South Korea and Japan are ramping up their mineral resources partnership as competition intensifies on the global stage. The two nations recognize that securing stable access to critical minerals—essential for everything from semiconductor production to mining hardware—has become increasingly vital. With supply chain vulnerabilities exposed in recent years, both countries are looking to strengthen their collaborative framework. This move reflects a broader strategy to reduce dependency on single-source suppliers and build regional resilience. Experts see this as a strategic play to secure key materials that support the broader tech and energy sectors, positioning Seoul and Tokyo as more competitive players in the increasingly contested global resource market.