The 4th Korean Peninsula Policy Forum was held on the 3rd at the 9th International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE).


Exploring Development Plans for Inter-Korean Electric Vehicle and Renewable Energy Projects
Need to support technology development and foster collaborative relationships… Let's work together

At the 9th International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE), a venue was set up on the 3rd through the 4th Korean Peninsula Policy Forum to discuss inter-Korean electric vehicle and renewable energy policies and support, thereby solidifying inter-Korean cooperation regarding electric vehicle technology development.

The 4th Korean Peninsula Policy Forum was held on the 3rd at the 9th International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE), which is being held from May 3 (Tue) to 6 (Fri) at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC JEJU) and the Jungmun Tourist Complex.

The forum began with an opening address by Chairman Kim Dong-won (Council of Presidents of National Hub Universities), a congratulatory speech by Kim Kwang-gil, Director General for Exchange and Cooperation Policy (Ministry of Unification), and a welcome address by Ko Chung-hong, Chairman of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Committee (Jeju Special Self-Governing Province), followed by speeches and a panel discussion by former Vice President Kim Young-soo (Sogang University), Representative Kang Young-sil (Institute of North Korean Industrial Technology), and President Hwang Woo-hyun (Jeju Energy Corporation).

Kim Dong-won, Chairman of the Council of Presidents of National Hub Universities, stated, “Due to COVID-19, the level of electric vehicle technology on the Korean Peninsula has not yet achieved the expected results, but nevertheless, it is essential to explore ways to exchange for future electric vehicle technology development.”
Kim Kwang-gil, Director General for Exchange and Cooperation Policy at the Ministry of Unification, spoke about inter-Korean carbon neutrality and climate cooperation, emphasizing the need to explore various measures, such as biodiversity projects in North Korea, and achieve sustainable development through renewable energy.

Policy Officer Kim emphasized, “Cooperation on electric vehicles will be the ultimate solution for climate cooperation,” adding, “It is also necessary to foster a cooperative relationship between the South and North, and we will achieve this step by step starting now.”

Ko Chung-hong, Chairman of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Committee of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, expressed his aspirations that the fields Jeju will pursue in the future will be primarily environment and tourism, and that Jeju City will make efforts to cooperate with North Korea.

Following this, former Sogang University Vice President Kim Young-soo emphasized in a keynote speech titled 'The New Government's Inter-Korean Exchange and Green Détente' that the two Koreas must actively step forward to build cooperation and a relationship of trust.

Former Vice President Kim said that this forum is forward-looking in that it opens a new chapter in inter-Korean cooperation on electric vehicles ahead of the launch of the new government. It was emphasized that although the current inter-Korean situation is not favorable due to the COVID-19 pandemic and international sentiment, the two Koreas must cooperate while considering each other's positions.

Kang Young-sil, Representative of the North Korean Industrial Technology Research Institute, spoke on the topic of "North Korea's Renewable Energy Development and the Current Status of the Electric Vehicle Industry," discussing the current situation where electric vehicle and renewable energy development is underway in North Korea, but commercialization remains difficult as they are still at the development stage.

North Korea began research and development of natural energy in the 1990s as an alternative to overcome its first economic difficulties. It continued efforts to popularize solar power and wind power, and introduced advanced technologies for tidal power generation, geothermal development, and solar thermal energy. However, due to complex challenges such as equipment, localization difficulties, and technology, these technologies have not been commercialized.

It was mentioned that although development efforts and pilot production, including batteries, have been supported for electric vehicle development since the 1980s, the results have been insufficient, and that exchange of resources and technology between the South and North is necessary.

Hwang Woo-hyun, President of Jeju Energy Corporation, discussed the "collaboration plan for North Korea's Samjiyon Energy Self-Sufficient City based on the Jeju Gapado Model" as a renewable energy-based response to the climate crisis.

With the recent global transition to new and renewable energy, Jeju Gapado Smart Energy Town aims to supply energy using solar, wind, battery, and operating systems, and to apply smart grid technology, against the backdrop of the first self-sufficient energy village pilot project under Jeju CFI 2030.

President Hwang explained the projected plan for building an energy-independent city and presented ways for inter-Korean cooperation. It was emphasized that South and North Korea must each perform their respective roles in areas such as jointly establishing a task force for cooperation project policies, discussing detailed design and implementation plans, financing and securing materials, standardization, and operation and maintenance.

Following the presentations, a panel discussion was held at the forum featuring Director Koh Seong-jun (Jeju Institute for Future Unification), Associate Professor Im Eul-chul (Kyungnam University Institute for Far Eastern Studies), Planning Director Hong Jae-hyung (Peace Research Institute), Park Sang-don, Head of Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Division (Ministry of Unification), and Kim Su-jeong, Associate Research Fellow (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade).