Korea set to launch nuclear cooperation project with Asean, says senior official
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025
By: Tan Chin Tung, Natasha Busst, FMT Text Size: Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said the project aims to systematically support the readiness of Asean member states to introduce nuclear power plants. KUCHING: Korea is set to launch a nuclear cooperation project with Asean to systematically support the region's readiness to introduce nuclear power plants. Speaking at the 43rd Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy, Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said the project would include capacity-building training, policy workshops, and joint research endeavours, with further details to be announced at a later date.
Advertisement 'This project aims to systematically support Asean member states' readiness to introduce nuclear power plants. 'This cooperation will transcend mere technology and institutional transfers. It will lay a solid foundation for Asean and Korea to develop a people-centred and sustainable energy partnership,' he said. Another new initiative Kim announced during his opening remarks was the transfer of the Korean electrical safety management system to Asean member states from the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation. 'This initiative aims to revamp Asean's electrical safety frameworks and bolster technical expertise through various cooperative projects,' he said. Since December 1997, Korea, China, and Japan have cooperated with Asean member states under the Asean Plus Three framework to promote comprehensive collaboration in areas such as energy, security, trade and investment, health, and finance. Japan's director of international affairs Yoshiomi Yoshino, also present at the event today, said it was necessary to leverage all available technologies and energy sources, including energy efficiency, hydrogen and ammonia, nuclear power, natural gas, as well as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, to successfully implement energy transition initiatives. 'We will also continue to participate in the Asia Energy Transition Initiative and Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for Asean to formulate tangible cooperation projects introducing various decarbonisation technologies, in line with each country's national circumstances,' he said. Li Yuan, China's deputy division director of the international cooperation department, also reaffirmed the nation's commitment to continued collaboration with the region under the Asean Plus Three framework, with a focus on hydropower, energy storage, nuclear and emerging energy technologies, green certificates, and green financing. 'We have seen a very fruitful outcome and deliverables under the framework of 10 plus three. 'We would like to continue playing an active role in the 10 plus three mechanisms for pragmatic cooperation on clean energy, so that we can contribute together to sustainable development and energy transition for our region.' Energy transition and water transformation ministry secretary-general Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli welcomed the collaboration between Asean countries and the East Asia giants, saying it provided a critical platform to bring together diverse perspectives, resources, and experiences. 'Within this context, our region's choices and cooperation will play a decisive role in the pace and direction of the energy transition. 'It is through such collective leadership that we can turn our shared vision into tangible outcomes for our countries, our communities, and our future generations,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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