The Catena-X Association fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration among global corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises by establishing committees and expert groups that focus on specific subject areas. These groups play a crucial role in advancing the network and realizing shared objectives.
Expert Groups & Committees at Catena-X
Driving innovation and collaboration

Benefits of joining Expert Groups and Committees
By participating in an expert group or committee, members can contribute their expertise, help shape and refine standards, and actively influence the evolution of the Catena-X ecosystem. This not only supports personal and professional development but also promotes progress across the entire industry.
Our Committees and Expert Groups
Committees are specialized bodies appointed by the Board to address specific topics or tasks. Their mandate is to define the vision, mission, and roadmap within their respective domains. Expert groups are established by these committees to work on more targeted issues.
Each expert group focuses on a clearly defined topic with the goal of defining standards, refining methodologies, addressing regulatory requirements, and developing innovative solutions for productive use within Catena-X. Whether it’s enhancing the PCF rulebook, building digital product passports, or enabling secondary data provision – these groups bring theory and practice together.
At the core of their work lies open dialogue with members, external partners, and the open-source community Tractus-X. New groups are formed wherever emerging requirements, technologies, or regulatory frameworks demand collective innovation – always with the goal of driving the industrial transformation forward.
What follows is an in-depth overview of the current activities, results, and priorities of each expert group. We regularly share updates, new publications, and opportunities for involvement within the Catena-X ecosystem.
You can find an overview of our expert groups here:

Architecture Management
Ensuring that the architecture blueprints effectively translate the Catena-X strategy and business objectives into a technical implementation.
Data Space Operations Committee (DSOC)
Objective
The DSOC is responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the Catena-X data space from a governance perspective. It oversees processes, makes strategic decisions (e.g., release cycles, deployment gates), and continuously updates the operating model. The committee also collaborates with operating partners such as Cofinity-X and ensures interoperability with other data spaces to maintain a robust and future-proof ecosystem.
Current Status
- Ongoing improvement of the operating model
- Identifying solutions to operational challenges
- Developing proposals to enhance data space operations
- Managing the Deployment Gate process
- Ensuring compatibility with other data spaces
Ecosystem Activation Committee
Objective
This committee focuses on driving the effective growth of the Catena-X ecosystem by promoting network activation, harmonizing communication, and coordinating market-oriented optimizations. These efforts ensure the scalable and organic development of the ecosystem.
Current Status
The Ecosystem Activation Committee was established in Q4 2024 to coordinate hub activities and support the overarching goal of activating at least 1,000 users globally. The committee is currently developing a strategy and roadmap to support and harmonize hub initiatives.
Industry Core Committee
Refine the objectives and KIT related to the Industry Core to foster a productive use of the current standards and principles in the supply network.
Internationalization Committee
Objective
This committee is the driving force behind Catena-X’s global expansion. Its core responsibility is to initiate and establish new regional hubs around the world. Participation enables members to help shape the international rollout of Catena-X while deepening their understanding of global adoption strategies. It plays a highly representative role in strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.
Current Status
Over the past year, the committee focused intensively on North America, Spain, Sweden, Japan, and China. Highlights include:
- North America: Coordinated the IMDS/AIAG event, announced the launch of the North American hub, and led stakeholder engagements. The hub is now operational, with 30 actively participating companies.
- Spain: Established in cooperation with ANFAC and SERNAUTO, the Spanish hub has launched successfully and is supported by multiple local stakeholders.
- China: Developed a go-to-market strategy, launched key initiatives for Catena-X China operations, and established partnerships with local players. The group continues to refine the Catena-X concept for China and supports stakeholder delegations and industry meetups.
Network Services Committee
Further develop a common vision, strategy, business and technical roadmap for the shared network services in the Catena-X data space with Association members and external stakeholders.
Sustainability Committee
Mission
The Sustainability Committee ensures that sustainability use cases align with the Catena-X vision and promotes industry-wide collaboration. It defines roadmaps and manages requirements for standards and toolkits such as the PCF and DPP. The committee coordinates expert groups, engages in external initiatives, and unites stakeholders across the automotive value chain to enable scalable, data-driven sustainability solutions.
