South Korea to strengthen energy cooperation with ASEAN

Areas of focus will include the enhancement of clean energy and data exchange.

South Korea plans to continue its cooperation with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which will be critical in ensuring energy security and clean energy expansion, said Lee Won-ju, Energy Policy Director-General at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

Lee said at the 19th ASEAN+3 Energy Ministers’ Meetin that South Korea’s cooperation with ASEAN will focus on the enhancement of clean energy development, data exchange, project investigation and sourcing, and providing assistance to Korean firms' entry to the local market.

Through the country’s greenhouse gas reduction projects and energy safety management, South Korea contributed to ASIAN’s decarbonisation and energy infrastructure safety management, Lee said in the meeting.

In a statement, MOTIE added South Korea is working on greenhouse reduction policies and sharing its experiences on energy efficiency and renewable energy with the ASEAN members since 2009. It has also partnered with the region since 2021 to cut greenhouse gas emissions by raising efficiency in industrial and transport energy.

South Korea also served as co-chair with Brunei for the Renewable and Alternative Power Generation since 2018 to boost technological advances and cooperation efforts for the expansion of renewable energy in the region.

“Future plans include sharing of electricity safety standards and consultation personnel training for the improvement of energy infrastructure safety management across the ASEAN region,” MOTIE said.

At the 16th East Asia Summit, Lee also highlighted the immediate need for stabilisation of the global energy market and energy security reinforcement. He also concurred with the need for clean energy expansion to decarbonise markets, noting South Korea’s energy policy.

He added that nuclear energy will be relied on as a major source to reinforce energy security and achieve carbon neutrality. Renewables, hydrogen and clean energy technology development will continue to address domestic energy demand and circumstances.