Japan, S. Korea to launch new energy cooperation framework

ANDONG, South Korea - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed Tuesday to deepen energy cooperation by ensuring supplies of crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas for both countries as heightened Middle East tensions raise the need for closer bilateral ties.

Japan and South Korea will set up a policy dialogue to pursue specific areas of energy cooperation, while the Asian neighbors will jointly work to secure robust supply chains for critical minerals, Takaichi said after meeting with the president in Andong in southeastern South Korea, Lee's hometown.