Seoul delegation to attend Alaska energy conference to explore LNG project

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks in an opening speech via video conference during a forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea in Seoul, April 18. Yonhap

The Korean government will participate in an energy conference in the U.S. state of Alaska next week to observe the progress of a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) project there, the industry ministry said Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, a Korean delegation led by Deputy Minister Lee Ho-hyun will attend the fourth Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, scheduled for a two-day run starting Monday in Anchorage.

Lee is expected to participate in a roundtable hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, where he will represent Korea and check on the status of Alaska's LNG project firsthand.

"We plan to use this conference as an opportunity to review the progress of the Alaska project," Lee said.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy earlier invited government officials from Korea, Japan and Taiwan to attend the international gathering, which will showcase the state's efforts to foster sustainable energy industries, including wind, solar and hydropower, in addition to its large-scale LNG development.

The conference will serve as a platform for Alaska to promote its energy strategies to government representatives, business leaders and research institutions from around the world, the ministry added.