Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea Leads Development of International Standards for Eco-Friendly and Autonomous Offshore Plants

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced that Korea will propose four new international standards reflecting next-generation offshore plant technologies at the ISO Technical Committee 67 (Oil and Gas Industries Including Lower Carbon Energy) General Assembly, to be held in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, from October 20 to 24. This marks the first time since its founding in 1947 that ISO TC 67 will hold its General Assembly in Korea. About 100 experts from 16 member countries are expected to attend to discuss international standards for the oil, gas, and renewable energy plant sectors. At the meeting, Korean companies including Samsung Heavy Industries will lead efforts to standardize key technologies that support unmanned operation and eco-friendliness in offshore plants. Korea will propose standards on “Safety Signage and Emergency Escape Route Requirements” for unmanned offshore plants and “Aerogel Insulation Installation Guidelines” for efficient operation of ammonia and hydrogen pipelines in renewable energy plants. Additional proposals include standardizing material specifications for piping and structural bolts and nuts suitable for marine environments to enhance structural safety, and establishing performance and testing standards for coating materials used in offshore plants to improve corrosion resistance and long-term durability. The event will also include a technical seminar highlighting Korea’s latest offshore plant technologies and a site tour of Samsung Heavy Industries’ shipyard and offshore production facilities, giving international experts an opportunity to experience Korea’s technological leadership firsthand. KATS President Kim Dae-ja stated, “This ISO TC 67 General Assembly marks a significant opportunity for Korea to lead international standardization in the offshore plant sector. We will expand cooperation on next-generation technologies such as autonomous plants and renewable offshore energy while supporting Korean companies’ global market entry.”   date2025-10-20

11th International Conference on Hydrogen Safety

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Kim Jung-kwan) announced that the 11th International Conference on Hydrogen Safety (ICHS) will be held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul from Monday, September 22, to Friday, September 26. The conference will bring together experts from around the world to share the latest technologies and research developments in hydrogen safety and explore avenues for policy cooperation. Approximately 300 participants are expected to attend, including speakers from 24 countries and representatives from major governments and organizations. As the host country, Korea will use this opportunity to demonstrate its strong commitment to building a safe hydrogen economy—ensuring that hydrogen, as a core clean energy source of the future, develops in tandem with safety. Beginning Tuesday, September 23, the conference will feature keynote speeches from government and industry leaders, 163 research paper presentations, a site visit to the Incheon liquefied hydrogen plant, and promotional booths from eight Korean and international companies. These programs will facilitate discussions on hydrogen safety policies and technologies while highlighting the competitive strengths of Korean companies. In his keynote address, Park Deok-yeol, Director-General of the Hydrogen Economy Policy Bureau, stressed, “A hydrogen economy grounded in safety is essential to addressing the global climate crisis and achieving carbon neutrality. Hydrogen safety is not an issue for any single nation to handle alone; it requires close international cooperation. We hope this conference will serve as a turning point toward a safer, cleaner hydrogen society.”   date2025-09-23

Vice Minister Attends Power Transformation Session of CEM16/MI-10

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon attended a high-level dialogue session of the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting (CEM16) and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting (MI-10) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. The session’s theme was “Power Transformation.” After delivering a keynote address, the vice minister discussed ways to expand carbon-free power generation facilities and electricity infrastructure to meet rising energy demand, while exploring strategies for power system innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition. The session brought together officials from member countries including the UK, China, Australia, and the Netherlands, as well as experts from domestic and international organizations and business leaders. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Meets the Netherlands’ Vice Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon met with the Netherlands’ Vice Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth Michel Heijdra on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. The two sides discussed bilateral energy cooperation during the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting held at the same venue. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Meets European Commission’s Director-General for Energy

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon met with the European Commission’s Director-General for Energy Ditte Juul Jørgensen on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. They discussed the Global Energy Transition Forum and energy policies during the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting held at the same venue. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Meets Saudi Arabia’s Undersecretary for Sustainability and Climate Change

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon met with Saudi Arabia’s Undersecretary for Sustainability and Climate Change at the Ministry of Energy Khalid Almehaid on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. The two sides discussed bilateral energy cooperation during the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting held at the same venue. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Attends Plenary Session of MI-10

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon attended the plenary session of the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting (MI-10) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. After delivering a welcome address, the vice minister celebrated MI’s 10th anniversary and discussed key missions’ achievements and plans. Attendees included officials from member countries such as the US, the UK, China, and Japan, as well as experts from international bodies and businesses. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Attends Plenary Session of CEM16

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon attended the plenary session of the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting (CEM16) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. The vice minister delivered a welcome address and exchanged views with participants on maximizing CEM’s influence as an action-oriented platform. Participants included officials from member countries such as the US, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Russia, as well as experts from international bodies. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Attends Opening Ceremony of CEM16/MI-10

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon attended the opening ceremony of the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting (CEM16) and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting (MI-10) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea, where he delivered opening remarks. The meetings brought together stakeholders from the climate and energy sectors to discuss the expansion of clean energy and seek cooperation to accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies. Attendees included officials from member countries such as the US, China, Japan, Indonesia, and the Netherlands, as well as experts from international bodies. date2025-09-08

Vice Minister Meets Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary of Economic Affairs and Energy

Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Ho-hyeon met with Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Stefan Rouenhoff on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, Korea. The two sides discussed bilateral energy cooperation during the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting held at the same venue. date2025-09-08