S. Korea eyes closer ties with Indonesia in EVs, clean energy: trade minister

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said Wednesday that South Korea hopes to expand economic ties with Indonesia in areas ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to clean energy. Cheong made the remark during his visit to Jakarta, where he attended a ceremony marking the production of Hyundai Motor Co.'s electric vehicles equipped with batteries manufactured in Indonesia, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "We hope that EVs made in Indonesia can run across the ASEAN and global markets, and that bilateral economic ties will expand to other areas as well," Cheong said in a statement. The trade minister also met Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia and exchanged views on comprehensive economic cooperation. Cheong especially asked Indonesia to support South Korean businesses' projects in the EV and petrochemical industries. The two officials agreed to seek partnerships in the clean energy sector, including the Carbon Capture and Storage system, solar energy, and carbon neutrality. Ch eong also visited the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia to meet experts and share ideas on promoting cooperation among countries in East Asia and the Pacific region, the ministry added. Source: Yonhap News Agency