S. Korea, U.S. can promote emergence of 'green economy': official

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States can work together to
promote the development of an eco-friendly green economy, a senior government
official said Monday.

Knowledge Economy Minister Lee Youn-ho told a meeting of the American Chamber of
Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) that both Seoul and Washington are pushing forward
policies to support sustainable green growth.
"Since both countries set their goals in this sector close bilateral cooperation
could lead to positive synergy and fuel development," the policymaker said.
South Korea's Lee Myung-bak administration said its green growth policy is the
country's future, while Washington is also pursuing its Clean Energy Project
initiative that outlines a build-up of reusable energy sources and "green jobs"
that strive for growth without endangering the environment.
"If both sides work together, it could speed up global efforts to establish a
clean growth mechanism," Lee stressed.
As an example, he said fuel cell units made by LG Chem could be supplied to
Chevrolet's Volt advanced plug-in hybrid vehicle.
The minister, meanwhile, said for closer bilateral cooperation to take effect, it
is important that lawmakers from the two countries ratify the free trade
agreement (FTA) pact signed by Seoul and Washington on June 30, 2007.
"It is important for AMCHAM to play a role in getting the FTA to pass U.S.
Congress so there will be a boost in intellectual, technological and personnel
exchange between the two countries," he said.
The gathering in Seoul was attended by some 80 members of the business community,
including former AMCHAM chairman William Oberlin, Stuart Solomon, CEO of Metlife
Korea, and Bob Edwards, head of Chevron's South Korea office.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)