Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Japanese counterpart Ken Saito met in Washington, D.C., where they agreed to establish a working group focusing on cooperation in the supply chain for clean hydrogen and ammonia. This initiative is part of Seoul's Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) project aimed at promoting sustainable energy solutions. The ministers also discussed expanding collaboration to ensure the stability of global supply chains, including essential minerals. They highlighted the positive progress in bilateral cooperation and expressed intentions to accelerate joint efforts in various areas, including energy security, hydrogen technologies, and supply chain resilience. The discussions reflected the growing importance of Korea-Japan cooperation in maintaining regional stability and address international challenges, particularly in the context of global uncertainties like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and developments in the Middle East. The meeting occurred within the context of improving relations between the two countries, following South Korea's decision to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor. The discussions in Washington also included strategies to strengthen trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and Korea on supply chains and economic security.