Asia-Pacific Countries Seek Cross-Border CCS Cooperation in Korea

Choi Namho, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 'K-CCS International Conference 2025' held on the 12th at the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

In order to expand the active cross-border carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) projects, which have been centered in Europe, into the Asia-Pacific region?including Australia and Malaysia?major countries gathered in Korea to explore ways to cooperate.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it held the 'K-CCS International Conference 2025' on the morning of the 12th at the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Yeouido to expand CCS cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

This conference was the first domestic event to bring together all major CCS-promoting countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Approximately 200 participants attended, including: representatives from countries such as Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia that aim to operate carbon dioxide storage sites; countries such as Japan and Singapore that intend to store carbon dioxide overseas; and businesspeople and government officials from leading CCS countries like Norway.

In its keynote speech, the Ministry introduced the 'Act on the Capture, Transportation, Storage, and Utilization of Carbon Dioxide,' which came into effect in February of this year; presented the current status of the preliminary feasibility study for the Donghae Gas Field CCS project; and announced future directions for fostering the CCS industry, including cross-border CCS. Government officials from six participating countries also shared the current status of their respective national CCS policies.

Seventeen domestic and international companies pursuing CCS projects participated in the event and shared updates on ongoing CCS projects and the latest technological trends. Taking this event as an opportunity, the Ministry held meetings with government officials from major CCS-promoting countries in the Asia-Pacific region?including Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia?and sought ways to cooperate for the success of CCS projects being pursued by Korean companies.

Choi Namho, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "In the face of the grave reality of the climate crisis, CCS is both a practical means of reducing carbon emissions in the manufacturing sector?where reduction is difficult?and a future energy industry. Through this event, I hope that cross-border CCS projects, which have been centered in Europe, will expand into cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries."