Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

ROK-US Energy Ministerial Meeting for Clean Energy Cooperation

 

The Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun met with the US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm at the ROK-US Energy Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C. on the 7th to 8th of August.

 

The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen cooperation towards reducing carbon emission, achieving energy security and enhancing international coordination in efforts such as decarbonizing the industry and power sectors. There was also a consensus on building a public-private partnership as a means of strengthening bilateral cooperation. They also discussed holding the Ministerial Energy Policy Dialogue and public-private clean energy forum on a regular basis. Since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law, the two countries have seen an increased level of business-to-business exchange in areas such as batteries, energy storage, hydrogen, and renewable energy. Growing prospects of electrical equipment markets, including ultra-high-voltage transmission systems for expanding renewable energy, such as off-shore wind, also highlight the significant need to continue regular cooperative engagement between the two countries.

 

Minister Ahn also shared Korea’s views as the 2025 APEC Host to promote carbon-free energy technologies such as nuclear, renewable energy, and hydrogen as a means to expand clean electricity across the region and requested US support. The meeting also covered discussions on sustainable future fuels for industrial decarbonization and international coordination for carbon capture, storage, and removal technologies.

 

“Strategic and comprehensive clean energy partnership between Korea and the United States builds on our strong US-ROK Alliance and matters more than ever given the importance of building stable clean energy supply chains among like-minded countries. The ironclad ROK-US Alliance contributes to global climate action, stable energy supply chains, and energy security. The bilateral cooperative platform can be a stepping stone to increased business opportunities, increased investment, and, ultimately, global clean energy leadership,” said Minister Ahn.