NAGAYAMEDIA huihui Reporter | The 9th ROK-U.S. Energy Security Dialogue (ESD), presided over by Kang Jae-kwon, coordinator for economic and diplomatic affairs, and Geoffrey R. Pyatt, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of State's Energy Resources Administration, was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 March.

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance this year, the ROK-U.S. Energy Security Dialogue was held by upgrading the existing director-level dialogue to the status of a deputy minister, and the two sides diagnosed the global energy crisis triggered by the Ukraine crisis and discussed various ways to cooperate to enhance energy security and transition to clean energy.

The two sides evaluated the efforts of the two governments to stabilize the global energy market, such as the release of strategic oil reserves, discussed renewable energy, and discussed ways to strengthen cyber security of major infrastructure such as power grids and energy infrastructure.

In addition, the United States expressed gratitude for the ROK Government's support for the restoration of Ukraine's power grid, and the two sides discussed future cooperation plans.

The ROK side introduced the ROK Government's basic energy policy aimed at redefining the energy mix and hydrogen economy policies, such as the establishment of an ecosystem for the hydrogen industry, and agreed to strengthen cooperation with the United States in the process of transitioning to clean energy.

The United States evaluated the ROK's leading role in hydrogen utilization, and the two sides agreed to explore ways to expand cooperation between the ROK and the United States across the value chain, including the establishment of standards, clean hydrogen production (CCUS), and transportation.

The two sides reviewed the status of cooperation under the Mineral Security Partnership to stabilize and diversify the supply chain of key minerals, essential materials for the clean energy industry, and held in-depth discussions on ROK-U.S. cooperation in Asia and other third domestic regions.

In particular, the United States expressed its gratitude for the fact that our government has been actively participating in MSP activities at both high-level and working-level levels since the inauguration of the MSP.

When the 10th U.S.-ROK Energy Security Dialogue is held next year, the two sides agreed to consider holding a 1.5-track meeting in conjunction with businessmen to strengthen cooperation and networking with the private energy sector.

[News source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]