InterviewIreland seeks direct flights to Seoul, deeper transport and tech cooperation

Irish Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Sean Canney speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Ireland in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ireland is working with Korea to establish a bilateral aviation agreement that could pave the way for direct flights between Seoul and Ireland, Irish Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Sean Canney said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul Thursday.

Canney said officials from Ireland’s Department of Transport and Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are discussing a passenger licensing framework that would allow airlines to operate direct services between the two countries.

There are currently no direct flights between Seoul and Dublin and all routes require at least one layover.

“We are working to get an agreement in place between the two governments,” Canney said. “Once the passenger agreement is finalized, airlines can assess the viability of operating a direct service.”

More than 22,000 travelers move between Ireland and Korea each year, suggesting sufficient demand for direct connectivity, he said.

“There is a market there,” Canney said. “Business people who travel frequently between the two countries would welcome a direct flight. It would make travel simpler, more efficient and more attractive for both business and tourism.”

He added that stronger air connectivity could further stimulate trade, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.

“A direct flight reduces travel time and makes it easier for people to visit each other’s countries,” Canney said. “It helps strengthen the relationships that already exist between businesses, universities and communities in both Ireland and Korea.”

During meetings with Korean officials, Canney said discussions also covered cooperation in emerging transport technologies, particularly autonomous vehicles.

Ireland hosts a growing cluster of companies involved in research and design related to autonomous vehicles, he said, but Korea has moved faster in developing regulatory frameworks and pilot projects.

“You are a little ahead of us here in Korea,” Canney said. “We want to share ideas and experiences so we can learn from what is happening here.”

He noted that Korea’s plans to designate cities as pilot zones for autonomous vehicles and that public transportation systems could offer valuable insights for policymakers and technology developers in Ireland.

“Autonomous transport has the potential to improve safety, increase efficiency and make mobility systems more reliable,” he said. “It is important that countries share their experiences as the technology develops.”

Canney also praised Korea’s role as a global transportation and manufacturing hub, highlighting the popularity of Korean vehicles and rail technology in Ireland.

“The Hyundai Tucson is currently the number one car in Ireland,” he said. “It shows that Korean manufacturers are producing very high-quality products.”

Hyundai Rotem's hydrogen-powered locomotive / Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem

Ireland has also expanded cooperation with the Korean rail manufacturer Hyundai Rotem. The Irish government recently placed an order worth about 150 million euros ($171 million) for train carriages to be delivered by 2030.

“We have already done previous deals with the same company,” he said. “Altogether, our trade with them has probably exceeded 1 billion euros for train carriages.”

Ireland is currently investing heavily in modernizing its rail network and expanding public transportation systems to support sustainable mobility and reduce carbon emissions.

“As we expand public transport at home, we are looking closely at the technology, design and engineering expertise that companies in Korea have developed,” Canney said. “There is real potential for further partnerships in the future.”

Beyond transportation, the minister identified health care technology, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy as key areas for bilateral cooperation.

He highlighted collaboration between Irish medical technology firms and Korean institutions. Companies such as Medtronic and Irish respiratory technology company Aerogen are already working with Korean hospitals and research partners.

“These partnerships show how research in Ireland and research in Korea can come together to develop better products,” Canney said.

Energy cooperation is also expanding, particularly in technologies that support renewable power generation. Ireland currently generates about 30 percent of its electricity from wind energy and aims to increase that share to more than 60 percent through offshore wind development.

“When you generate energy from wind, you have to be able to store it and release it back into the grid when it is needed,” Canney said. “That is where storage technology becomes very important.”

Ireland has been exploring cooperation with Korean companies and institutions in areas such as battery storage systems and grid technologies that can help stabilize renewable energy supplies.

“These are challenges that many countries are facing,” he said. “By sharing knowledge and technology, we can move faster toward cleaner and more reliable energy systems.”

Ireland is also preparing major transport investments, including the MetroLink project in Dublin connecting the airport with the city center through an underground rail network.

“There is already international interest in the project,” he said. “It involves significant tunneling, and companies with experience — including those from Korea — could play a role.”

Ireland has allocated about 2 billion euros for the initial phase of the project through its Climate and Resilience Fund.

During his visit, Canney also visited the War Memorial of Korea to honor Irish individuals who fought in the Korean War while serving in U.S. and British forces.

“When you see the devastation war can cause and the loss of life involved, it reminds us how important peace and cooperation are,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging deeper economic and technological collaboration between Ireland and Korea.

“There are many opportunities for both countries to work together — in food, technology, medicine and innovation,” he said. “By building stronger partnerships, we can create better products and solutions for people around the world.”