Current Status
Together with the Sustainability Business Domain Manager, the committee coordinates and governs Catena-X’s sustainability domain, covering key use cases such as PCF, Circularity, DPP, and ESG. As the central steering body, it has introduced mentorship roles to ensure alignment between expert groups and the Catena-X Board.
As a strategic hub, the committee has launched several expert groups to further strengthen sustainability efforts within the Catena-X ecosystem. It actively involves relevant stakeholders, supports strategic partnerships—such as with AIAG—and has driven the establishment of new Catena-X hubs in Spain, Sweden, Shanghai, and North America.
Additionally, the committee represents Catena-X at industry events, promoting its vision externally. To keep initiative members informed, it hosts quarterly soundings covering current developments, roadmaps, and outlooks.
Contact: sustainability(at)catena-x.net
Supply Chain & Quality Committee
Define a common vision, strategy, business and technical roadmap within the fields of quality and resiliency.
Technical Committee for Modelling
Assure quality for semantic models before their formal standardization as a Catena-X and ultimately, as an IDTA submodel template.
Technical Committee for Standardization
Manage the standardization process mandatory for the Catena-X data ecosystem and check standard candidates.
Mission
The Circular Economy Expert Group develops concepts, requirements, software solutions, standards, and data models to close material loops within the automotive industry. The goal is to share expertise through standardized approaches—such as the Circularity KIT—and create new content.
Three core focus areas include:
- New End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation
Supporting compliance with upcoming information and documentation obligations, including mandatory dismantling instructions, recycling certifications, Circularity Vehicle Passports, R-certificates, and more—based on the current draft revision of the ELV Regulation.
- R-Strategy Decisions and ELV Lifecycle Tracking
The CE Assistant documents decisions related to reuse, remanufacturing, or recycling (R-strategies), with the aim of transparently tracking the lifecycle of vehicle components and visualizing their transition into a “second life.”
- Trade of Secondary Raw Materials and Components via Digital Marketplaces
Supporting procurement decisions with additional product data across the network while creating transparency around supply and demand for secondary materials and components.
Current Status
The group has developed general descriptions of use cases and attribute models for remanufacturing, reuse, and material recovery. Detailed information on end-of-life information requirements can be found in the following whitepapers:
- Whitepaper: Information Requirements for Dismantling to Enable R-Strategies
- Whitepaper: Data Requirements for Automotive Recycling
With a solid conceptual foundation now in place, the next step is the further development of data models and the creation of technical and material-based prototypes. The goal is to align the setup more closely with value creation and drive standardization.
Mission
The automotive industry faces growing challenges such as emission reduction, increased recycling, and improved circularity. This expert group focuses on developing Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to make product life cycles—starting with batteries—digitally traceable.
Key topics include stakeholder collaboration, data security, and standardization to enable transparency and sustainability. Through close cooperation among manufacturers, recyclers, and policymakers, Catena-X is accelerating innovations for a circular economy and the widespread adoption of DPPs.
Current Status
The group has published a whitepaper titled “Digital Product Passports as Enablers for the Circular Economy,” outlining how DPPs fulfill three core functions: consolidating product data in a digital tool, meeting regulatory and sustainability requirements along the value chain, and enabling circular business models. DPPs support transparency, recycling, reuse, maintenance, and regulatory compliance in the automotive sector.
The group is currently conducting a gap analysis and updating the generic DPP data model to align with current regulations such as the ESPR, ELV, and other directives. Additionally, it is developing a robust framework for “data verification and validation” to ensure trustworthy data and enable informed decision-making.
Further areas of focus include enhancing the scalability and functionality of DPPs. The group also oversees the Eco Pass KIT on Tractus-X to ensure alignment and ongoing development.
Mission
This group monitors global sustainability requirements, regulatory frameworks, and standards with the aim of translating them into a practical monitoring tool for Catena-X members. By fostering collaboration within Catena-X and engaging external stakeholders, it enables early identification of relevant requirements, the development of harmonized approaches, and efficient compliance solutions.
Its work supports the sustainable transformation of the automotive value chain, drives innovation, and contributes to global regulatory alignment.
Current Status
The Regulatory Expert Group is currently in the formation phase. Stay tuned—initial results will be published here soon.
Objective
Over the past twelve months, we have developed a material accounting concept that defines a methodology and relevant attributes for tracking the share and proportion of secondary materials. This concept incorporates both regulatory and process-related requirements and has a direct impact on data flows and cost-efficient recycling processes.
