Korea and Japan hold 20th Steel Dialogue

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) held the 20^th Korea-Japan Steel Dialogue on May 31 in Tokyo following a five-year hiatus, on the backs of the recent revitalization of the two countries' relations and lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

During the Dialogue, MOTIE's Metals and Ceramics Division Director Oh Choong-jong and his Japanese counterpart, Director Daisuke Matsuno, led discussions on the steel market trends and global carbon regulation, low-carbon steel technology collaboration, bilateral trade of steel materials, as well as joint response regarding the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and such carbon control measures.

The meeting was attended by major steel companies and associations of the two countries, including Korea Iron & Steel Association (KOSA) and Japan Iron & Steel Federation (JISF).

Attendees agreed that steel cooperation between Korea and Japan is critical amid the global rise of decarbonization and protectionism, and that further exchanges are to continue through the Dialogue.