Korea-Japan Trade Ministers "Strengthening Cooperation on Global Critical Minerals Supply Chain"

Andukgeun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, met with Saito Gen, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, in Washington D.C. on the 26th during the Korea-U.S.-Japan Industry and Commerce Ministers' Meeting, marking their first meeting in over two months (since April 22 in Tokyo). They discussed the implementation of the Korea-Japan summit agreement and ways to concretize its outcomes.

Both sides welcomed the Hydrogen Cooperation Dialogue held in Seoul on the 14th and agreed to expand international cooperation in building supply chains for clean hydrogen and other resources by establishing a "Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia Supply Chain Development Working Group" and promoting a "Korea-Japan Hydrogen and Ammonia Supply Chain and Utilization Cooperation Platform" to encourage public-private collaboration. They also agreed to concretize cooperation on the Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) initiative through expert consultations. Regarding global carbon regulation responses, they highly evaluated the operation of the "Korea-Japan Global Green Cooperation Working Group" agreed upon in April and decided to strengthen joint responses.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "Both sides will cooperate to stabilize the global supply chain of critical minerals and continue discussions on supply chain cooperation in key industries. Additionally, they discussed cooperation measures within major multilateral forums such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the World Trade Organization (WTO), Korea-Japan-China, and Korea-U.S.-Japan, and agreed to maintain close communication going forward."