South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and his Japanese counterpart, Ken Saito, met in Washington to discuss cooperation in the supply chain for clean hydrogen and ammonia. Both ministers agreed to establish a working group to enhance collaboration in this area and expand efforts under Seoul's Carbon-Free Energy initiative. The discussions also included plans to strengthen ties on various multilateral platforms like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the World Trade Organization, as well as in relations with the U.S. and China. Minister Ahn highlighted the progress in cooperation between South Korea and Japan, expressing hope for diverse forms of collaboration. Minister Saito acknowledged the improvement in bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations in addressing international challenges. The meeting signifies the growing importance of South Korea-Japan cooperation for regional stability, especially in light of global uncertainties such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Middle East. This bilateral dialogue occurred amidst an overall positive trend in relations following actions taken by the Yoon administration regarding Japanese wartime forced labor compensation. Minister Ahn's visit to Washington also included participation in a trilateral ministerial meeting with the U.S. and Japan, focusing on strengthening cooperation on supply chains and economic security.