By Kang Hyun-kyung
Korea is likely to sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) over the right to extract lithium from Lake Uyuni with Bolivia later this month when President Evo Morales visits Seoul.
Some officials labeled the “small progress” in the negotiations over the right to access the natural resource in the Latin American nation as the outcome of President Lee Myung-bak’s resource diplomacy.
A diplomatic source made it clear Tuesday that the two leaders’ possible signing of the MOU during a summit to be held later this month will not guarantee that Korea will be entitled to extract lithium from the lake.
His remarks hinted that it will be progress for Korea to have the Bolivian President sit down with President Lee for the MOU but there is still a long way to go.
Asking not to be named due to diplomatic courtesy, the source added that the two sides will need to talk further to conclude that Korea will be allowed to develop the resource.
Lithium is the source of rechargeable batteries that are used in notebooks, mobile phones and electric vehicles. Rechargeable batteries have a lower total cost of use and environmental impact than standard batteries.
The source said that Korea has continued to work with Bolivia to gain access to the right to extract the resources from Lake Uyuni which contained about 5.4 million tons of Lithium.
Sources said several nations, including Japan, China and France, are vying to gain access to the natural resource.
Since President Lee Myung-bak took office in February 2008, he has prioritized so-called natural resource diplomacy as one of the strategies to help raise the nation’s standing in the world.
Several special envoys, mostly high-profile politicians including Lee’s brother Rep. Lee Sang-deuk, were called upon to play a role in building networks with leaders of countries endowed with rich natural resources and energy.
As a special envoy, Rep. Lee visited Bolivia three times over the past six months. He is said to be very close with President Morales.
Asked how close they were, Lee’s aide told The Korea Times that the lawmaker is the only foreign dignitary who met the Bolivian president three times in the past six months after he took office.
“When visiting the Latin American country, Rep. Lee was always with his interpreter to learn more about the nation and the way it works,” the aide said.
“I think his sincere effort and eagerness worked and this enabled him to bear the fruit of close ties with the Bolivian President.”
President Morales is scheduled to visit Seoul for three days later this month.