The South Korean government has announced a plan to commercialize sodium-ion batteries by 2030, with energy storage and low-cost electric vehicles among the key markets. This new national roadmap for the battery industry aims to shift the focus of South Korean manufacturers toward sodium-ion batteries for energy storage systems and affordable electric vehicles. Solid-state batteries, on the other hand, are being targeted for more advanced applications such as high-performance electric vehicles, robots, drones, and urban air mobility. Published on September 22, the roadmap sets specific energy density targets for sodium-ion batteries: 160 Wh/kg by 2027 and 220 Wh/kg by 2030. The government has linked this initiative with major companies like LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On, as well as key material suppliers in South Korea. These firms are expected to work together on areas considered non-competitive, such as battery dimensions and component specifications, to streamline production and reduce costs. The push for sodium-ion batteries comes as South Korea seeks to reclaim its position in the global battery market. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries now make up about 90% of global battery storage deployments. Chinese manufacturers dominate the production of LFP cells and materials, while South Korean companies have traditionally focused on lithium-ion cells with high nickel content for electric vehicles. Sodium-ion batteries may provide an opportunity for South Korean firms to compete in markets where cost is a priority over maximum energy density, despite current higher production costs. The roadmap includes a research program with an estimated budget of 400 billion South Korean won (around 300 million dollars or 260 million euros) from 2027 to 2031. Companies are also expected to invest approximately 8,000 billion South Korean won (about 6.9 billion euros) in research and production facilities between 2026 and 2030. The government has not specified how much of these funds will be allocated to sodium-ion technology. Additionally, the government plans to introduce a production tax credit starting in 2027 to support the industry. Solid-state batteries are another major focus of the roadmap, with a distinct prototype target for 2027 and a commercialization goal for 2030. South Korea aims to develop a solid-state battery with an energy density of 400 Wh/kg by 2028. The ministry describes the 2027 prototype as a "world first," though it has not detailed what would make it unique compared to existing prototypes from other countries. The 400 Wh/kg target remains the primary benchmark to track progress in this area.