Eximbank hosts forum to advance inter-Korean climate cooperation

Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) President Hwang Ki-yeon delivers opening remarks at the 2025 Korean Peninsula Climate and Environment Cooperation Forum at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Eximbank

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) said Sunday that it co-hosted the 2025 Korean Peninsula Climate and Environment Cooperation Forum with the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Friday.

The forum focused on developing concrete policies for mutually beneficial inter-Korean exchange. Participants explored pathways to revive cross-border cooperation through joint responses to climate change.

The event builds on the Korean government's five-year governance plan, unveiled in August, which outlines a vision for a peaceful, coexisting and prosperous peninsula. The forum served as an early step toward realizing that vision.

During the first session, professor Koo Kab-woo of the University of North Korean Studies moderated a lively discussion on peaceful co-existence on the Korean Peninsula. Speakers included Sogang University professor Chung Young-chul, Institute for National Security Strategy researcher Kim Il-gi, UNESCAP associate economic affairs officer Kim Sung-eun and Um Ju-hyun, secretary-general of Medical Aid for Children.

The second session featured Kim Hyo-eun, CEO of Global Industry Hub, who presented strategies to restore inter-Korean cooperation through shared climate initiatives. Participants, including Korea Environment Institute researcher Myung Soo-jung, engaged in an in-depth discussion on actionable steps forward.

Eximbank President Hwang Ki-yeon emphasized the importance of cooperation for peace, coexistence, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

"Promoting inter-Korean exchange and cooperation through practical themes such as responding to climate change can serve as an important opportunity to formulate unification policies that the public can support," Hwang said.