Key challenges include developing a compliant data model, aligning with standardization bodies, engaging with regulatory authorities, and ensuring cost-effective recycling through proactive standard development.
Current Status
The Expert Group on Material Accounting is currently being established. Stay tuned—updates and initial results will be published here shortly.
Objective
The Expert Group on PCF Methodology and Verification ensures the ongoing development of the recognized Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) rulebook, enabling credible and comparable CO₂ footprint calculations. Key tasks include methodological advancement, alignment with regulatory requirements, integration of relevant initiatives (e.g., GBA, WBCSD), and regular updates to the rulebook based on community feedback.
The group is also responsible for the verification and certification of PCF data—an essential step toward credibility and the promotion of sustainable practices within the Catena-X ecosystem.
Current Status
The expert group has launched a dedicated sub-group focusing on PCF in electronics to analyze this domain and enhance the existing rulebook if necessary. In parallel, another team is developing a concept for providing secondary data.
Version 3.1 of the PCF rulebook was recently released alongside the March 25th system update. Preparations for version 4.0 are already underway.
Following the publication of the Catena-X verification framework, a dedicated workstream is focused on the topic of verification. This includes the development of a nomination process for verification bodies to integrate future auditors and bring the framework into practice.
Objective
This expert group aims to align the Catena-X PCF rulebook with existing industry standards for calculating Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) in the electronics sector. By involving stakeholders across the entire electronics value chain, the group seeks to harmonize calculation methods, integrate sector-specific rulebooks, and ensure consistency with ISO/IEC standards.
Its core objectives include developing unified PCF methodologies, defining IT tool requirements, and promoting collaboration for continuous improvement and seamless integration into Catena-X.
Current Status
The group has reviewed 14 CO₂ calculation methodologies for electronics. Members contributed their expertise to assess advantages, limitations, and compatibility with the Catena-X rulebook.
To support structured analysis, an evaluation matrix was developed based on defined criteria such as implementation effort, accuracy of PCF calculations, availability of input data, compatibility with the Catena-X rulebook, and data requirements.
Once sector-specific PCF rulebooks are deemed sufficiently mature, they are evaluated for full integration—either as a “drop-in” standard or with additional requirements—into the Catena-X PCF rulebook. This enables seamless integration into Catena-X reporting systems.
Objective
The Catena-X Expert Group on PCF Interoperability focuses on accelerating PCF reporting across the automotive supply chain. The group defines required data types (materials, processes, energy sources), mapping rules, and approximation methods for complex products.
Additionally, the group assembles initial datasets and proposes processes for regular updates. The overall goal is to close data gaps, simplify access to secondary data, and ensure comparability and traceability for all Catena-X members.
Current Status
The group has made significant progress in improving PCF reporting within the automotive industry. Following a call for participation, it received valuable feedback from Catena-X members regarding their secondary data needs.
The group is currently in the data collection phase, building a comprehensive secondary data pool based on the feedback received. In parallel, the feasibility of developing a proprietary database or connecting to an existing third-party solution is being assessed to further simplify data access and integration.
The aim is to align data collection precisely with Catena-X member needs and to enable efficient and accurate PCF reporting across the sector.
Objective
The Catena-X Expert Group for PCF Secondary Data Provisioning is driving efforts to boost PCF reporting across the automotive supply chain. Its core tasks include defining relevant data types (materials, processes, energy sources), developing mapping rules, and establishing approximation methods for calculating PCFs in complex products.
The group is compiling initial datasets and developing procedures for regular data updates. It aims to close existing data gaps by ensuring easy access to secondary data—while maintaining comparability and traceability for all Catena-X participants.
Current Status
The group has achieved major progress in advancing PCF reporting for the automotive sector. Following a targeted outreach to Catena-X members, it received important input regarding secondary data requirements.
It is currently collecting data and building a comprehensive repository based on this feedback. In parallel, the group is evaluating whether to develop its own database or connect with external providers to streamline access and integration.
The objective is to align data collection with member-specific needs and enable efficient, accurate, and scalable PCF reporting across the industry.
Objective
The Catena-X Expert Group on Due Diligence Governance (DDG) is dedicated to further developing environmental and human rights compliance requirements within supply chains. Its mission is to identify regulatory gaps, define priority areas for development, and provide practical guidance for Catena-X members.
Through collaboration with external initiatives, member feedback, and exchange with ESG experts, the group will evolve existing standards, the ESS Kit, and pragmatic best practices. It also supports continuous updates and coordinates closely with the Tractus-X open-source community.
Current Status
The Due Diligence Governance Expert Group is currently being established. Stay tuned—updates and initial results will be published here soon.
Objective
Develop a roadmap for the integration of Asset Administration Shell (AAS)-based Digital Twins in the Catena-X Automotive Network.
Design and recommend reference solutions for Digital Twin implementation that serve as models for stakeholders.
Define and establish standards for the data space to ensure interoperability.
Strengthen and advance the data space by promoting the adoption of AAS-based Digital Twins and addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.
Current Status
The team has just been formed. The expert group was moved from the Network Service Committee to the Industry Core Committee and has started planning the 2025 feature roadmap.
Objective
The Catena-X DCM Expert Group focuses on maintaining the Demand and Capacity Management (DCM) standard and further developing the DCM KIT. Its main objective is to improve the scalability of the DCM use case, which aims to jointly identify potential supply bottlenecks at an early stage. This proactive approach ensures practical applicability, business value, and seamless integration across different applications (freedom of choice).
Current Status
The DCM Expert Group has reached a mature stage with an already implemented standard, a fully developed KIT, and the first operational data exchange expected soon. Further actions are planned based on customer feedback, as well as to enhance scalability and accessibility.
Objective
This expert group focuses on handling additional information needed to automate informed decision-making in cases of potential and actual supply disruptions. Its main workstreams include:
- Implementing and securing existing standards
- Rolling out n-tier processes that automate data exchange and enhance the flow of beneficial information across the supply chain
- Developing and implementing new standards and functionalities based on industry needs
Current Status
The expert group is fully formed, and the tools and organizational structures have been adapted to its needs, allowing core work to begin.
Current areas of focus include:
- Bringing PURIS into active use through promotion at events and collecting external feedback
- Enhancing the PURIS FOSS application to serve as a foundation for SaaS offerings or self-hosted solutions
- Building a success story to drive adoption
At the same time, existing standards are being reinforced:
- Improving KIT documentation
- Closing gaps in areas like Supply Chain Disruption Notifications, including better specifications of required information
Objective
This expert group promotes the data-driven use case of quality management across the entire value chain. Its focus is twofold: expanding the Catena Quality Network and enhancing quality-related use cases. The vision is to move from part-based quality management between supplier and OEM toward a data-driven approach spanning OEM and n-tier supply chains. The ultimate goal is to detect and resolve quality issues more quickly and minimize the scope of affected products requiring corrective action.
Current Status
The quality management use case is active and already being utilized by several partners. The group provides several semantic data models, including OEM data (vehicles, diagnostics, complaints), supplier data (production and part analysis), and quality task data (attachments, notifications, defect patterns).
The expert group is working in smaller focus teams on the following topics:
- Refinement of semantic data models, with further improvements underway
- Preparation of an additional data model for warranties
- Compilation of arguments and FAQs on the value of the use case, including marketing materials aimed at persuading top management at OEMs and suppliers
- Enhancement of the Quality KIT documentation
- Identification of efficiency improvements for 8D reporting
- Consideration of SME-specific requirements to facilitate entry into the use case
Objective
The “Logistics and Customs” Expert Group aims to improve logistics and customs processes through increased digitization. Leveraging Catena-X core concepts such as Digital Twins, submodels, and connectors, the group introduces forward-looking concepts and technologies. By implementing use cases in logistics and customs, the group contributes to the expansion of the overall network.
Current Status
The Expert Group was newly established in March 2025 and will continue developing existing topics while addressing new ones.
Part traceability is critical in the automotive industry for functions such as quality management and accurate PCF calculation. But it’s not just the manufacturing process or materials used that influence quality and PCF values—how parts, lots, or vehicles are transported and handled plays a role as well.
The goal of the logistics use case is to provide additional information about the transport route, transport unit, and specific package content.
The movement of goods also involves customs requirements. Goods that receive preferential customs treatment often benefit from reduced or no tariffs. For this, a long-term supplier declaration is typically required.
