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Seoul to intensify energy diplomacy

Jan 28, 2008

Han Seung-soo the prime minister-designate

President-elect Lee Myung-bak heralded an era of aggressive Korean energy diplomacy on Monday (Jan. 28), with the appointment of a veteran diplomat and economist as his first prime minister.

Prime Minister-designate Han Seung-soo is expected to have less political influence than many of his predecessors, under Lee's push for a stronger presidential office.

But Han will have a far more powerful mandate on economy-related diplomacy, especially in Seoul's efforts to secure stable sources of oil and other natural resources.

Korea is the world's fourth-largest buyer of crude oil and its economy is often jolted by surging oil prices.

Han said if his appointment is endorsed by the National Assembly, he will benchmark Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who has traveled energy-rich nations inking a host of deals.

"Resources are indispensable to our economy. For instance, Chinese leaders Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao have traveled across the world for resource diplomacy. I'm ready to criss-cross the globe to engage in resource diplomacy. I'll also strive to publicize our nation's human resources abroad," said Han, former foreign minister and finance minister. Han now serves as a top U.N. climate envoy.

The Foreign Ministry, also, underlined the importance of Han's role in energy diplomacy.

"Close cooperation with countries producing natural resources is important to increase our diplomatic and economic power," ministry spokesman Cho Hee-yong said.

Exchanges between higher-level officials can provide increased support for actual cooperation in specific fields such as natural resources, he added.

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