중국의 핵심광물 공급망 강화 전략과 시사점(China’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain Strengthening Strategies and Implications)

Joo Hye Kim and Pyoung Seob Yang
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Joo Hye Kim: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Pyoung Seob Yang: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

No 25-2, Policy Reference from Korea Institute for International Economic Policy

Abstract: 탄소중립 실현을 위해 태양광 패널, 풍력 터빈 등 재생에너지 발전과 전기차(배터리) 보급이 전 세계적으로 확대되면서 이 제품들의 원료인 핵심광물에 대한 수요가 급증하고 있다. 문제는 중국이 채굴(원광·정광)부터 정·제련(기초·가공 금속), 재자원화(스크랩)에 이르기까지 글로벌 핵심광물 공급망 전 단계에서 주도적인 위치를 차지하고 있다는 점이다. 특히 정·제련 분야에서 중국의 영향력은 압도적이며, 채굴 단계에서도 일부 광물에 대해 상당한 지배력을 행사하고 있다. 이에 미국, EU, 일본 등 주요국과 함께 한국정부도 대중국 의존도 축소(탈중국)와 에너지 구조 전환(탈탄소)을 목표로 핵심광물의 공급 안정화 전략을 강화하고 있다. 특히 한국은 전기차 배터리와 반도체 등 첨단산업의 주요 제조국임에도, 리튬·코발트·니켈 등 핵심광물 정·제련 제품의 대중국 수입의존도가 70%를 넘어 공급망 취약성이 높다. Together with the global expansion of projects to realize carbon neutrality, demand for key minerals—used as raw materials for renewable energy power generation such as solar panels and wind turbines, as well as for electric vehicles (batteries)—is rapidly increasing. One major concern is that China holds a dominant position across all stages of the global critical minerals supply chain, from mining (ore and concentrate) to refining and smelting (basic and processed metals), and recycling (scrap). In particular, China’s influence in the refining and smelting sector is overwhelming, and the nation also exerts significant control over the mining stage for certain minerals. In response, major countries including the United States, the EU, Japan, and the Korean government are strategically working to establish stable supply chains in this area, aiming to reduce reliance on China (de-Chinaization) and to transition energy structures towards decarbonization. Notably, although Korea is a major manufacturer in advanced industries such as electric vehicle batteries and semiconductors, its dependence on China for refined and processed products of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel exceeds 70%, posing significant vulnerabilities in its supply chain.

Keywords: China; Critical Mineral; Supply Chain; Economic Security; Economic Cooperation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 196
Date: 2025-08-14
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