Currently, the expert group is developing a solution for the exchange of master data between customers and suppliers to enable preference calculation.
Objective
The SSI Expert Group aims to guide the vision and strategy of Catena-X regarding Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), drive feature development, maintain technological relevance, and define specific SSI standards to ensure quality within the network. Collaboration with other working groups and harmonization of cross-group efforts are also central to the group’s mission.
Current Status
The current focus and goals of the SSI Expert Group include:
- Advancing Catena-X credential issuance and onboarding processes to gradually enable multi-wallet usage, with a long-term goal of implementing a bring-your-own-wallet approach
- Developing requirements and standards within Catena-X to support interoperability of self-hosted wallets
- Collaborating with key stakeholders, including other Catena-X expert groups, Catena-X Next, maintainers of relevant Eclipse open-source projects (Eclipse Tractus-X, EDC), the Eclipse Dataspace Working Group (EDWG), and Cofinity-X, to coordinate SSI activities
Objective
This expert group ensures that communication between participants in the Catena-X data ecosystem meets the requirements for interoperability and data sovereignty. It defines how participants should interact, which transmission profile types to use, and how to integrate credential services to ensure compliance with policy requirements and data record conventions.
Current Status
The group actively manages Catena-X requirements towards upstream projects, aligns specifications within Eclipse Tractus-X, and defines the CX-0018 standard. It collaborates with other expert groups (SSI, Industry Core, Data Sovereignty) to advance data space technologies.
The central technical component, the connector, is implemented in the Tractus-X ecosystem to enable data space connectivity. The group monitors the development of the Tractus-X EDC to ensure alignment with the Network Services Committee roadmap.
Regular meetings have been established. Current initiatives include defining policy requirements, improving interoperability, and refining the CX-0018 standard.
GitHub Repository Relevant Standards 1 Relevant Standards 2 Roadmap & Planning
Objective
This expert group aims to simplify the provision and exchange of company certificates. By developing a standardized API and data model, the group provides a reliable and efficient solution that improves the accuracy and usability of company certificates across the Catena-X ecosystem.
Current Status
To achieve this, the group has developed a standardized data model (CX-0135) that allows companies to provide and exchange certificates within the Catena-X data space. This model uses the Business Partner Number (BPN) as the primary identifier to ensure seamless certificate-to-entity mapping.
Key work items:
- Refinement of the CX-0135 standard
- Alignment of the certificate management framework with Industry Core requirements
- Enabling certificate exchange along the value chain
- Definition of an architecture for certificate provision and clarification of push vs. pull mechanisms
- Establishment of notification procedures for certificate updates and expirations
- Updating the semantic model based on evolving business needs
- Implementation of certificate versioning mechanisms
- Definition of validation methods such as OCR, AI-based validation, and trust levels
- Harmonization of validation criteria for different certificate types
- Extension of the verified certificate list (e.g., ISO 9001)
- Execution of KIT tests with selected partners and solution providers
- Engaging market participants to activate solution providers for broader adoption
Objective
This expert group is focused on establishing a global, cross-industry standard for Business Partner Data Management. It aims to enable a shared master data system for business partners based on data exchange principles. A central objective is the creation of a globally unique BPNL/S/A, serving as a foundation for Catena-X and other open data spaces.
Current Status
Currently, each company in the automotive supply chain manages its business partner master data independently, leading to data redundancy, high costs, and risks due to outdated data.
As of March 2024, the solution architecture is based on the BPDM Golden Record Process, ensuring data integrity and accuracy. BPDM standards and components are documented in the Catena-X Standard Library, while KITs and source code are available in the Eclipse Tractus-X BPDM KIT and Catena-X BPDM repository.
Key work areas include:
- Defining and maintaining the BPDM Golden Record Process, BPDM Gates, and Pools
- Standardizing and refining APIs to enable seamless integration
- Developing governance models for Value-Added Services (VAS)
- Aligning business requirements with the open-source community and related use cases
- Ensuring Gaia-X compatibility and alignment with evolving standards such as EDC
- Collaborating with other initiatives such as the Company Hierarchy Expert Group and related Catena-X use cases
This expert group plays a key role in delivering a harmonized, efficient, and scalable approach to business partner data across the Catena-X ecosystem.
