant challenges stemming from a shrinking population, which dampens domestic demand, and a scarcity of core technical talent.