Seoul, Washington discuss clean energy ties, public-private partnerships

South Korea and the United States have agreed to boost clean energy cooperation by holding regular dialogues and bolstering public-private partnerships, as the two countries aim to strengthen ties in energy security and carbon reduction, the industry ministry said Friday. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm reached the consensus during their meeting in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday (U.S. time), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen cooperation towards reducing carbon emissions, achieving energy security and enhancing international coordination in efforts, such as decarbonizing the industry and power sectors," the two countries said in a joint statement. "There was also a consensus on building a public-private partnership as a means of strengthening bilateral cooperation," it added. The ministry said the two discussed holding the Ministerial Energy Policy Dialogue and the public-private clean e nergy forum on a regular basis as well. South Korea and the United States also acknowledged they have "seen an increased level of business-to-business exchange in areas such as batteries, energy storage, hydrogen and renewable energy" since the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. "The ironclad ROK-US Alliance contributes to global climate action, stable energy supply chains and energy security," Ahn said, using the acronym for the South's official name, the Republic of Korea. "The bilateral cooperative platform can be a stepping stone to increased business opportunities, increased investment and, ultimately, global clean energy leadership." Source: Yonhap News Agency