BPDM Standards 1 BPDM Standrads 2 BPDM Standards 3 BPDM Standards 4
Objective
The B2B Portal Kit Expert Group aims to simplify and standardize user account management across multiple supplier portals by establishing a Single Sign-On (SSO) solution based on Catena-X standard CX-0015. The goal is to enable seamless authentication, reduce administrative overhead, enhance security, and improve the user experience across the Catena-X ecosystem.
Current Status
Identity and trust are central to the Catena-X ecosystem. Reliable identity management is critical to enabling secure and sovereign collaboration between business partners.
Challenges:
- Multiple logins across portals: Suppliers often manage separate accounts for each portal they interact with
- Security risks: Fragmented access management increases risks and mismanagement of credentials
- Lack of standardization: Currently, there is no standardized solution for identity and user rights management within Catena-X
Solution Approach:
The expert group is developing CX-0015, a scalable, centralized user management system integrating SSO across the Catena-X network. The B2B Portal Kit will:
- Enable unified identity management across portals
- Provide a standardized authentication process for both human and machine-to-machine interactions
- Allow portal users to act securely on behalf of their organizations
- Ensure compatibility with Catena-X identity standards while supporting broader adoption in external supplier portals
- Empower suppliers to use their Catena-X credentials to log in to multiple supplier portals, reducing the need for multiple accounts and improving security and efficiency
Objective
The “Network of Networks” Expert Group focuses on improving interoperability between Catena-X and other data spaces (e.g., Factory-X, Manufacturing-X). The group works on developing mechanisms for network synchronization and seamless data exchange processes, ensuring alignment with the updated Catena-X Operating Model. The goal is to build an efficient, scalable, and secure framework for communication and collaboration across networks.
Current Status
Current challenges include:
- Limited interoperability: Catena-X’s current capabilities do not fully support synchronization with external data spaces
- Increasing demand for data sharing: New use cases require the exchange of certificates, credentials, and other data types across networks
- Lack of standardized interfaces: There are no clearly defined integration mechanisms for seamless interaction between industrial data ecosystems
Solution approach:
To address these challenges, the expert group is working on:
- Developing a comprehensive concept and design for an extended “network of networks” architecture
- Defining and implementing standardized interfaces to enable smooth integration with other data spaces
- Conducting integration tests and validations to ensure compliance with Catena-X requirements
- Implementing improved network synchronization mechanisms to enable secure and efficient data exchange across networks
These developments will significantly enhance interoperability, efficiency, and scalability within the Catena-X ecosystem and enable structured, trustworthy cross-network collaboration.
Objective
This expert group addresses key challenges in onboarding and offboarding processes within the Catena-X ecosystem:
- Inefficient onboarding processes: Companies joining the network experience delays and confusion due to a lack of standardized workflows.
- Unstructured offboarding procedures: The absence of transparent, legally compliant exit processes creates potential security risks, data privacy concerns, and legal conflicts.
- Lack of interoperability: Different onboarding service providers operate without harmonized standards, hindering cross-network collaboration.
Solution Approach
To improve efficiency and ensure legal compliance, the expert group is working on:
- Defining clear onboarding and offboarding procedures
- Implementing system-supported processes for seamless enterprise integration and transparent exit routines
- Enhancing network security through defined rules for managing company data
- Building trust and ensuring regulatory compliance by aligning processes with Catena-X governance standards
- Coordinating closely with the Eclipse Tractus-X Community Identity Hub (DCP) and portal teams
Objective
The APJ Expert Group drives the internationalization of Catena-X in Japan and South Korea. It brings together global and local members—automotive companies, IT providers, and institutions—to foster regional collaboration while respecting cultural and governance-specific differences.
Current Status
In Japan, Catena-X is building strategic alliances with institutional and industry stakeholders to align local data-sharing initiatives (e.g., Ouranos) with the Catena-X framework. Experts from both sides are working together to enable secure, efficient, and trusted data exchange between Japanese and European automotive actors.
In South Korea, the group is identifying further regional stakeholders to support the development of a hub comprising both industrial and institutional partners.
The group regularly organizes meetings, webinars, and workshops to promote Catena-X principles and value propositions across both regions, while also exploring potential synergies between Japan and South Korea.